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DHEA
DHEA is a hormone, not a vitamin.
- Evidence
- Mixed Evidence
- Category
- Men's Health
- Best form
- Micronized DHEA (smaller particle size for absorption)
- Effective dose
- 25-50mg/day in the morning for adults over 40 with low DHEA-S
- Lab tested
- 7 of 10 products
- Category
- Men's Health
- Best form
- Micronized DHEA (smaller particle size for absorption)
- Effective dose
- 25-50mg/day in the morning for adults over 40 with low DHEA-S
- Lab tested
- 7 of 10 products
Key takeaways
- →Strong evidence only for diagnosed adrenal insufficiency at 25-50mg/day; the general anti-aging case is largely unsupported by the largest 2-year NEJM trial.
- →Banned by WADA, NCAA, MLB, NFL, and most major sports bodies. If you compete at any level, do not take DHEA.
- →Skip if under 40, pregnant, breastfeeding, or with any history of hormone-sensitive cancer (breast, prostate, ovarian, uterine) or liver disease.
- →Quality control is poor across the category. Buy only from brands that publish a certificate of analysis confirming actual DHEA content.
What Is DHEA?
DHEA is a hormone, not a vitamin. Treat it like one. The strongest evidence is narrow: replacement in adults with diagnosed adrenal insufficiency, where 25-50mg/day improves well-being, mood, and libido in placebo-controlled trials (Arlt 1999, Bornstein 2016 Endocrine Society guideline). For everyone else the case is much weaker. The "anti-aging" framing rests on the observation that DHEA-S levels fall about 80% from age 25 to age 75, but the largest trial in healthy older adults (Nair 2006, NEJM, 2 years, n=144) found no benefit on body composition, physical performance, insulin sensitivity, or quality of life. If you are under 40 and otherwise healthy your DHEA-S is normal, supplementing is unstudied, and the risks (acne, hair changes, voice deepening in women, theoretical hormone-sensitive cancer risk) are real.
Two areas have early but not conclusive signals. Small trials in midlife depression (Wolkowitz 1997, Bloch 1999) showed reductions in depression scores at 90-450mg/day, with about 60% response on DHEA versus 20% on placebo in Bloch's crossover, but these were short trials in fewer than 30 patients. Bone mineral density in older adults (Jankowski 2006, n=140 over 12 months) showed a modest 2.2% gain in lumbar spine BMD in women only, with no fracture data. Neither of these would clear an FDA bar for an indication.
For IVF in poor ovarian responders the evidence is conflicted. Some retrospective studies and a recent network meta-analysis suggest improved oocyte yield and clinical pregnancy rates with 75mg/day DHEA pretreatment, but the largest systematic review (Bosdou 2012, Hum Reprod Update) found no significant difference in live birth rates. Recent RCTs are heterogeneous and use Bologna criteria that may not generalize. Discuss with a reproductive endocrinologist, do not self-prescribe.
Two regulatory points matter. First, DHEA is banned by WADA, NCAA, MLB, NFL, and most major sports bodies as an anabolic agent. If you compete you cannot take it. Second, DHEA quality control is poor: Parasrampuria 1998 (JAMA) found wide variance in actual DHEA content across commercial products, with some labels off by 50% or more. Buy from brands that publish a certificate of analysis.
Skip DHEA if you have any history of hormone-sensitive cancer (breast, prostate, ovarian, uterine), liver disease, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. The "vitality" and general anti-aging marketing is not supported by the evidence.
Does It Work? The Evidence
How A-F grades workReplacement therapy in adrenal insufficiency
Arlt et al. 1999 NEJM RCT (n=24): 50mg/day improved well-being, mood, anxiety, sexual interest in women with adrenal insufficiency; Bornstein 2016 Endocrine Society guideline suggests trial of DHEA in primary adrenal insufficiency with low libido or persistent symptoms
Depression in midlife adults
Wolkowitz 1997 open-label (n=6): improved depression and memory scores; Bloch 1999 RCT crossover (n=15): 60% response on DHEA vs 20% placebo at 90-450mg in midlife dysthymia. Trials small.
Bone mineral density in older women
Jankowski 2006 RCT (n=140, 12 months, 50mg/day): modest 2.2% lumbar spine BMD gain in women only, no fracture data; effect appears mediated by conversion to estrogens
IVF outcomes in poor ovarian responders
Bosdou 2012 Hum Reprod Update systematic review: no significant improvement in clinical pregnancy or live birth with DHEA; later network meta-analyses suggest improved oocyte yield but inconsistent pregnancy outcomes
General anti-aging, body composition, physical performance
Nair 2006 NEJM RCT (n=144, 2 years): DHEA in elderly women and DHEA or testosterone in elderly men showed no benefit on body composition, physical performance, insulin sensitivity, or quality of life
Libido and sexual function
Arlt 1999 showed sexual interest improvement in adrenal insufficiency; data in healthy older adults more mixed; vaginal prasterone (Intrarosa) is FDA-approved for postmenopausal dyspareunia but oral DHEA evidence in healthy women is limited
| Grade | Claimed Benefit | Key Studies | Our Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Replacement therapy in adrenal insufficiency | Arlt et al. 1999 NEJM RCT (n=24): 50mg/day improved well-being, mood, anxiety, sexual interest in women with adrenal insufficiency; Bornstein 2016 Endocrine Society guideline suggests trial of DHEA in primary adrenal insufficiency with low libido or persistent symptoms | Supported |
| C | Depression in midlife adults | Wolkowitz 1997 open-label (n=6): improved depression and memory scores; Bloch 1999 RCT crossover (n=15): 60% response on DHEA vs 20% placebo at 90-450mg in midlife dysthymia. Trials small. | Early Signal |
| C | Bone mineral density in older women | Jankowski 2006 RCT (n=140, 12 months, 50mg/day): modest 2.2% lumbar spine BMD gain in women only, no fracture data; effect appears mediated by conversion to estrogens | Early Signal |
| B | IVF outcomes in poor ovarian responders | Bosdou 2012 Hum Reprod Update systematic review: no significant improvement in clinical pregnancy or live birth with DHEA; later network meta-analyses suggest improved oocyte yield but inconsistent pregnancy outcomes | Conflicted |
| A | General anti-aging, body composition, physical performance | Nair 2006 NEJM RCT (n=144, 2 years): DHEA in elderly women and DHEA or testosterone in elderly men showed no benefit on body composition, physical performance, insulin sensitivity, or quality of life | Not There Yet |
| C | Libido and sexual function | Arlt 1999 showed sexual interest improvement in adrenal insufficiency; data in healthy older adults more mixed; vaginal prasterone (Intrarosa) is FDA-approved for postmenopausal dyspareunia but oral DHEA evidence in healthy women is limited | Early Signal |
How to Choose: Forms, Doses & What Matters
Clinical dose: 25-50mg/day in the morning for adults over 40 with low DHEA-S; adrenal insufficiency replacement uses prescribed 25-50mg/day
Best forms: Micronized DHEA (smaller particle size for absorption), Standard DHEA capsules (25mg or 50mg), 7-Keto DHEA (a non-androgenic metabolite, marketed for thermogenesis, not interchangeable with regular DHEA)
Take 25-50mg in the morning with food to mimic the body's natural diurnal pattern (DHEA peaks in the early morning). Start at 25mg and reassess after 8-12 weeks with a DHEA-S blood test to see if levels are responding. For adrenal insufficiency replacement, follow your endocrinologist's protocol exactly. Doses above 50mg/day are not recommended for general use and are associated with more side effects without clear added benefit outside specific clinical settings (IVF pretreatment uses 75mg/day under reproductive endocrinology supervision). Get baseline bloodwork: DHEA-S, total and free testosterone, estradiol, and a lipid panel. Recheck at 3 months. Discontinue if androgenic side effects appear.
Who Should Take DHEA?
Adults with diagnosed adrenal insufficiency on glucocorticoid replacement whose endocrinologist suggests a 6-month DHEA trial (per Endocrine Society 2016 guidance). Postmenopausal women working with a clinician on perimenopause symptoms or low libido. Women undergoing IVF as poor responders, only with a reproductive endocrinologist guiding pretreatment. Adults over 40 with a measured low DHEA-S level and a specific clinical reason to supplement. In all cases this is a hormone, not a vitamin, and ideally taken with baseline and follow-up bloodwork.
Who Should Avoid It?
Not for everyone
Side Effects & Safety
Product Scores
10 products scored on dosing accuracy, third-party testing, cost per effective dose, and label transparency.
The Scorecard: 10 Products Compared
DHEA 25 mg (Micronized)
Pure Encapsulations$38.00 ÷ 181 days at 25mg/day (1 serving × 25mg)
Pure Encapsulations is the brand most commonly stocked by integrative and functional medicine clinicians, useful if you want consistency with what your provider already recommends
Prices checked 2026-04-26. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
DHEA 25 mg
Life Extension$16.00 ÷ 100 days at 25mg/day (1 serving × 25mg)
Life Extension is one of the few mainstream brands that built its reputation on hormone supplementation, so dosing and labeling are tight
Prices checked 2026-04-26. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
DHEA 25 mg
Jarrow Formulas$16.50 ÷ 92 days at 25mg/day (1 serving × 25mg)
Jarrow is a solid mid-market option, equivalent quality tier to Life Extension at a similar price. Amazon listing returned 404 at audit time 2026-04-26; check the Jarrow brand site or wait for the SKU to relist.
Prices checked 2026-04-26. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
DHEA 5 mg (Micronized)
Pure Encapsulations$18.00 ÷ 60 days at 5mg/day (1 serving × 5mg)
The right product if your endocrinologist wants you to start very low; the wrong product if 25-50mg is your target dose
Prices checked 2026-04-26. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
DHEA 25 mg
Country Life
$18.00 ÷ 90 days at 25mg/day (1 serving × 25mg)
Best fit if vegan/kosher certification matters to you; equivalent quality otherwise to Jarrow and Life Extension
Prices checked 2026-04-26. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
DHEA 25 mg
Nutricost$16.00 ÷ 229 days at 25mg/day (1 serving × 25mg)
Best value if you have already discussed DHEA use with your clinician and just need a clean 25mg cap at the lowest cost per dose
Prices checked 2026-04-26. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
DHEA 50 mg
Nutricost$23.00 ÷ 230 days at 50mg/day (1 serving × 50mg)
Only appropriate after baseline DHEA-S bloodwork and a clinician-directed plan; do not start here
Prices checked 2026-04-26. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
7-Keto DHEA Metabolite 100 mg
Life Extension$30.00 ÷ 60 days at 100mg/day (1 serving × 100mg)
A different product entirely from regular DHEA; relevant only if a clinician has specifically suggested 7-keto, not a substitute for DHEA replacement
Prices checked 2026-04-26. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
DHEA 25 mg
Nature's Bounty
$13.00 ÷ 100 days at 25mg/day (1 serving × 25mg)
Use only if budget is the dominant constraint and you accept the lower confidence in label accuracy; a hormone is not the place to bargain-shop hardest. Amazon listing returned 404 at audit time 2026-04-26; check the brand's Amazon storefront for current SKU.
Prices checked 2026-04-26. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) Powder 500g
BulkSupplements
$200.00 ÷ 20000 days at 25mg/day (1 serving × 25mg)
Not recommended for typical consumer use; the dose-precision issue with a hormone is too high a risk versus capsule formats
Prices checked 2026-04-26. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Full Comparison
| Category | DHEA 25 mg (Micronized) Pure Encapsulations | DHEA 25 mg Life Extension | DHEA 25 mg Jarrow Formulas | DHEA 5 mg (Micronized) Pure Encapsulations | DHEA 25 mg Country Life | DHEA 25 mg Nutricost | DHEA 50 mg Nutricost | 7-Keto DHEA Metabolite 100 mg Life Extension | DHEA 25 mg Nature's Bounty | DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) Powder 500g BulkSupplements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand Score | 88/100Winner | 86/100 | 81/100 | 80/100 | 79/100 | 78/100 | 76/100 | 74/100 | 70/100 | 65/100 |
| Dosing & Form | 25/25Winner | 22/25 | 22/25 | 17/25 | 22/25 | 22/25 | 22/25 | 19/25 | 22/25 | 13/25 |
| Purity | 22/25Winner | 19/25 | 16/25 | 22/25 | 16/25 | 19/25 | 19/25 | 19/25 | 13/25 | 19/25 |
| Value | 18/25 | 22/25 | 22/25 | 18/25 | 21/25 | 23/25Winner | 21/25 | 13/25 | 22/25 | 20/25 |
| Transparency | 23/25Winner | 23/25 | 21/25 | 23/25 | 20/25 | 14/25 | 14/25 | 23/25 | 13/25 | 13/25 |
| Cost/Day | $0.21 | $0.16 | $0.18 | $0.30 | $0.20 | $0.07 | $0.10 | $0.50 | $0.13 | $0.01Winner |
| Dose/Serving | 25mg | 25mg | 25mg | 5mg | 25mg | 25mg | 50mg | 100mg | 25mg | 25mg |
| Form | Micronized DHEA capsules | DHEA capsules | DHEA vegetarian capsules | Micronized DHEA capsules | DHEA vegan capsules | DHEA capsules | DHEA capsules | 7-Keto DHEA capsules | DHEA tablets | DHEA powder (bulk) |
| Third-Party Tested | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | No | ✓ Yes | No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | No | ✓ Yes |
| Proprietary Blend | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between DHEA and 7-keto DHEA?
7-keto DHEA is a metabolite of DHEA that does not convert to androgens or estrogens in the body. It is marketed for thermogenesis and weight management at 100-200mg/day. The two are not interchangeable. Regular DHEA gives you hormonal effects (good or bad) because it converts to testosterone and estrogen. 7-keto does not, which means it also does not give you the mood, libido, or bone benefits attributed to regular DHEA. If your goal is hormonal, you want micronized DHEA. If you specifically want a non-hormonal compound, 7-keto is a different product.
Is DHEA banned in sports?
Yes. DHEA is on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list as an anabolic agent and is banned by the NCAA, MLB, NFL, NBA, FIFA, the IOC, and most other major sporting bodies at all times, in and out of competition. A positive test will result in suspension. If you are subject to drug testing at any level, do not take DHEA, including products labeled as 7-keto if they are not third-party sport certified, because cross-contamination is a known issue in the supplement category.
Should young people take DHEA?
No. Your DHEA-S level is naturally at its lifetime peak in your 20s and early 30s. Supplementing on top of normal levels is unstudied, has no demonstrated benefit, and exposes you to androgenic side effects (acne, hair changes, voice deepening in women) and theoretical hormone-sensitive cancer risk. Most clinical research is in adults over 50. If you are under 40 and have symptoms you think are hormonal, get blood tests for testosterone, estradiol, thyroid, and DHEA-S before reaching for any hormonal supplement.
Should I get a DHEA blood test before taking it?
Yes. A baseline DHEA-S (the sulfated form, the standard blood test) tells you whether your levels are actually low for your age. If you are in the normal range, you do not need supplementation, and adding hormone on top of normal levels is not recommended. If you do supplement, recheck DHEA-S, total testosterone, and estradiol at 3 months to confirm levels are in a physiologic range and not pushed above. Many adults with vague fatigue or low libido symptoms have normal DHEA-S, and the cause is something else.
Does DHEA interact with hormone medications?
Yes. DHEA can affect the action of estrogen replacement therapy, testosterone replacement, oral contraceptives, tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, and corticosteroids, because DHEA converts to both androgens and estrogens in peripheral tissues. It may also interact with insulin and blood sugar medications, anticoagulants, and some antidepressants. Do not start DHEA if you are on any hormonal therapy without an endocrinologist or oncologist consult. The interaction risk is real, not theoretical.
Why are DHEA supplement labels so unreliable?
A 1998 JAMA quality-control study (Parasrampuria) found that actual DHEA content in commercial products varied widely from the label claim, in some cases by 50% or more. The category has improved but remains inconsistent. Because DHEA is a hormone, getting half the dose or twice the dose matters more than for most supplements. Buy only from brands that publish a third-party certificate of analysis confirming the actual DHEA milligram content per capsule.
Will DHEA boost my testosterone or build muscle?
Not in any meaningful way for healthy adults. DHEA does convert to testosterone in peripheral tissues, but the largest 2-year RCT in older adults (Nair 2006, NEJM) found no benefit on body composition, muscle strength, or physical performance versus placebo. The testosterone increases seen in trials are small and have not translated to functional gains. If your goal is testosterone or muscle, DHEA is not the right tool. Get a real testosterone test and discuss with a doctor if it is genuinely low.
Sources
- Arlt W, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone replacement in women with adrenal insufficiency. N Engl J Med. 1999;341(14):1013-20.
- Bornstein SR, et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Adrenal Insufficiency: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(2):364-89.
- Nair KS, et al. DHEA in elderly women and DHEA or testosterone in elderly men. N Engl J Med. 2006;355(16):1647-59.
- Wolkowitz OM, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) treatment of depression. Biol Psychiatry. 1997;41(3):311-8.
- Bloch M, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone treatment of midlife dysthymia. Biol Psychiatry. 1999;45(12):1533-41.
- Jankowski CM, et al. Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone replacement therapy on bone mineral density in older adults: a randomized, controlled trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(8):2986-93.
- Bosdou JK, et al. The use of androgens or androgen-modulating agents in poor responders undergoing in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2012;18(2):127-45.
- Parasrampuria J, Schwartz K, Petesch R. Quality control of dehydroepiandrosterone dietary supplement products. JAMA. 1998;280(18):1565.
- World Anti-Doping Agency. Prohibited List - Anabolic Agents (S1).
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products discussed on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.