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DHEA can have positive effects for women, such as increased energy, improved spinal bone density, relief of menopausal symptoms, and increased libido, but can also have negative effects such as facial hair growth and an increased risk of breast cancer or heart disease. Doctors generally do not recommend DHEA supplements, and alternative health care practitioners prescribe much lower doses.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a precursor to testosterone and estrogen produced by the adrenal glands. There are definite advantages and disadvantages to the use of DHEA for women. Some of the positive reasons for taking this hormone may include improved energy, increased spinal bone density, relief of menopausal symptoms, and increased libido. The negative aspects of DHEA for women can include facial hair growth, a deepening voice, an increased risk of breast cancer or heart disease, and acne and thickening of the skin. DHEA supplements are not generally recommended by doctors, and are prescribed in much lower doses by their prescribers.
DHEA is at its highest when a person is in their 20s and declines with age. Scientists don’t know exactly why this happens, but some think that supplementing with the hormone may reduce the effects of aging. As part of a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic, men and women 60 years of age and older took DHEA for two years. Although the participants’ blood DHEA levels were comparable to those of a young adult, none of the test subjects showed an improvement in insulin sensitivity, quality of life, percentage body fat, or physical performance. all of which are characteristics of aging. Some nutritional companies still insist that this hormone will turn back time, but there isn’t much evidence to support this blanket claim.
Increased energy and well-being may be a positive effect of DHEA for women. The University of Maryland Medical Center found that DHEA increased the energy levels of women with chronic fatigue syndrome. The women in the study took 50 to 200 mg of DHEA daily. Research by the University of Michigan Health System found that women with documented adrenal insufficiency and depleted DHEA levels may benefit from a 50mg supplement every day.
Improved spinal bone density may be another good reason to recommend DHEA for women. Saint Louis University conducted a two-year study on the effects of DHEA on spinal bone density. The study revealed that study participants’ bone density increased by 2 percent when DHEA was taken with vitamin D and calcium supplements. NYU Langone Medical Center found that the hormone could be beneficial for women over the age of 70 who are battling osteoporosis. It can also help prevent osteoporosis in women of all ages with anorexia.
DHEA for women can relieve the symptoms of menopause. The University of Michigan Health System found that DHEA for women is particularly helpful in reducing symptoms of emotional lability or sudden mood swings, such as crying for no apparent reason. They hypothesize that the hormone allows the brain to better respond to a woman’s natural endorphins, the “feel good” hormones. The researchers caution that use of the hormone for menopausal symptoms should only be done under the supervision of a doctor.
The New England Journal of Medicine reported on a German study in which scientists looked at the effects of DHEA on libido in women diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency. After four months of treatment with 50 mg of DHEA daily, the women reported stronger sexual desire and greater satisfaction, as well as fewer episodes of anxiety and other psychological problems.
The disadvantage of DHEA for women was evident in this German study when approximately 20 percent of the participants reported the side effects of acne, oily skin, unwanted body hair, and some loss of head hair. Most studies show that side effects appear when women take 25 to 50 mg of the supplement per day. At 100 mg per day, the voice may deepen and facial hair may become thicker. Even higher doses can cause liver damage, an increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer, and heart disease. Interestingly, the researchers conducting the two-year Mayo Clinic study found no side effects they considered clinically significant.
Most doctors discourage the use of DHEA for women unless there is a documented hormone deficiency. Alternative health care practitioners who prescribe DHEA recommend much lower doses than those available without a prescription. Women often start with a prescription of just 5mg per day. Both conventional and alternative doctors advise taking the supplement only under the supervision of a medical professional.
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