DHEA
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is a dietary supplement with 12 published peer-reviewed studies involving 1,580 participants, researched for Hormonal Health & Wellbeing, Bone Density, Sexual Function and 2 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Hormonal Health & Wellbeing
StrongBone Density
StrongSexual Function
StrongBody Composition & Metabolism
StrongAdrenal & Immune Function
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Hormonal Health & Wellbeing
To evaluate DHEA replacement on wellbeing and mood in age-related adrenal insufficiency
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover
Purpose
To evaluate DHEA replacement on wellbeing and mood in age-related adrenal insufficiency
Dose
50 mg/day DHEA
Participants
280 adults aged 60-79 with low DHEA
Duration
12 months
Results
Significant improvement in wellbeing and quality of life particularly in women. DHEA-S and testosterone normalised. Fat mass reduced. Libido improved in both sexes.
How They Measured It
Wellbeing scales, IGF-1, DHEA-S levels, quality of life
To assess effects of DHEA supplementation on wellbeing in the elderly
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To assess effects of DHEA supplementation on wellbeing in the elderly
Dose
25-100 mg/day
Participants
Meta-analysis of 23 RCTs
Duration
3-24 months
Results
Significant improvements in sexual function (SMD 0.31) and wellbeing in women. Modest effects on body composition. Bone density benefits in women.
How They Measured It
Quality of life, mood, libido, body composition across 23 RCTs
To evaluate DHEA on psychological wellbeing in postmenopausal women
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate DHEA on psychological wellbeing in postmenopausal women
Dose
50 mg/day DHEA
Participants
60 postmenopausal women
Duration
12 months
Results
Significant improvements in psychological wellbeing (p=0.02) and sexual interest. Menopausal symptoms improved. Hot flush frequency reduced.
How They Measured It
GHQ-28, Beck Depression Inventory, menopausal symptoms
Bone Density
To evaluate DHEA on bone mineral density in elderly men and women
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate DHEA on bone mineral density in elderly men and women
Dose
50 mg/day DHEA
Participants
140 men and women aged 65-75
Duration
2 years
Results
Significant increase in hip bone density in women (p=0.002). IGF-1 levels rose by 26%. Spinal bone density maintained vs loss in placebo.
How They Measured It
DXA bone density, bone turnover markers, IGF-1
To evaluate DHEA combined with vitamin D on bone density and fracture risk
Study Type
Randomised, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate DHEA combined with vitamin D on bone density and fracture risk
Dose
50 mg/day DHEA + Vitamin D 2000 IU/day
Participants
99 postmenopausal women
Duration
2 years
Results
Combined DHEA + vitamin D produced significantly greater bone density improvement than vitamin D alone (p=0.03). Bone resorption markers reduced.
How They Measured It
BMD, fracture incidence, bone biomarkers
Sexual Function
To evaluate intravaginal DHEA (prasterone) for sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate intravaginal DHEA (prasterone) for sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women
Dose
6.5 mg/day intravaginal DHEA
Participants
218 postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, and pain with intercourse vs placebo (all p<0.001). Vaginal pH normalised.
How They Measured It
Female Sexual Function Index, VAS pain with intercourse
To assess oral DHEA on male sexual function and erectile dysfunction
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess oral DHEA on male sexual function and erectile dysfunction
Dose
50 mg/day DHEA
Participants
40 men with erectile dysfunction and low DHEA-S
Duration
6 months
Results
Significant improvement in IIEF scores (p=0.02), particularly orgasmic function. Testosterone levels normalised.
How They Measured It
IIEF questionnaire, testosterone levels, DHEA-S
Body Composition & Metabolism
To evaluate DHEA on visceral fat and insulin resistance in elderly
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate DHEA on visceral fat and insulin resistance in elderly
Dose
50 mg/day DHEA
Participants
56 elderly men and women
Duration
6 months
Results
Significant reduction in visceral fat in men (p=0.003) and women (p=0.002). Insulin sensitivity improved. Adiponectin increased.
How They Measured It
CT scan visceral fat, HOMA-IR, adipokines, IGF-1
To assess DHEA effects on muscle mass and physical function in elderly women
Study Type
Randomised, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess DHEA effects on muscle mass and physical function in elderly women
Dose
50 mg/day DHEA
Participants
87 elderly women
Duration
12 months
Results
DHEA + exercise produced significantly greater lean mass increase vs exercise alone (p=0.04). Grip strength improved by 18% in combined group.
How They Measured It
DEXA lean mass, grip strength, physical function tests
Adrenal & Immune Function
To evaluate DHEA replacement in primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease)
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate DHEA replacement in primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease)
Dose
50 mg/day DHEA
Participants
39 Addison's disease patients
Duration
12 months
Results
Significant improvements in overall wellbeing, mood, and sexual function (p<0.05). Fatigue reduced. Female patients showed greater benefit.
How They Measured It
Health-related quality of life, mood, sexual function
To examine DHEA effects on immune function in elderly adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To examine DHEA effects on immune function in elderly adults
Dose
100 mg/day DHEA
Participants
32 elderly adults
Duration
20 weeks
Results
Significant enhancement in NK cell cytotoxicity and T-cell proliferative response. Improved influenza vaccine response. IL-2 production improved.
How They Measured It
Lymphocyte subsets, NK cell activity, cytokine production, vaccine response
To assess DHEA on mood and cognitive function in elderly depressed patients
Study Type
Randomised, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess DHEA on mood and cognitive function in elderly depressed patients
Dose
90-450 mg/day DHEA
Participants
46 adults with treatment-resistant depression
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Significant antidepressant effects vs placebo (p=0.001). HAM-D scores reduced by 51%. Cognitive function improved in parallel.
How They Measured It
HAM-D, MMSE, CGI, DHEA-S levels
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about DHEA research
There are currently 12 peer-reviewed studies on DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), involving 1,580 total participants. Research covers Hormonal balance, Bone density, Sexual function and 2 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (11 human studies), and reported outcomes.
DHEA has been researched for: Hormonal balance, Bone density, Sexual function, Mood & wellbeing, Immune function. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 11 out of 12 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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