DHEA is dehydroepiandrosterone; it is a hormone that comes from the adrenal gland. It is also made in the brain. DHEA leads to the production of male and female sex hormones. DHEA levels in the body begin to decrease after age 30, decreasing more quickly in women. People with hormonal disorders, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, depression, diabetes, inflammation, immune disorders, and osteoporosis tend to have low DHEA levels. DHEA levels can be reduced by certain drugs, like corticosteroids, birth control pills, and psychiatric drugs.

In a double blind study of 24 women with a history of adrenal insufficiency, dehyroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was found to be helpful. The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (1999;341:1013-1020); and the subjects had a mean age of 42 and a nine year history of adrenal insufficiency. They were divided into two groups and given either a placebo or 50 mg. of DHEA per day. The group receiving DHEA experienced an improvement of overall well-being, and improvement in sexual interest. Scores on depression and anxiety questionnaires lowered. Levels  of androstenedione and testosterone (hormones) normalized. Cholesterol was lowered, as was sex hormone binding globulin.