Around the twenty-fifth year of life, the body reaches peak production of one of its most important steroid hormones. Then a slow decline begins. By the age of seventy, DHEA – dehydroepiandrosterone – drops to roughly twenty percent of its youthful value. The body uses it to build oestrogen and testosterone, which is why it’s called the „mother of hormones”. Find out why this decline affects everyone, what symptoms a deficiency causes and what genuinely supports DHEA production without reaching for supplements.
Key facts about DHEA:
- DHEA is an adrenal hormone that serves as a precursor to oestrogen and testosterone
- Production peaks between ages 20 and 25, then drops by 1-2 per cent each year
- After seventy, DHEA production falls to 10-20 per cent of its peak value
- Deficiency shows up as low libido, fatigue, low mood and dryness
- Lifestyle matters – sleep, resistance training and stress reduction support the adrenals naturally
What is DHEA?
DHEA is dehydroepiandrosterone – a steroid hormone produced mainly by the adrenal glands. It circulates in the blood as the sulphated form (DHEAS), which is more stable and easier to measure. In quantitative terms it’s the most abundant steroid hormone in the human body. It acts on its own on the brain, immune system and muscles, while also serving as a precursor for oestrogen and testosterone.
Why is DHEA called the „mother of hormones”?
The phrase reflects its role as a precursor. From a single DHEA molecule the body can produce either oestrogen or testosterone, depending on tissue, sex and life stage. In postmenopausal women, when the ovaries stop making oestrogen, adrenal DHEA becomes the main source of sex hormones. That’s why its decline with age has such broad consequences.
Why does DHEA decline with age?
The age-related decline of DHEA is a physiological process. From the third decade of life, adrenal production drops by an average of 1-2 per cent each year. By age sixty, blood levels are around one third of youthful values. The phenomenon is called adrenopause and runs independently of menopause.
The cause sits in the reticular zone of the adrenal cortex. With age this zone shrinks, while other parts of the adrenal glands carry on as usual. Chronic stress, sleep deprivation, smoking and obesity all speed the process up. Research shows (Orentreich, Rockefeller University, 1984) the reference DHEAS decline curve still used today.
What are the symptoms of DHEA deficiency?
DHEA deficiency produces non-specific symptoms that are easy to put down to „age”. Low libido, persistent fatigue, low mood, poor concentration, dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, reduced muscle strength – all of these can have many causes. The clinical picture alone isn’t enough; a blood test is essential.
The most common symptoms reported by patients with low DHEA:
- Low libido and reduced response to cues
- Persistent fatigue unrelated to physical exertion
- Lower mood and reduced motivation
- Dryness of the skin, hair and mucous membranes
- Loss of muscle mass despite an unchanged diet
Symptoms overlap with menopause, andropause, hypothyroidism and depression. That’s why DHEAS is usually measured alongside TSH, FT4, testosterone, oestradiol and cortisol.
How is DHEA (DHEAS) tested?
The test is done from venous blood, usually between 7 and 10 in the morning. Labs measure the sulphated form (DHEAS), because it’s more stable and less sensitive to daily fluctuations. Results are reported in micrograms per decilitre or micromoles per litre. Women’s levels are typically 2-3 times lower than men’s at the same age.
Reference ranges are wide and depend on sex and age. A small practical tip: if you’re testing DHEAS for prevention, ask the lab to compare your value with the range for someone 10-20 years younger – this better reflects an optimisation goal than a range tailored to your biological age. Your doctor can then judge whether the decline is on a typical curve or steeper than expected.
How does DHEA affect oestrogen, testosterone and cortisol?
DHEA is the substrate for both major sex hormones. In peripheral tissues, enzymes convert it into testosterone and then into oestradiol – the most potent form of oestrogen. The conversion ratio depends on the tissue: skin produces mainly testosterone, fat tissue leans towards oestrogens.
The relationship with cortisol is more complex. Both come from the adrenals but act in opposite directions – cortisol mobilises, DHEA softens. The DHEA-to-cortisol ratio is a marker of resilience to chronic stress. Studies show (Genazzani, Pisa, 2007) that DHEA also affected brain neurosteroids in postmenopausal women.
DHEA for women in menopause
In postmenopausal women the ovaries stop producing oestrogens, and adrenal DHEA becomes the main source of sex hormones. That’s why a deficiency in this group has wider consequences. Low libido, vaginal dryness and thinning of the mucous membranes are partly tied to low DHEA, not just to the loss of oestrogen.
Studies suggest (Panjari and Davis, Monash, 2007) that DHEA effects on libido are moderate, the effect on bone density small. DHEA isn’t a substitute for classic hormone replacement therapy. A separate category is intravaginal DHEA preparations for vaginal atrophy – the decision to use them is made by a gynaecologist. Strength training after 40 itself raises DHEA and testosterone, so resistance exercise complements any decision about supplementation.
How can you support DHEA production naturally?
DHEA production is sensitive to lifestyle. Chronic stress, poor sleep, lack of movement – each of these weakens the reticular zone and accelerates decline. The reverse is also true: changes in habits measurably improve hormonal parameters, although the effect is slow.
What genuinely supports DHEA production:
- 7 to 9 hours of sleep with a regular circadian rhythm
- Resistance training 2-3 times a week – an anabolic signal for the adrenals
- Stress reduction through meditation, breathing and time in nature
- A diet rich in cholesterol from quality sources – eggs, fish, avocado, olive oil
- Avoiding stimulants – alcohol and tobacco lower DHEAS in many studies
Sleep and cortisol regulation are essential. When cortisol stays chronically high, DHEA production falls – this phenomenon is called „pregnenolone steal”. Practices that lower cortisol (meditation, a regular Mediterranean diet, ten minutes of daily meditation) indirectly support DHEA production too.
DHEA – what science says about the „mother of hormones”
The state of knowledge on DHEA looks different today than twenty years ago. First wave of enthusiasm in the 1990s didn’t survive randomised clinical trials. The modern approach favours lifestyle – a stable circadian rhythm, movement and stress control slow adrenopause.
Text above is for educational purposes. Before considering DHEA supplementation, consult your treating doctor – an endocrinologist or gynaecologist.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about DHEA
Is DHEA legal in Poland?
DHEA is legally available in Poland without a prescription, classified as a dietary supplement, although in many EU countries the legal status varies.
What do clinical studies say about DHEA dosing?
Clinical trials have used a wide range of doses, and the optimal amount depends on age, sex, baseline DHEAS and indication, which is why the decision should be made by a doctor based on individual results.
Does DHEA help with libido?
Some studies in postmenopausal women show a moderate improvement in libido with DHEA supplementation, but the effect doesn’t appear in everyone and is smaller than with classic hormone therapy.
What are the side effects of DHEA supplementation?
The most commonly reported effects are acne, oily skin, androgenic hair growth in women, mood changes, and at higher doses a possible impact on lipid profile and other hormone levels.
References:
- Panjari M, Davis SR (2007). DHEA therapy for women: effect on sexual function and wellbeing. Human Reproduction Update. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dml059
- Labrie F, Archer D, Bouchard C, et al. (2009). Effect of intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (Prasterone) on libido and sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women. Menopause. https://doi.org/10.1097/gme.0b013e3181a48c4e
