The adrenal glands release many hormones. Among the many hormones, it releases one is the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
They are also responsible for the production of cortisol and aldosterone. The adrenal glands are above the kidney.
DHEA levels, unlike these other hormones, decrease dramatically as you grow older. When you are about the age of 20, your DHEA levels are at their peak.
After that, they gradually fall by around 10% every decade. By the time you’re in your 70s or 80s, your DHEA levels may only be 10 to 20 percent of what they were when you were younger.
There are DHEA supplements available in both oral and topical forms.
Some people believe it will help slow down the aging process. But there is not enough evidence to back up these statements at this point.
This article will be an informative blog about DHEA. We will discuss all you need to know about this hormone.
The blog will inform you about its benefits, DHEA side effects male, female, etc.
Let us start with what it is.
What is DHEA?
DHEA is a cholesterol-derived steroid hormone. Your adrenal glands produce the most of it. Gonads, fat tissue, brain, and skin also produce small quantities of it. It serves a variety of functions in your body. DHEA can convert into estrogen and testosterone, the dominant female and male hormones. It also acts as a neurosteroid, causing neurons to become more excitable. This effect on your nervous system will help you perform better in sports. However, more research is required to back up this function.
DHEA levels are at their maximum about the age of 20. They gradually decline to less than 20% of their maximum value over the next 40 to 60 years. Low levels have links to a variety of ailments, including depression and sexual dysfunction. This might even make your dream of a bodybuilder physique questionable at older ages. However, the market does supply DHEA Bodybuilding Supplements as well.
Can DHEA Increase Men’s Testosterone Levels?
So far, there is not much empirical evidence that taking DHEA supplements will boost testosterone levels. DHEA can help stimulate testosterone output and provide a variety of benefits. This is what several small types of research state. The outcomes of several studies on DHEA vary.
According to some research, taking DHEA supplements can boost testosterone levels. This can help with exercising more efficiently. In research, eight men took a DHEA supplement. They consumed it a night before completing a high-intensity interval training exercise program. The results of DHEA supplements indicated an increase in testosterone levels. They also prevented them from drooping during exercise, according to the research.
In another study, 40 men from an erectile dysfunction clinic were randomly selected. Two groups were created. The first received a DHEA supplement every day for six months. The second group received a placebo. Those who took DHEA supplements saw a noticeable improvement in their ability to get and keep an erection. However, DHEA had no effect on testosterone levels.
One must note that DHEA does not only increases testosterone levels. There are many more benefits that the consumption of DHEA can provide. Let us now look into some of its benefits.
Benefits Of Using DHEA
DHEA is said to provide many benefits other than increasing t-levels. It might amplify your immune system efficiency.
It also helps in weight reduction and sex drive. This also aids in keeping you in a good mood.
Let us do a comprehensive study on its advantages.
DHEA’s pros for women
A variety of women’s health issues can link to DHEA treatment. It can be an effective treatment for vaginal atrophy. It is a common disorder in which the vaginal walls thin after menopause.
Menopause is a natural reduction in a woman’s reproductive hormones. It occurs about the age of 50. This drop-in hormone levels may result in vaginal dryness or inflammation of the vaginal walls. This can contribute to painful coitus also known as dyspareunia and urinary symptoms.
Consult your doctor about using prescription DHEA vaginal implants if you are suffering from vaginal atrophy. The FDA has approved vaginal inserts like prasterone, which can help women after menopause. It increases DHEA levels and relieves pain during intercourse. Some scientific evidence suggests that topical DHEA can help postmenopausal women reduce the signs of skin aging.
DHEA benefits for men
As said before, it can help increase the male hormone: testosterone. An increase in testosterone levels has a lot of benefits. It can help men regain their masculinity after a certain age. It helps men perform well in the bedroom and in the gym. An increase in testosterone can also help men get harder and prolonged erections.
DHEA is responsible for a lot of the characteristics of uncomfortable teenage years. Oily skin, body odor, and pubic hair are a few of them. As the natural supply of testosterone begins to dwindle later in life, some men may turn to DHEA supplements to raise their testosterone levels, though this benefit has yet to be proved.
According to DHEA Reviews supplementation may lead to a small but significant improvement in the body composition of older men. In younger adults, there is no proof that it can lead to muscle gain or fat loss. There is still more research needed to back up the benefits of DHEA supplementation for men.
DHEA in curing Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Erectile dysfunction (ED) occurs when a man is unable to obtain or sustain a satisfactory erection. DHEA has shown, in small studies, to support men with erectile dysfunction. Nonetheless, further research is required to validate the results.
A few studies can back up a relation between DHEA and erectile dysfunction. A study in 1999 suggested the ability to obtain and sustain an erection improved in men who took DHEA supplements.
DHEA assistance in sexual performance
Like said earlier it can help men with erectile dysfunction. Likewise, it has also seen helping women with sex too. A study showed DHEA enhanced sexual interest, lubrication, arousal, orgasm, in people with sexual dysfunction. Women who were about to reach menopause or had recently completed menopause reaped the greatest gain.
DHEA for Workouts and Exercise Routines
There is little to no evidence to link weight loss with DHEA. There are much research conducted to find a connection. Nevertheless, there has been no direct relationship between the two. Some suggest that it can help in reducing abdominal fat for people with diabetes. Some suggest that it has literally no effect on weight loss or fat shredding. There is negligible proof of DHEA bodybuilding benefits.
DHEA and immunity
Currently, there is insufficient evidence to completely comprehend DHEA’s possible impact on immune function. The findings of DHEA’s effects on a few immune diseases were not encouraging. DHEA’s possible efficacy in treating systemic lupus erythematosus is unknown. Erythematous is an inflammatory disease that causes major inflammation and kidney problems.
Depression
Extensive research connects the function of DHEA in the treatment of depression. These researches have been positive. Nonetheless, further research is required to decide if DHEA is a therapeutic agent.
A study published in 2014 showed DHEA can help treat depression that is moderate or resistant to traditional therapy. The researchers based their findings on three experiments with limited sample sizes. To draw any conclusive conclusions, further research with more participants is needed.
Aids in low adrenaline
The adrenal glands contain the majority of DHEA in your body. Cortisol and aldosterone are also produced by your adrenal glands. If your adrenal glands do not produce enough of these hormones, you have adrenal insufficiency. In people with adrenal insufficiency, taking a DHEA supplement may help improve their quality of life. DHEA shows to have a positive impact on mood, subjective wellbeing, and sexual health, according to a survey.
Helps in Bone density
DHEA deficiency has been related to low bone density. However, research into the impact of DHEA supplementation on bone health has yielded conflicting results. DHEA supplementation can preserve bone density in older women, but not in men, according to studies. More study is required to determine whether DHEA treatment is superior to estrogen therapy. There is no evidence that DHEA can help young people with bone density.
We know that there is no such thing as a free lunch. It is quite obvious to us that everything comes with a price. This is how the world works. Likewise, DHEA portrays to have quite a few side effects.
DHEA Side Effects
We know nothing about the safety of using DHEA supplements to increase testosterone in long run.
Nonetheless, there are several side effects associated with DHEA supplements.
There are some of the negative effects:
- Acne and oily skin are two common skin problems.
- Tiredness
- Hair loss is a common problem.
- I’m having trouble sleeping.
- Low blood pressure, rapid pulse
- HDL cholesterol (the “healthy” kind) is being depleted.
It is not advised to take DHEA supplements in high doses for long periods of time. DHEA supplements can only be used under the supervision of a qualified doctor. Even then hormone levels should be monitored on a regular basis.
DHEA supplements can also be dangerous to people who have or are at risk for hormone-sensitive conditions like prostate cancer. People at risk for depression, bipolar disorder, diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease are at danger too with DHEA consumption. Certain medications can interact with DHEA. Supplement safety in pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants, and those taking medications has also not been conclusive yet.
DHEA Dosage
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) dosage differs from condition to condition. DHEA bodybuilding dosage might differ from erectile dysfunction dosage. A typical daily dose ranges from 25 to 50 mg. This dosage shows no serious side effects for up to two years. However, you should consult your doctor before taking this supplement. Therefore, it varies from the need to need. The dosage is also dependent on the supplement consumed.
For instance, your healthcare provider can prescribe a vaginal insert like Intrarosa to treat vaginal atrophy (thinning of vaginal tissue) caused by menopause. This normally includes 0.5 percent DHEA and is taken once a day for a period of 12 weeks. Likewise, DHEA dosage for ED will depend on the supplement consumed and the medical condition of the man.
DHEA Supplements
The market is filled with products claiming to be the best DHEA supplements. Although there is some evidence that DHEA can be beneficial to certain populations, the majority of the research is still inconclusive. Because of its potential for severe side effects and a lack of evidence to support its use, the Mayo Clinic advises against taking DHEA. Since DHEA supplements are a banned substance by WADA and the NCAA, you should avoid them if you are an athlete. Above all, athletes are regularly tested.
Some of the supplements available in the market are:
- Coe-Dhea Plus
- Depidra
- Depidra-SR
- Dheador
This was all about DHEA, its benefits, side effects, dosage, and supplements.
There might still be a few questions in your mind.
Therefore, the next section of the blog will dedicate itself to some common questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Much DHEA Should A 50-Year-Old Man Take?
DHEA supplementation should not increase 25 to 50 grams. Studies have proven that DHEA above is detrimental to health.
So at any age and at any cost, your supplementation should not increase 50 grams.
How To Increase DHEA Naturally?
People actually do not want to increase their DHEA levels. What they ultimately want is to eliminate the effects of low DHEA levels. Well here are some tips on how to do it.
- Incorporate more physical exercise into your workout routine. This will not only help you lose weight, but it will also boost your hormone levels. Consider starting a new sport such as running, swimming, football, or weightlifting.
- Coping with pressures is vital. Stress causes a major depletion of hormones and vitality.
- Having enough rest Sleep deprivation is also a significant deficiency in hormones and vitality.
DHEA cannot be obtained from any food source. Wild yams contain a material that is similar to DHEA and is used in the laboratory to produce DHEA. DHEA is produced naturally in the body by the adrenal glands.
How Long Does It Take For DHEA To Work?
It can take from 4 months to 2 years to show effective work.
When To Take DHEA Morning Or Night?
It is preferred to take DHEA in the morning. Firstly, because one of the side effects of DHEA is insomnia. Hence if you take DHEA at night you are more prone to experience insomnia than anyone else. Secondly, our body makes DHEA primarily in the morning. It will be more effective to take DHEA supplements in the morning for greater energy levels. Above all, it is in morning people go for some exercise. Therefore, it might help you in your physical training.
What happens when your DHEA is too high?
A normal level indicates that the adrenal glands are functioning properly. Adrenal cancer or tumors may be the cause of a high DHEA level. Cushing’s disease is characterized by fat on the back of the neck and belly, a full face, swelling, and excessive hair growth. You might suffer from Cushing’s disease with high DHEA. High levels of DHEA affect kidney functions severely too.
Conclusion | DHEA, And Testosterone
DHEA’s beneficial effects are most noticeable in people who have low DHEA levels or who have some health conditions. Taking DHEA is probably not appropriate for young, healthy people. This hormone is created by the body naturally, and more of it is not always better. Supplementing with DHEA, on the other hand, maybe beneficial to some people, especially the elderly and those suffering from adrenal, sexual, or fertility issues. If you are thinking about taking this supplement, you should talk to your doctor first.