DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
Adrenal-cortex steroid precursor. Converts to testosterone, estradiol, and 7-keto metabolites. Serum DHEA-S falls ~80% from peak (age 25) to age 75 — the classic 'andropause' marker.
How it clearsHalf cleared in ~10h. Most (~96%) gone by ~2d.
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Mechanism, evidence, legal path, cost — all side-by-side.
OTC supplement since 1994 (DSHEA). Most-studied at 25-50 mg/day for adrenal-insufficient patients (Arlt 1999 NEJM RCT showed improved well-being + sexual function in women with adrenal insufficiency). Off-label use in midlife covers: subjective energy/mood, libido, body-composition support, post-menopausal hormone bridge before HRT. Effects in healthy older adults are smaller than in adrenal-insufficient populations. The midlife-women cohort runs this regularly; HRT clinicians (Maximus, ForHims, Holtorf) frequently include it in their panels.
Strongest evidence is in adrenal-insufficient + perimenopausal women — healthy-younger-adult effect sizes are small. Estrogen-sensitive cancer history is a contraindication (DHEA → estradiol pathway). Banned by WADA + many sports federations. Quality-control on OTC supplements varies — third-party tested brands recommended.
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- AStrong evidence
Improves well-being + sexual function in women with adrenal insufficiency at 25-50 mg/day.
1 supporting referencesVerified today - CLimited evidence
Restores subjective energy, mood, and libido in healthy midlife adults.
1 supporting referencesVerified today
External links to PubMed searches, ClinicalTrials.gov, and FDA materials. We do not host papers — we point at canonical sources.
OTC supplement (US, DSHEA 1994) · prescription only in Canada/AU · OTC most LATAM
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