Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA – Uses, Indications, Dosage

Patient Tools

Read, save, and share this guide

Use these quick tools to make this medical article easier to read, print, save, or share with a family member.

Patient Mode

Understand this article easily

Switch between simple English and easy Bangla patient notes. This is for education and does not replace a doctor consultation.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the body's adrenal glands. The body uses DHEA to make androgens and estrogens, the male and female sex hormones. DHEA levels peak at about age 25, then go down steadily as you get older. By the time people...

For severe symptoms, danger signs, pregnancy, child illness, or sudden worsening, seek urgent medical care.

বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

এই তথ্য শিক্ষা ও সচেতনতার জন্য। এটি ডাক্তারি পরীক্ষা, রোগ নির্ণয় বা প্রেসক্রিপশনের বিকল্প নয়।

Article Summary

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the body's adrenal glands. The body uses DHEA to make androgens and estrogens, the male and female sex hormones. DHEA levels peak at about age 25, then go down steadily as you get older. By the time people are 70 to 80 years old, their DHEA levels are only 10% to 20% those in young adults. Because levels...

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.
Reviewed content workflowUse writer and reviewer profiles for stronger trust.
Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.
Choose your reading view

Patient View highlights a simple learning journey. Clinical View reveals structure, evidence, and editorial completeness.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

  • Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
  • New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
  • Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.
1

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

2

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

3

Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

Before reading

RX Patient Tools

Use these quick guides before reading the article, or return to them when you need help preparing questions for a doctor.

Start here Choose the right pathway for symptoms, reports, medicines, or urgent warning signs. Disease article roadmap Read this topic step by step: meaning, symptoms, warning signs, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and follow-up. Treatment planner Prepare questions about treatment choices, benefits, risks, side effects, and follow-up. Family & caregiver guide Organize symptoms, reports, medicines, questions, and follow-up safely. Nutrition & diet guide Prepare food, hydration, supplement, and medicine-timing questions safely. Prevention guide Organize risk factors, protective habits, screening, and warning signs. Recovery guide Prepare a safe plan for activity, rehabilitation, warning signs, and follow-up.
Definition

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the body’s adrenal glands. The body uses DHEA to make androgens and estrogens, the male and female sex hormones. DHEA levels peak at about age 25, then go down steadily as you get older. By the time people are 70 to 80 years old, their DHEA levels are only 10% to 20% those in young adults.

Because levels of DHEA decline with age, researchers have wondered if DHEA could work as an anti-aging treatment. In older people, lower than normal levels of DHEA have been associated with fracture risk. সহজ বাংলা: হাড় দুর্বল হয়ে ভাঙার ঝুঁকি বেশি।" data-rx-term="osteoporosis" data-rx-definition="Osteoporosis means weak, fragile bones with higher fracture risk. সহজ বাংলা: হাড় দুর্বল হয়ে ভাঙার ঝুঁকি বেশি।">osteoporosis, heart disease, memory loss, and breast cancer. But there’s no proof that low levels of DHEA cause these conditions, or that taking DHEA can help prevent them. Plus DHEA supplements vary widely in quality. Many products tested don’t have the amount of DHEA in them that the label says they do.

Also, DHEA supplements can have side effects. They may lower levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol in the body, and in women they may raise levels of testosterone, as well as estrogen.

The DHEA in supplements is a synthetic hormone, so you should talk to your doctor before taking it.

Uses

Metabolic syndromeStudies show DHEA helps reduce abdominal fat and improve insulin resistance. Other studies suggest that DHEA helps reduce infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation in the arteries and reduce arterial stiffness.

Heart diseaseStudies link low DHEA levels with an increase in heart disease. Researchers aren’t sure whether supplementing with DHEA is safe or reduces risk.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)Lupus or SLE is an autoimmune disorder. That means that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissue. Several studies show that taking DHEA along with other medications helps improve quality of life for people with lupus, though it probably does not change the overall course of their disease.

Several studies have found that some people who take DHEA supplements may be able take less prescription medication. DHEA may also reduce the frequency of flare ups, enhance mental function, and boost bone mass in women with lupus. Many studies use 200 mg per day of DHEA, which can raise levels of testosterone and lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol. One study found that a lower dose — 20 to 30 mg — might also work. Most of these studies have been small. So more studies are needed to determine whether DHEA is safe and effective for people with lupus.

Adrenal insufficiencyDHEA is one of the hormones made by the adrenal glands. With adrenal insufficiency, the adrenal glands do not make enough hormones, including DHEA and cortisol. That happens either because of problems with the pituitary gland or damage to the adrenal glands themselves (also called Addison’s disease).

Several studies suggest that taking DHEA may help improve mood, fatigue, and well being. In one study, women with this condition who took DHEA supplements reported improved sexuality and sense of well being, including fewer feelings of depression and anxiety.

Adrenal insufficiency requires a doctor’s care. You shouldn’t take DHEA on your own for adrenal insufficiency. Severe adrenal insufficiency can be a medical emergency, especially when first diagnosed.

DepressionA few studies of people with major depression found that DHEA improved symptoms compared to placebo. The results aren’t entirely clear, and researchers don’t know what the long-term effects of taking DHEA might be. More research is needed. DO NOT try to treat depression by yourself. People with depression need medical care.

fracture risk. সহজ বাংলা: হাড় দুর্বল হয়ে ভাঙার ঝুঁকি বেশি।" data-rx-term="osteoporosis" data-rx-definition="Osteoporosis means weak, fragile bones with higher fracture risk. সহজ বাংলা: হাড় দুর্বল হয়ে ভাঙার ঝুঁকি বেশি।">OsteoporosisPreliminary studies suggest that DHEA may help reduce bone loss in older women. It doesn’t seem to have the same effect in men. And in one study it didn’t help women who were under age 70.

ObesityStudies using DHEA to treat overweight people have found conflicting results. Animal studies have found DHEA to help reduce body weight. Human studies found that taking DHEA didn’t change total body weight. But it did improve total body fat and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. More research is needed.

Erectile dysfunctionOne study found that DHEA helped men with erectile dysfunction (ED) get and sustain an erection, possibly because the body converts DHEA into testosterone. However, more research is needed to know whether DHEA really helps.

Improved libido in womenResearch suggests that DHEA may help improve sex drive in older women (but not younger women). More studies are needed.

AgingSince DHEA levels decline with age, some researchers have investigated whether taking DHEA supplements could slow or prevent age-related mental or physical problems. Preliminary results from the DHEAge study in France suggested DHEA may slow bone loss, improve skin health, and improve sex drive in women over 70. People in the study didn’t have any improvement in muscle function and strength. Another study found that men and women over 60 who took DHEA for 2 years didn’t have any improvement in bone density, muscle strength, insulin sensitivity, or quality of life.

In terms of memory loss, some studies have shown that DHEA improves learning and memory in people who have low DHEA levels. But other studies have not found any improvement. More research is needed.

HIVPeople with HIV tend to have low levels of DHEA. And these levels decrease even more as the disease progresses. One small study found that DHEA improved mental function in men and women with HIV. However, no human studies show whether DHEA can improve immune function in people with HIV.

MenopauseDHEA has been popular among perimenopausal women, seeking relief from menopausal symptoms, including decreased sex drive, diminished skin tone, and vaginal dryness. Studies have been mixed.

Preliminary studies show DHEA supplements raised levels of some hormones in postmenopausal women. However, DHEA supplementation in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women is controversial. Clinical studies show conflicting results as to whether DHEA can improve sexual function, metabolism, and overall well being. More studies are needed to determine whether DHEA is safe and effective.

People who believe in using DHEA claim that it relieves menopausal symptoms without increasing the risk of breast cancer or cancer of the lining of the uterus — unlike prescription hormone replacement therapy, which does increase risk of these cancers. But there is no proof that DHEA does not also increase risk of these cancers.

People with a history of cancer, or who are at high risk for cancer should not take DHEA without their doctor’s supervision. DHEA can be converted into either estrogen or testosterone in the body, which may be dangerous for women or men with a history of hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast or prostate cancer. Women with breast cancer tend to have low levels of DHEA in their bodies. Scientists don’t know whether taking DHEA may increase or reduce growth of breast cancer cells.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)DHEA levels appear to be low in people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. A small study found that DHEA was effective for use in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. But the study wasn’t well designed. More studies are needed to say for sure whether DHEA helps IBD.

Other usesStudies suggest that DHEA supplementation may be beneficial for other health conditions, including infertility, schizophrenia, cocaine withdrawal, anorexia nervosa, and dementia. More research is needed.

Available Forms

Most DHEA supplements are produced in laboratories from diosgenin, a plant sterol extracted from Mexican wild yams ( Dioscorea villosa ). Some extracts from wild yams are marketed as “natural DHEA.” Advertisers claim that these “natural” extracts are converted into DHEA by the body. But this is not true. Your body can’t covert those extracts into DHEA. For this reason, it is best to look for labels that list DHEA rather than diosgenin or wild yam extract.

It is important to choose high quality DHEA supplements. One way to avoid buying a product with contaminated DHEA is to purchase it through a professional health care provider.

DHEA is available in capsules, tablets, chewing gum, sublingual (under the tongue) drops, and topical (on the skin) creams.

How to Take It

If you are under 40, you shouldn’t take DHEA without your doctor’s supervision. Your doctor can determine whether your DHEA levels are low (less than 130 mg/dl in women and less than 180 mg/dl in men).

PediatricDO NOT give DHEA to a child unless your child’s doctor tells you to.

AdultThe dose of DHEA may depend on a person’s gender, age, and condition. Laboratory tests can assess your DHEA levels before you take it, and can monitor levels after you start. Talk to your doctor to find the right dose for you.

Higher doses have been used to treat lupus. People with lupus should not take DHEA without first talking to their doctor.

Your body makes DHEA primarily in the morning, so taking DHEA in the morning will mimic this natural rhythm.

Precautions

Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, dietary supplements should be taken only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.

People under 40 shouldn’t take DHEA unless they have low levels as determined by their doctors. People taking DHEA should have their blood levels checked every 6 months.

Very few studies have been done on the long-term safety of DHEA.

Because your body uses DHEA to make estrogen and testosterone, people with hormone-related cancers, such as breast, prostate, ovarian, adrenal, and testicular cancer, or a family history of these cancers, should not take DHEA.

DHEA may make other hormone-related conditions, such as endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome, worse.

Some experts think people with a history of depression or bipolar disorder may have side effects from using DHEA including mania and irritability.

High doses of DHEA may prompt the body to stop making the hormone. High doses may also be toxic to liver cells. At least one case of hepatitis has been reported. People who have liver disease should avoid DHEA. Some experts are concerned that DHEA may make liver problems worse.

People with insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes should not take DHEA, because it may increase insulin resistance.

DHEA may increase the production of the male hormone testosterone. Women should be aware of the risk of developing signs of masculinization. These include loss of hair on the head, deepening of the voice, growth of hair on the face, weight gain around the waist, or acne. Men should be aware of the risks of too much testosterone, such as shrinkage of the testicles, aggression, male pattern baldness, high blood pressure, and possible higher risk for testosterone-related cancers. Call your doctor if any of these symptoms occur.

Other side effects can include high blood pressure and reduced HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

The International Olympic Committee and National Football League banned the use of DHEA because its effects are similar to those of anabolic steroids.

Possible Interactions

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, or with any medications designed to alter the levels or metabolism of various hormones in your body, you should not use DHEA without talking to your doctor first.

AZT (Zidovudine)In a laboratory study, DHEA strengthened the effects of AZT, used to treat HIV. However, researchers don’t know if that would be true or safe in humans.

BarbituratesAnimal studies suggest that DHEA may strengthen the effects of barbiturates, a sedative often used to treat sleep disorders. These medicines include butabarbital, mephobarbital, pentobarbital, and phenobarbital.

CorticosteroidsLaboratory studies suggest that DHEA may increase the effects of prednisolone, used to treat infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation and other disorders.

Estrogen and testosterone therapyDHEA may affect levels of estrogen and testosterone in the body. People who are taking hormone therapy should talk to their doctors to see if their doses need to be adjusted.

Oral medications for insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes and insulinDHEA may make insulin and drugs used to lower blood sugar less effective, raising the risk of high blood sugar.

Drugs that may lower DHEA levelsDrugs that can decrease or lower the levels of DHEA in the body include:

  • Antipsychotic medications, including chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and quetiapine (Seroquel)
  • Budesonide (Pulmicort)
  • Estrogens
  • Oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
  • Dexamethasone (Decadron)
  • Metformin (Glucophage)

Drugs that may raise DHEA levelsDrugs that may increase DHEA levels in the body include:

  • Alprazolam (Xanax)
  • Amlodipine (Norvasc)
  • Anastrozole (Arimidex)
  • Nifedipine (Procardia)
  • Danocrine (Danazol)
  • Diltiazem (Cardizem)
  • Methyphenidate (Ritalin)
  • Metopirone (Metyrapone)

 

Alhaj HA, Massey AE, McAllister-Williams RH. Effects of DHEA administration on episodic memory, cortisol and mood in healthy young men: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2006;188(4):541-551.

Andus T, Klebl F, Rogler G, Bregenzer N, Scholmerich J, Straub RH. Patients with refractory Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis respond to dehydroepiandrosterone: a pilot study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther . 2003;17(3):409-414.

Arlt W, Callies F, van Vlijmen JC, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone replacement in women with adrenal insufficiency. N Engl J Med . 1999;341(14)-1013-1020.

Barad DH, Gleicher N. Increased oocyte production after treatment with dehydroepiandrosterone. Fertil Steril . 2005;84(3):756.

Barnhart KT, Freeman E, Grisso JA. The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation to symptomatic perimenopausal women on serum endocrine profiles, lipid parameters, and health-related quality of life. J Clin Endocrinol Metab . 1999;84(11):3896-3902.

Barry NN, McGuire JL, van Vollenhoven RF. Dehydroepiandrosterone in systemic lupus erythematosus: relationship between dosage, serum levels, and clinical response. J Rheumatol . 1998;25(12):2352-2356.

Baulieu EE. Thomas G, Legrain S, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate, and aging: contribution of the DHEAge study to a sociobiomedical issue. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA . 2000;97(8):4279-4284.

Bloch M, Ish-Shalom S, Greenman Y, Klein E, Latzer Y. Dehydroepiandrosterone treatment effects on weight, bone density, bone metabolism and mood in women suffering from anorexia nervosa – a pilot study. Psychiatry Res . 2012;200(2-3):544-549.

Broeder CE, Quindry MS, Brittingham K, et al. The Andro Project: Physiological and hormonal influences of androstenedione supplementation in men 35 to 65 years old participating in a high-intensity resistance training program. Arch Intern Med . 160(20):3093-3104.

Corrigan AB. Dehydroepiandrosterone and sport. [Review]. Med J Aust . 1999;171(4):206-208.

de la Torre B, Hedman M, Befrits R. Blood and tissue dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels and their relationship to chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Clin Exp Rheumatol . 1998;16(5):579-582.

Dyner TS, Lang W, Geaga J, et al. An open-label dose-escalation trial of oral dehydroepiandrosterone tolerance and pharmacokinetics in patients with HIV disease. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr . 1993;6(5):459-465.

Finckh A, Berner IC, Aubry-Rozier B, So AK. A randomized controlled trial of dehydroepiandrosterone in postmenopausal women with fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol . 2005;32(7):1336-1340.

Flynn MA, Weaver-Osterholtz D, Sharpe-Timms KL, Allen S, Krause G. Dehydroepiandrosterone replacement in aging humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metabol . 199;84(5):1527-1533.

Genezzani AD, Stomati M, Strucchi C, Puccetti S, Luisi S, Genazzani AR. Oral dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation modulates spontaneous and growth hormone-releasing hormone-induced growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 secretion in early and late postmenopausal women. Fertil Steril . 2001;76(2):241-248.

Gomez-Santos C, Hernandez-Morante JJ, Tebar FJ, Granero E, Garaulet M. Differential effect of oral dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate on metabolic syndrome features in pre- and postmenopausal obese women. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) . 2012;77(4):548-554.

Gordon C, Grace E, Emans SJ, Goodman E, Crawford MH, Leboff MS. Changes in bone turnover markers and menstrual function after short-term oral DHEA in young women with anorexia nervosa. J Bone Miner Res . 1999;14(1):136-145.

Grimley Evans J, Malouf R, Huppert F, van Niekerk JK. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation for cognitive function in healthy elderly people. Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2006;(4):CD006221.

Hansen PA, Han DH, Nolte LA. DHEA protects against visceral obesity and muscle insulin resistance in rats fed a high-fat diet. Am J Physiol . 1997;273(5 Pt 2):R1704-R1708.

Hinson JP, Raven PW. DHEA deficiency syndrome: a new term for old age? [Commentary]. J Endocrinol . 1999;163(1):1-5.

Klann RC, Holbrook CT, Nyce JW. Chemotherapy of murine colorectal carcinoma with cisplatin and cisplatin plus 3′- deoxy-3′- azidothymidine. Anticancer Res . 1992;12(3):781-787.

Kohut ML, Thompson JR, Campbell J, et al. Ingestion of a dietary supplement containing dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione has minimal effect on immune function in middle-aged men. J Am Coll Nutr . 2003;22(5):363-371.

Kurita H, Maeshima H, Kida S, et al. Serum dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-sulfate (S) levels in medicated patients with major depressive disorder compared with controls. J Affect Disord . 2013;146(2):205-212.

Labrie F. DHEA as physiological replacement therapy at menopause. J Endocrinol Invest . 1998;21(6):399-401.

Labrie F, Diamond P, Cusan L, Gomez J-L, Belanger A, Candas B. Effect of 12-month dehydroepiandrosterone replacement therapy on bone, vagina, and endometrium in postmenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab . 1997;82(10):3498-3505.

Legrain S, Girard L. Pharmacology and therapeutic effects of dehydroepiandrosterone in older subjects. Drugs Aging . 2003;20(13):949-967.

Libe R, Barbetta L, Dall’Asta C, et al. Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on hormonal, metabolic and behavioral status in patients with hypoadrenalism. J Endocrinol Invest . 2004;27(8):736-741.

Melchior CL, Ritzmann RF. Dehydroepiandrosterone enhances the hypnotic and hypothermic effects of ethanol and pentobarbital. Pharmacol Biochem Behav . 1992;43(1):223-227.

Meno-Tetang GML, Hon YY, Jusko WJ. Synergistic interaction between dehydroepiandrosterone and prednisolone in the inhibition of rat lymphocyte proliferation. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol . 1996;18(3):443-456.

Moffat SD, Zonderman AB, Harman SM, et al. The relationship between longitudinal declines in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations and cognitive performance in older men. Arch Intern Med . 2000;160(14):2193-2198.

Mortola JF, Yen SS. The effects of oral dehydroepiandrosterone on endocrine-metabolic parameters in postmenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab . 1990;71(3)696-704.

Nair KS, Rizza RA, O’Brien P, et al. DHEA in elderly women and DHEA or testosterone in elderly men. N Engl J Med . 2006;355(16):1647-1659.

Narkwichean A, Maalouf W, Campbell BK, Jayaprakasan K. Efficacy of dehydroepiandrosterone to improve ovarian response in women with diminished ovarian reserve: a meta-analysis. Reprod Biol Endocrinol . 2013;11:44.

Nestler JE, Barlascini CO, Clore JN, Blackard WG. Dehydroepiandrosterone reduces serum low density lipoprotein levels and body fat bud does not alter insulin sensitivity in normal men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab . 1988;66(1):57-61.

Nordmark G, Bengtsson C, Larsson A, Karlsson FA, Sturfelt G, Ronnblom L. Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone supplement on health-related quality of life in glucocorticoid treated female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Autoimmunity . 2005;38(7):531-540.

Panjari M, Bell RJ, Jane F, Adams J, Morrow C, Davis SR. The safety of 52 weeks of oral DHEA therapy for postmenopausal women. Maturitas . 2009;63(3):240-245.

Panjari M, Davis SR. DHEA therapy for women: effect on sexual function and wellbeing. Hum Reprod Update . 2007;13(3):239-248.

Percheron G, Hogrel JY, Denot-Ledunois S, et al. Effect of 1-year oral administration of dehydroepiandrosterone to 60- to 80-year-old individuals on muscle function and cross-sectional area: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Arch Intern Med . 2003;163(6):720-727.

Piketty C, Jayle D, Leplege A, et al. Double-blind placebo-controlled trial of oral dehydroepiandrosterone in patients with advanced HIV disease. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) . 2001;55(3):325-330.

Poretsky L, Song L, Brillon DJ, et al. Metabolic and hormonal effects of oral DHEA in premenopausal women with HIV infection: a randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled pilot study. Horm Metab Res . 2009;41(3):244-249.

Rakel D, ed. Integrative Medicine . 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012.

Reiter WJ, Pycha A, Schatzl G, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Urology . 1999;53(3):590-595.

Sawalha AH, Kovats S. Dehydroepiandrosterone in systemic lupus erythematosus. Curr Rheumatol Rep . 2008;10(4):286-291.

Schifitto G. Autonomic performance and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels in HIV-1 infected individuals; relationship to TH1 and TH2 cytokine profile. Arch Neurol . 2000;57(7):1027-1032.

Stoll BA. Review: Dietary supplements of deydroepiandrosterone in relation to breast cancer risk. Eur J Clin Nut . 1999;53(10):771-775.

Tan RS, Pu SJ. The andropause and memory loss: is there a link between androgen decline and dementia in the aging male? Asian J Androl . 2001;3(3):169-174.

Vallee M, Mayo W, Le Moal M. Role of pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone and their sulfate esters on learning and memory in cognitive aging. Brain Res Rev . 2001;37(1-3):301-312.

van Vollenhoven RF. Dehydroepiandrosterone for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. Expert Opin Pharmacother . 2002;3(1):23-31.

van Vollenhoven RF, Morabito LM, Engleman EG, McGuire JL. Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus with dehydroepiandrosterone: 50 patients treated up to 12 months. J Rheumatol . 1998;25(2):285-289.

Villareal DT, Holloszy JO. Effect of DHEA on abdominal fat and insulin action in elderly women and men: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA . 2004;292(18):2243-2248.

Voznesensky M, Walsh S, Dauser D, Brindisi J, Kenny AM. The association between dehydroepiandosterone and frailty in older men and women. Age Ageing . 2009;38(4):401-406.

Weghofer A, Kim A, Barad DH, Gleicher N. The impact of androgen metabolism and FMR1 genotypes on pregnancy potential in women with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation. Hum Reprod . 2012;27(11):3287-3293.

Weiss EP, Shah K, Fontana L, Lambert CP, Holloszy JO, Villareal DT. Dehydroepiandrosterone replacement therapy in older adults: 1- and 2-y effects on bone. Am J Clin Nutr . 2009;89(5):1459-1467.

Weiss EP, Villareal DT, Ehsani AA, Fontana L, Holloszy JO. Dehydroepiandrosterone replacement therapy in older adults improves indices of arterial stiffness. Aging Cell . 2012;11(5):876-884.

Williams JR. The effects of dehydroepiandrosterone on carcinogenesis, obesity, the immune system, and aging. Lipids . 2000;35(3):325-331.

Wolkowitz OM, Reus VI, Keebler A, et al. Double-blind treatment of major depression with dehydroepiandrosterone. Am J Psychiatry . 1999;156(4):646-649.

Yang J, Schwartz A, Henderson EE. Inhibition of 3′ axido-3′ deoxythymidine-resistant HIV-1 infection by dehydroepiandrosterone in vitro. Biochem Biophys Res Commun . 1994;201(3):1424-1432.

Yen SSC, Morales AJ, Khorram O. Replacement of DHEA in aging men and women. Potential remedial effects. Ann NY Acad Sci . 1995;774:128-142.

RX Clinical Pathway Engine

Continue through a complete learning pathway

Move from understanding the topic to symptoms, tests, treatment, medicines, monitoring, and prevention.

Search the complete library
  1. Understand the condition Begin with the essential facts and a clear explanation of the topic.
  2. Recognize symptoms Learn common symptoms, signs, and patterns of presentation.
  3. Know when to seek help Review urgent warning signs and when professional assessment may be needed.
  4. Understand causes and risks Explore causes, risk factors, mechanisms, and contributing conditions.
  5. Explore tests and diagnosis Learn how clinicians assess the condition and which investigations may be discussed.
  6. Learn treatment approaches Review general treatment categories and management principles.
  7. Understand medicines safely Continue to medicine education, uses, precautions, and monitoring.
  8. Plan monitoring and follow-up Understand monitoring, complications, rehabilitation, and follow-up learning.
  9. Review prevention and self-care Explore prevention, healthy routines, and questions to discuss with a clinician.

Conditions & Diseases

Background, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and care.

Explore this library

Tests & Investigations

Laboratory, imaging, screening, and diagnostic education.

Explore this library

Medicines

Uses, safety, monitoring, and related medicine knowledge.

Explore this library

Cancer Knowledge

Cancer types, screening, oncology, and treatment education.

Explore this library
Doctor visit helper

Prepare before seeing a doctor

A simple rural-patient checklist to help you explain symptoms clearly, ask better questions, and avoid unsafe self-treatment.

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

  • Write when the problem started and how it changed.
  • Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
  • Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
  • Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
  • Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
  • How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
  • When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

  • Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
  • Basic physical examination by a clinician
  • CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
  • Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
  • Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

  • Rest, drink safe water, and observe symptoms carefully.
  • Keep a written note of symptoms, duration, temperature, medicines already taken, and allergy history.
  • Seek medical care quickly if symptoms are severe, worsening, or unusual for the patient.

OTC medicine safety

  • For mild pain or fever, ask a registered pharmacist or doctor before using common over-the-counter pain/fever medicines.
  • Do not combine multiple pain medicines without advice, especially if you have kidney disease, liver disease, stomach ulcer, asthma, pregnancy, or take blood thinners.
  • Do not give adult medicines to children unless a qualified clinician advises it.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
  • Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
  • Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

  • Severe symptoms, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, chest pain, severe dehydration, or sudden weakness need urgent medical care.
Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider
Tests to discuss with doctor
  • Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
  • Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
  • Which tests are really needed now?
  • Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Safe pathway to proper treatment

Care roadmap for: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA – Uses, Indications, Dosage

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

Ask a health question safely

Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

Continue exploring

Explore this topic across the RX Medical Library

Open a focused A–Z pathway or continue with closely related indexed articles. These links are educational and do not replace personal medical care.

Search this topic
Diseases A–Z Drugs A–Z Lab Tests A–Z Cancer A–Z
Diseases A–Z

Foodborne Illness (also foodborne disease and colloquially referred to as food poisoning)[rx] is any illness resulting from the spoilage of contaminated food, pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or parasites that…