Outcomes

What dhea actually does, by outcome

Each row is one outcome with effect size, evidence base, the dose that worked in trials, and time to first effect. Magnitude tiers come from native-unit MCID where available, Cohen's d otherwise.

Outcome Effect size Evidence Dose Weeks Rank

Ease depression symptoms Not enough research

Lowers the weight of sadness, low energy, and emotional numbness over weeks.

3 meta-analyses n=1.3k 25–1600 mg 4–55 wk #3/41

22985672·25279571·26105109

large

3 meta-analyses n=1.3k Meta-analyzed

25–1600 mg

4–55 wk

#3 /41

Raise DHEA levels as you age Large effect, needs confirmation

Restores an adrenal hormone that peaks in your twenties and slides downhill.

3 RCTs n=63 50–400 mg 4–8 wk #1/3

18810712·21942436·22985672

large

3 RCTs n=63

50–400 mg

4–8 wk

#1 /3

Ease hormonal swings in menopause Large effect, needs confirmation

Smooths the estrogen drop and overactive pituitary signals behind hot flashes.

1 RCT n=48 50 mg 4 wk #1/4

21942436

large

1 RCT n=48

50 mg

4 wk

#1 /4

Improve ovulation and fertility hormones Proven modest benefit

Strengthens the estrogen and progesterone signals that drive ovulation.

5 meta-analyses n=522 50–400 mg 4–52 wk #1/10

18000094·18810712·22985672·37361534 +1 more

small

5 meta-analyses n=522 Meta-analyzed I²=97%

50–400 mg

4–52 wk

#1 /10

Sharpen focus and mental stamina Faint early signal

Concentrate longer, resist distraction, and stay mentally sharp through demanding tasks.

4 meta-analyses n=56 50–400 mg 4–52 wk

22296865·17054283·21942436·18000094

small

4 meta-analyses n=56 Meta-analyzed

50–400 mg

4–52 wk

—

Improve everyday quality of life Not enough research

Fewer days where health problems dictate what you can and cannot do.

4 meta-analyses n=1.5k 10–1600 mg 27–55 wk

18000094·25879093·17943841·25279571

trivial

4 meta-analyses n=1.5k Meta-analyzed

10–1600 mg

27–55 wk

—

Reduce belly and deep abdominal fat Barely detectable

Targets the visceral fat that wraps around your organs and drives inflammation.

2 RCTs n=161 50 mg 52 wk

18000094·21521341

trivial

2 RCTs n=161

50 mg

52 wk

—

Lose body fat Barely detectable

Body fat percentage drops and the mirror shows it before the scale does.

2 RCTs n=155 50 mg 12–52 wk

18990320·18000094

trivial

2 RCTs n=155

50 mg

12–52 wk

—

Lose weight on the scale Not enough research

Less weight on your joints, better blood markers, easier movement.

3 meta-analyses n=1.3k 25–1600 mg 52–55 wk

21566261·25279571·22712469

trivial

3 meta-analyses n=1.3k Meta-analyzed

25–1600 mg

52–55 wk

—

Outcome	Effect	Evidence	Dose	Weeks	Rank
Ease depression symptoms Not enough research	large	3 meta-analyses n=1.3k Meta-analyzed	25–1600 mg	4–55 wk	#3/41
Raise DHEA levels as you age Large effect, needs confirmation	large	3 RCTs n=63	50–400 mg	4–8 wk	#1/3
Ease hormonal swings in menopause Large effect, needs confirmation	large	1 RCT n=48	50 mg	4 wk	#1/4
Improve ovulation and fertility hormones Proven modest benefit	small	5 meta-analyses n=522 Meta-analyzed	50–400 mg	4–52 wk	#1/10
Sharpen focus and mental stamina Faint early signal	small	4 meta-analyses n=56 Meta-analyzed	50–400 mg	4–52 wk	—
Improve everyday quality of life Not enough research	trivial	4 meta-analyses n=1.5k Meta-analyzed	10–1600 mg	27–55 wk	—
Reduce belly and deep abdominal fat Barely detectable	trivial	2 RCTs n=161	50 mg	52 wk	—
Lose body fat Barely detectable	trivial	2 RCTs n=155	50 mg	12–52 wk	—
Lose weight on the scale Not enough research	trivial	3 meta-analyses n=1.3k Meta-analyzed	25–1600 mg	52–55 wk	—

Buy well

Recommended DHEA products

Real products that dose DHEA where the research does, in a clean formulation, from brands we've audited. We only list ones we'd stand behind.

Chosen for adequate DHEA dosing vs. the studied range, a clean formulation (grade A–C), and independent brand-quality audits. Not sponsored.

Risk profile

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Safety events

acne mild

increased facial hair (hirsutism) mild

oily skin mild

acne vulgaris mild

hair loss mild

minor side effects (any) mild

hirsutism mild

visual memory recall impairment (after psychosocial stressor)

Drug interactions

Paritaprevir major decreases concentration

Asunaprevir major decreases concentration

Simeprevir major decreases concentration

Glecaprevir major decreases concentration

Ritonavir major decreases concentration

Danoprevir moderate decreases concentration

Velpatasvir moderate decreases concentration

Ledipasvir moderate decreases concentration

Dasabuvir moderate decreases concentration

Simvastatin minor unknown

Co-studied with

Supplements that share evidence with dhea

Drug:Cyproterone 8 shared outcomes · d=0.31

Sources

Generated August 14, 2026

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