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DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a naturally occurring substance that is changed in the body to the hormones estrogen and testosterone. It is also manufactured and sold as a dietary supplement. The only randomized clinical trial of DHEA that has been done so far found no benefit for hot flashes. The NIH SoS conference panel added that a few small, nonrandomized studies have suggested that DHEA might possibly have some benefit for hot flashes and decreased sexual arousal, but this has not been confirmed. The side effects, risks, and benefits of using DHEA for longer than a few months have not been well studied.
Concerns have been raised about whether DHEA is safe and effective. For this reason, NCCAM is providing additional information. DHEA has been used in conventional medicine for a range of health problems other than symptoms of menopause, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Because levels of natural DHEA in the body decline with age, some people believe that taking DHEA as a supplement can help treat or prevent conditions related to aging. However, there is no good scientific evidence to support this popular notion.
NCCAM does not recommend that consumers use over-the-counter DHEA supplements for any health concerns, including for menopausal symptoms. Little is known about the long-term safety of DHEA, and scientists are not certain whether it might increase the risk for breast or prostate cancer. Therefore, consumers who have questions about whether DHEA could be of benefit for their personal situation should discuss those questions with their health care provider.
