Many people consider balancing their hormones the key to a long and healthy life. One of those necessary hormones is the steroid hormone DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone. Different options exist to balance hormones, supplementing a DHEA topical cream or tablet is a popular option. For those considering taking DHEA, the question may be, "Does DHEA really work?" The short answer is yes, and here's why.

What is DHEA?

DHEA is a hormone generated in the adrenal glands. In turn, it's a precursor (foundation) for other essential male and female sex hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen. When DHEA enters the bloodstream, for example, the hormone changes to testosterone or estrogen. 

Similar to testosterone, DHEA levels decrease as men age. Women produce smaller amounts of DHEA, too. Since lowering DHEA levels is a natural part of life, taking a DHEA supplement may not be necessary. However, for some men suffering from low testosterone or DHEA, it does work to boost their levels. (1)

Benefits of DHEA

Men and women store surplus DHEA in the body. The body changes the DHEA into vital hormones, as needed. When it comes to balancing hormones with DHEA, science has always been skeptical, making more research necessary in understanding the actual function of DHEA for certain bodily functions. However, early studies indicate that DHEA may support the following: (2)

• Building strong muscles
• Increases bone density
• Balancing and enhancing mood
• Improving brain cognition
• Fighting cell deterioration or aging
• Reducing inflammation in the body
• Helping to prevent strokes
• Increasing sex drive

Symptoms of low DHEA 

Low DHEA affects each person differently. The following are some common signs you may need a DHEA topical cream to balance your hormones.

Extreme tiredness

Fatigue makes everyday life difficult. One reason for feeling tired each day may be due to a DHEA deficiency. The Journal of Clinical Rheumatology indicated that DHEA supplementation helped improve chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).  (3)

Depression

If you're living with depression, you're not alone. The 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) revealed that 18 million adults had depression for more than two weeks, at least one time. (4) DHEA supplementation may help alleviate melancholy associated with depression, according to Harvard Medical School. (5)

Sexual desire

Having a healthy sex life brings out deep feelings of happiness. Conversely, if you lack sexual desire, it can cause problems in relationships but lower self-esteem and happiness. Research indicates a connection between low DHEA levels and sexual appetite. 

The New England Journal of Medicine published a small study showing that DHEA improved sex drive for the women participants. (6)

Immune system function

Your body's efficiency in fighting disease changes as one becomes older. Many factors play a role in your ability to fight disease, but there could be a connection between low DHEA levels and the immune systems. Supplementing with DHEA boosted immune function according to some preliminary studies. It may also fight inflammation. (7) 

When you have low DHEA levels, your quality of life suffers.  Applying a topical DHEA cream does really work.  It may be the answer you’re looking for today.

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12899651/
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308684#medical-use
3. https://europepmc.org/article/med/19078357
4. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cbhsq-reports/NSDUHDetailedTabs2017/NSDUHDetailedTabs2017.htm#tab8-56A
5. https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/In_brief_DHEA_for_depression
6. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejm199909303411401
7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0083672918300347#:~:text=DHEA%20also%20plays%20an%20important,et%20al.%2C%201991)