peptides and dhea FAQ

There isn’t much research on how DHEA supplements can affect your menstrual cycle. Experts don’t think DHEA significantly changes menstrual patterns. But if you take high doses of DHEA, it may affect your hormone levels. This may cause irregular periods in women who usually have a typical cycle.

A version of DHEA supplement known as 7-Keto has been widely promoted as an aid for lowering body fat and boosting metabolism. The idea is that leaner body tissue and higher metabolism will burn calories more efficiently, making it easier to not only lose weight but also keep it off. Unfortunately, most of the studies have shown little effect from DHEA in losing weight or increasing metabolism.

If you’re thinking of using DHEA supplements, talk to your doctor first. Many of the claims for DHEA involve serious medical conditions. These conditions need to be examined and treated by a health care professional. Taking DHEA supplements also comes with side effects and other risks. A doctor can tell you whether it’s OK to try DHEA.

Because there isn’t much research on DHEA supplements, it’s hard to say how long it may take to work. It also depends on your body, what you’re taking it for, how much you’re taking, and how often. For example, if you’re taking it to ease menopause symptoms, you may see results in four weeks. But if you’re taking it for adrenal insufficiency, you may not see results for up to six months.Your doctor can tell you what to expect.

We need more research to know whether DHEA supplements are safe. The FDA has only approved one form of DHEA to treat menopause symptoms. Although some dietary supplements contain DHEA, they’re not regulated by the FDA. That means the supplements could have other ingredients that aren’t listed and may not be safe or effective. Never take DHEA supplements without talking to your doctor.

Because DHEA levels fall with age, some researchers think taking DHEA supplements might help fight aging. And some small studies have found positive antiaging effects from the use of DHEA supplements. But a similar number of studies have reported no effect. DHEA supplements don’t seem to affect the aging process. Also, researchers don’t know enough about the long-term effects of DHEA use. There’s some concern that using DHEA supplements for long periods could be harmful.

DHEA supplements are sometimes used by athletes because of a claim that DHEA can improve muscle strength and athletic performance. That’s because DHEA is a prohormone, a substance that can increase the level of steroid hormones such as testosterone. There’s little evidence to show that DHEA has any effect on boosting muscle strength. Its use is banned by sports organizations such as the National Football League, Major League Baseball, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are risks associated with using any pre-steroid enhancer. And the higher the dose, the greater the risk. Possible side effects include:

Yes. Taking too much DHEA can worsen the potential risks and side effects.

DHEA stands for dehydroepiandrosterone. It is a hormone made by your adrenal glands, which are located just above your kidneys. Scientists don’t know everything DHEA does. But they do know that it works as a precursor to male and female sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. Precursors are substances that your body turns into active hormones. DHEA production peaks in your mid-20s. In most people, DHEA levels gradually decline with age. Testosterone and estrogen levels also generally decline with age. DHEA supplements can boost the level of these hormones. That’s why a number of claims have been made about their potential health benefits. Those claims range from benefits such as:

DHEA supplements are human-made versions of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone. You can find them as:

Doctors usually recommend DHEA supplements for women who have adrenal insufficiency, says Sasha Hakman, MD, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist at HRC Fertility in Beverly Hills, California. Primary adrenal insufficiency is a condition in which your body makes too little cortisol and aldosterone (ALD). ALD is a hormone that helps keep your blood pressure in check. “Supplementation is particularly helpful in this case, if there are persistent symptoms such as low libido, fatigue, or depression, despite adequate treatment for the disease,” Hakman says.