DHEA for Women Over 40: What the Research Really Says

Somewhere in your 40s, you may start noticing changes — in energy, in skin, in how your body responds to workouts, and in your cycle. Along the way, you might also come across DHEA, a supplement often marketed as an "anti-aging hormone." So what is it, what does the science actually show for women, and is it right for you?

This guide to DHEA for women over 40 gives you a balanced, research-based look, so you can have an informed conversation with your healthcare provider.

What Is DHEA?

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone made mainly by your adrenal glands. Your body uses it as a building block to produce other hormones, including androgens (like testosterone) and estrogens. That's an important point: DHEA is not a vitamin or a botanical — it is a hormone, and taking it can change your hormone levels.

If you'd like a general overview of DHEA and aging, read our earlier post, Is DHEA the Fountain of Youth?. Active? See DHEA & R.P.M. for the fitness angle. Here, we focus specifically on women over 40.

How DHEA Levels Change With Age

DHEA levels typically peak in early adulthood and decline gradually afterward. By later life, levels are much lower than in your 20s. This natural decline is one reason DHEA attracted interest as a possible way to support healthy aging (Endocrine Society, 2023).

A lower level with age is normal; it isn't, on its own, a sign that something needs to be "fixed."

Why Women Over 40 Are Interested in DHEA

The years around perimenopause and menopause bring big hormonal shifts. As estrogen and progesterone change, many women look for ways to support:

• Energy and overall sense of well-being
• Skin appearance and hydration
• Bone and muscle health as part of an active lifestyle
• Intimacy and sexual well-being

Because DHEA is a precursor to both estrogens and androgens, it's natural to wonder whether it might help. Here's what the evidence says.

What Does the Research Show About DHEA and Menopause?

Well-Being and Quality of Life

A Cochrane systematic review of 28 trials in more than 1,200 peri- and postmenopausal women found no evidence that DHEA improved quality of life compared with placebo. It was unclear whether DHEA affected menopausal symptoms, because study results were inconsistent (Scheffers et al., 2015).

Similarly, a two-year randomized trial in older women and men published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that DHEA did not produce meaningful improvements in quality of life or physical performance (Nair et al., 2006).

Sexual Well-Being

The same Cochrane review found that DHEA may slightly improve sexual function compared with placebo, though the effect was small and the evidence quality was moderate to low (Scheffers et al., 2015).

Worth knowing: a prescription form of DHEA (prasterone) used as a low-dose vaginal insert is FDA-approved for painful intercourse related to menopause. That is a regulated drug used under medical supervision — not the same thing as an over-the-counter oral supplement (Endocrine Society, 2023).

Bone, Muscle, and Skin

In studies that used 25–50 mg/day of DHEA for one to two years (amounts studied in research, not a dosing recommendation), researchers saw small improvements in bone density at some sites in postmenopausal women, possibly related to rising estradiol levels. Improvements in muscle strength were generally not seen (Endocrine Society, 2023). A small study suggested possible benefits for skin hydration and firmness in older adults, but more research is needed (Mayo Clinic).

The Bottom Line on Evidence

Major medical organizations do not recommend routine DHEA use for women. The Endocrine Society's clinical practice guideline recommends against the routine use of DHEA in women, citing limited data on effectiveness and long-term safety (Wierman et al., 2014). Its 2023 scientific statement concludes that current studies "do not support the widespread use of DHEA supplementation as an anti-aging agent." Mayo Clinic also notes there is little evidence to support anti-aging claims.

In other words: DHEA is not a fountain of youth. For some women, under a provider's guidance, it may be part of a broader wellness plan — but it's a personal decision that deserves professional input.

Safety: Who Should Avoid DHEA or Talk to a Doctor First

Because DHEA is a hormone, safety matters more than with most supplements. According to Mayo Clinic and other medical sources:

Do Not Use DHEA If You:

• Are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding
• Have, or have had, a hormone-sensitive condition such as breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer, or endometriosis — DHEA can raise estrogen and testosterone levels
• Are under age 18

Talk to Your Doctor First If You:

• Have PCOS or already have higher androgen levels
• Have heart disease, high cholesterol, or liver problems (DHEA may lower HDL "good" cholesterol)
• Have a history of depression, bipolar disorder, or other mood conditions
• Take estrogen or hormone therapy, testosterone, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or sedatives such as triazolam — interactions are possible
• Take any prescription medication or have an upcoming surgery

Possible Side Effects

The most common DHEA side effects in women are androgen-related: acne, oily skin, and unwanted facial or body hair. Others can include hair thinning, changes in the menstrual cycle, mood changes, and trouble sleeping (Mayo Clinic; Scheffers et al., 2015).

Your provider may suggest checking a baseline DHEA-S blood level before you start and monitoring along the way.

Legal and Regulatory Notes

• In the U.S., DHEA is sold as a dietary supplement. Dietary supplements are not approved by the FDA for safety or effectiveness before they are sold, and quality varies between brands (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; Mayo Clinic).
• The prescription vaginal insert (prasterone) is the only FDA-approved DHEA product, and it is approved for a specific use.
• Outside the U.S., rules differ. In many countries DHEA is a prescription-only or restricted product, so check local regulations before buying or traveling with it.
• Athletes: DHEA is prohibited in competitive sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency and banned by the NCAA. If you compete, don't use it.

A Whole-Life Approach to Healthy Aging After 40

No single supplement replaces the foundations of healthy aging. Consider DHEA — if you and your doctor decide it's appropriate — as one small piece of a bigger picture:

• Strength training 2–3 times a week to support muscle and bone
• Protein, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D from a balanced diet
• Sleep and stress management, which influence hormones every day
• Regular check-ups, including bone density and heart health screening as recommended

How Rico Perez Products Fit In

If your provider agrees that DHEA is appropriate for you, Dr. Rico Perez DHEA is formulated to support vitality and healthy hormonal balance as part of a balanced lifestyle.

Many women also choose Women's Balance, a vegetarian formula with vitamins, minerals, and botanicals such as black cohosh, vitex, and red clover to support healthy female hormonal balance. (It contains soy isoflavones — another reason to check with your provider if you have a hormone-sensitive condition.)

For a complete routine, the Women's Relief, 2 Month Program combines DHEA, Women's Balance, and Calcium, Magnesium & Zinc to support hormonal balance, bone strength, and vitality. You can browse all options in our Women's Program collection.*

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DHEA safe for women over 40?

Research studies have used 25–50 mg a day for up to two years without serious problems (these are amounts studied, not a recommended dose), but DHEA is a hormone, it can cause side effects such as acne and unwanted hair, and long-term safety isn't well established. Talk with your healthcare provider before using it.

Does DHEA help with menopause?

Research is mixed. A Cochrane review found it did not improve quality of life, and it's unclear whether it affects menopausal symptoms. It may slightly improve sexual function. A prescription vaginal DHEA product is FDA-approved for menopause-related painful intercourse.

Who should not take DHEA?

Women who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding; anyone with a hormone-sensitive condition such as breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer; and people under 18. Talk to a doctor first if you have PCOS, heart or liver conditions, mood disorders, or take hormones or other medications.

Can I take DHEA with hormone therapy?

Not without medical guidance. Combining DHEA with estrogen or testosterone may cause excess hormone effects. Always tell your doctor about every supplement you take.

Should I test my DHEA levels first?

It's a good idea. Your provider can order a DHEA-S blood test to see your baseline and help decide whether supplementing makes sense for you.

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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Sources

1. Mayo Clinic. DHEA. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-dhea/art-20364199
2. Scheffers CS, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone for women in the peri- or postmenopausal phase. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25879093/ (full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10662543/)
3. Wierman ME, et al. Androgen therapy in women: a reappraisal — an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25279570/
4. Cappola AR, et al. Hormones and Aging: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37326526/
5. Nair KS, et al. DHEA in elderly women and DHEA or testosterone in elderly men. N Engl J Med. 2006. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17050889/
6. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/WYNTK-Consumer/
7. Harvard Health Publishing. DHEA supplements: Are they safe? Or effective? https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-aging-and-longevity/dhea-supplements-are-they-safe-or-effective