Are Your Adrenal Androgens Aging?

DHEA and DHEA-S, adrenal androgens, are hormones made in the adrenal glands. Their levels rise during childhood, peak in early adulthood, and then decline steadily with age, eventually dropping by up to 80–90% in older adults.

This phenomenon, known as “adrenopause,” affects both men and women. Women are affected more because adrenal androgens make up most of their total androgen supply.

Lower levels of these hormones are linked with several age-related issues, including frailty, weaker muscles, mobility problems, mood changes, metabolic dysfunction, cardiovascular risk, and higher mortality.

Some research suggests that higher DHEA-S levels are associated with better memory and cognitive skills, but clinical trials have not demonstrated that DHEA supplementation improves cognition in healthy older adults.

DHEA has also been studied for sexual function and menopausal symptoms. Some early research showed benefits, but later, better-controlled studies—including in women with adrenal insufficiency—found little or no effect.

Overall, while DHEA has numerous biological roles, further research and testing are needed to make definitive recommendations.

Optimal Takeaways

• DHEA and DHEA-S drop sharply with age, while cortisol often stays the same or increases, creating a more catabolic hormone balance.
• Low levels are linked to frailty, reduced muscle strength, mobility problems, metabolic issues, and a higher risk of death, but these links do not prove cause and effect.
• Higher DHEA-S levels are associated with better cognitive function; however, supplement studies have shown no cognitive benefits.
• Evidence for improvements in sexual function or menopausal symptoms is inconsistent, even in women with adrenal insufficiency.
• DHEA acts through both hormone conversion and direct cellular signaling, indicating that it influences multiple body systems.
• Routine DHEA supplementation is not supported as an anti-aging strategy, except for select medical situations.
• No significant adverse side effects of DHEA were reported in clinical studies.

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