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Hormones

DHEAEvidence & Dosage

DHEA as a precursor hormone for hormonal balance and vitality.

Studies last updated

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
1,000
With abstract
50
Meta / Systematic / RCT
106
Highly cited
50
Publication years
1961–2026

DHEA in the context of Hormones

This topic is part of our "Hormones" world. There you'll find methodology, evidence and the highest-impact levers — plus the order in which they sensibly build on each other.

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Top studies on DHEA

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. Therapeutic management in women with a diminished ovarian reserve: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

    Fertil Steril2025n=38Meta-Analysis138 influential citations

    <h4>Importance</h4>The clinical management of women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a challenge in the field of medically assisted reproduction. Several therapeutic strategies have been proposed, but with mixed results, mainly…

  2. Double-blind treatment of major depression with dehydroepiandrosterone.

    Am J Psychiatry1999RCT99 influential citations

    <h4>Objective</h4>This study was designed to assess possible antidepressant effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an abundant adrenocortical hormone in humans.<h4>Method</h4>Twenty-two patients with major depression, either…

  3. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) treatment of depression.

    Biol Psychiatry1997Clinical Trial88 influential citations

    Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate, DHEA-S, are plentiful adrenal steroid hormones that decrease with aging and may have significant neuropsychiatric effects. In this study, six middle-aged and elderly patients with major…

  4. Evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of androgen measurement in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis to inform evidence-based guidelines.

    Hum Reprod Update2025n=375Meta-Analysis87 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Biochemical hyperandrogenism is a hallmark and diagnostic feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the most accurate androgen measurement for assessing biochemical hyperandrogenism in PCOS diagnosis remains…

  5. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

    Medicine (Baltimore)2019n=60rct84 influential citations

    BACKGROUND: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) is a herb traditionally used to reduce stress and enhance wellbeing. The aim of this study was to investigate its anxiolytic effects on adults with self-reported high stress and to…

  6. Hormonal Treatments and Vaginal Moisturizers for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause : A Systematic Review.

    Ann Intern Med2024n=46Systematic Review57 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Postmenopausal women commonly experience vulvovaginal, urinary, and sexual symptoms associated with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).<h4>Purpose</h4>To evaluate effectiveness and harms of vaginal estrogen,…

  7. Dehydroepiandrosterone monotherapy in midlife-onset major and minor depression.

    Arch Gen Psychiatry2005n=23RCT56 influential citations

    <h4>Context</h4>Alternative and over-the-counter medicines have become increasingly popular choices for many patients who prefer not to take traditional antidepressants. The adrenal androgen and neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)…

  8. Dehydroepiandrosterone augmentation in the management of negative, depressive, and anxiety symptoms in schizophrenia.

    Arch Gen Psychiatry2003RCT51 influential citations

    <h4>Context</h4>Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are a prominent feature of the illness, and frequently remain refractory to treatment. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), along with its sulfated form, DHEA-S, is an important circulating…

  9. Efficacy of resveratrol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

    Pan Afr Med J2023n=218Meta-Analysis51 influential citations

    Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and hormonal condition affecting women of a reproductive age. It causes an abnormal menstrual cycle, anovulation, infertility, acne, hirsutism, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular…

  10. Fracture risk and bone health in adrenal adenomas with mild autonomous cortisol secretion/subclinical hypercortisolism: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.

    J Bone Miner Res2024n=16Meta-Analysis43 influential citations

    Adrenal adenomas/incidentalomas with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS)/subclinical hypercortisolism (SH) are often associated with metabolic syndrome, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, and fractures. In this background, the…

    Finding: Limited data showed no significant difference in bone turnover markers between MACS/SH and non-functional adrenal adenomas.

Frequently asked

What dosage was studied?
• Adjuvant treatments and protocols for women with DOR, including testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, high- vs low-dose gonadotropin, delayed-start antagonist protocol, letrozole, clomiphene citrate, growth hormone, luteal phase stimulation, dual triggering, dual stimulation, luteinizing hormone, oestradiol pretreatment, and corifollitropin alfa (Varied by intervention; not reported as a single dose)
Which population does the evidence apply to?
Most studies investigated: healthy.
Are there safety considerations for DHEA?
• Not reported in the abstract • No adverse events reported; diagnostic accuracy review only. • No adverse events were reported. • All participants completed the trial.

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