Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a popular dietary supplement that some people take to address issues like menopausal symptoms, depression, osteoporosis, and erectile dysfunction However, DHEA supplements may cause side effects, and some people want to stop taking them A common question is whether it’s safe to stop DHEA cold turkey or if you need to taper the dosage.
What is DHEA?
DHEA is a hormone produced naturally by the adrenal glands ovaries testes, and brain. DHEA levels peak in your 20s and decline with age. DHEA supplements are made synthetically from wild yams and convert into estrogen and testosterone in the body.
DHEA supplements may boost low levels, but research on their effectiveness is mixed They’re available over-the-counter as pills, capsules, and creams The only FDA-approved DHEA product is an intravaginal insert for painful intercourse and vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women.
Why People Take DHEA Supplements
People take over-the-counter DHEA supplements for various reasons:
- Alleviate menopause symptoms like hot flashes
- Treat adrenal insufficiency or Addison’s disease
- Prevent osteoporosis and bone loss
- Boost libido and address erectile dysfunction
- Improve mood disorders like depression
- Slow signs of aging and boost immunity
- Enhance memory and cognitive function
- Promote weight loss
However, most of these uses are unproven. More research is needed to confirm if DHEA offers any real benefits aside from vaginal atrophy treatment.
DHEA Supplement Side Effects
While DHEA supplements may slightly boost declining DHEA levels, they can cause side effects like:
- Acne breakouts
- Hair loss or growth
- Irregular periods
- Breast pain
- Mood swings
- Liver dysfunction
- Higher prostate cancer risk
Women may also experience deeper voices, increased facial hair, aggressiveness, and insulin resistance from the extra testosterone. DHEA supplements can also interact with medications for depression, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
These potential adverse effects are why medical supervision is recommended when taking DHEA supplements. The risks likely outweigh benefits for most healthy adults under age 50.
Is It Safe to Stop DHEA Cold Turkey?
Some people want to quit taking DHEA supplements due to side effects or lack of results. Can you safely stop DHEA suddenly or do you need to wean off it slowly?
Unfortunately, there’s limited research on proper DHEA discontinuation. Experts don’t know the best way to stop usage. However, there are a few things to consider when quitting DHEA supplements:
1. Consult Your Doctor
Talk to the healthcare provider that prescribed or recommended your DHEA. Ask if slowly tapering your dosage over a few weeks is better than abruptly stopping. Your doctor can monitor for potential DHEA withdrawal symptoms.
2. Watch for Side Effects
Sudden DHEA cessation may cause side effects like fatigue, mood swings, changes in menstrual cycle, insomnia, and low libido. Tapering off gradually gives your hormones and body more time to adjust.
3. Consider DHEA Replacement
Some people produce little natural DHEA due to disorders like Addison’s disease and adrenal insufficiency. For them, stopping DHEA cold turkey could be dangerous and requires prompt medical care.
Doctors may prescribe corticosteroid drugs as DHEA replacement therapy for people who are deficient. This helps them avoid adrenal crisis from DHEA withdrawal.
4. Try Short-Term Use
Limiting DHEA use to 6 months or less reduces the chance of dependence and severe side effects upon discontinuation. Cycling on and off DHEA may also decrease withdrawal risks.
5. Check DHEA Levels
Get blood tests through your doctor to determine your DHEA status. If levels are within normal range, the impacts of quitting DHEA may be less pronounced than if you’re deficient. Testing can confirm if you need DHEA or not.
Tips for Stopping DHEA Supplements
Here are some tips to stop usage safely based on limited evidence:
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Gradually step down your DHEA dose over 4-6 weeks if you’ve used it longer term or at high doses. This gives your body a chance to adapt to lower levels.
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If tapering, reduce dosage by 5-10mg each week. Listen to your body and slow reduction if you have symptoms.
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Take recommended dosages. Excessive DHEA for prolonged periods likely increases dependence and withdrawal risks. Stick to 25-50mg per day.
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Find alternative ways to support your adrenals like adaptogenic herbs, meditating to reduce stress, adequate sleep, and limiting caffeine.
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See your doctor regularly for follow-up on how discontinuation is impacting your hormone levels, health, menstrual cycle, and wellbeing.
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Report concerning side effects right away so your doctor can recommend treatment options. Don’t quit DHEA without oversight.
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Consider a brief “drug holiday.” Taking a break from DHEA for a month or two may decrease risks of withdrawal and allow the body to reset.
Signs of DHEA Withdrawal
Possible DHEA withdrawal symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Brain fog
- Depression or anxiety
- Irritability and mood swings
- Insomnia
- Hot flashes
- Nausea
- Muscle aches
- Low libido
- Hair loss
- Changes in menstrual cycle
Monitor yourself carefully when stopping DHEA and tell your doctor about unusual symptoms. Seek emergency care for chest pain, seizures, fainting, or suicidal thoughts.
Final Word
While DHEA supplements may offer benefits for some people, they come with side effects and unclear withdrawal risks when stopping. Work closely with your healthcare provider before starting or quitting DHEA to make an informed decision. More human-based research on proper DHEA discontinuation is still needed.
What is DHEA, and what is it used for?
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands, ovaries, testes and brain. DHEA and its sulfated form DHEA-S have multiple functions in the body including the synthesis of the male and female sex hormones.
DHEA levels decline with age, more so in women, in whom ovaries completely stop producing sex hormones with menopause. People take DHEA oral supplements to relieve menopausal symptoms and many other conditions such as adrenal insufficiency, depression, and to slow down aging.
DHEA supplements are thought to increase the production of estrogens and testosterone and reduce the production of cortisol, the stress hormone, and improve quality of life in older adults. In addition, DHEA is believed to help reduce depression , improve cognitive function, increase bone mineral density and muscle strength, and lower cholesterol levels . Natural DHEA in the body appears to have many functions, however, current research shows no evidence that DHEA taken as a supplement can function like the endogenous DHEA.
DHEA dietary supplements are produced from diosgenin, a plant hormone extracted from wild yams belonging to the Dioscorea species of tuberous vines. People also take wild yam extracts as a DHEA supplement, but it is neither safe nor effective because human bodies cannot convert diosgenin into DHEA. A few studies suggest that DHEA may b e effective for depression, improve the appearance of aging skin, and improve fertility in women undergoing assisted reproduction, however, most of its purported benefits are unsubstantiated.
DHEA supplements are available over the counter (OTC) as oral tablets and capsules, and topical creams. Only one DHEA product is FDA-approved prescription product known as prasterone intravaginal insert, used to treat post-menopausal vaginal atrophy and painful intercourse (dyspareunia). The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has banned the use of DHEA products by athletes. Suggested uses of DHEA include:
Do not take DHEA supplements if you have any of the following conditions:
Use DHEA with caution in the following conditions:
- Bipolar disorder
- History of mood disorder
- Depression
- Diabetes mellitus
- Impairment of liver function
Do not take DHEA concurrently with medications metabolized by the enzyme CYP3A4.
DHEA supplements may be toxic to the liver. Avoid taking if you have liver disease.
High doses of DHEA may induce the body to stop producing natural DHEA.
What drugs interact with DHEA?
Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking, who can advise you on any possible drug interactions. Never begin taking, suddenly discontinue, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor’s recommendation.
- DHEA has no severe interactions with other drugs.
- Serious interactions of DHEA include:
- dihydroergotamine
- dihydroergotamine intranasal
- dronedarone
- ergotamine
- erythromycin base
- erythromycin ethylsuccinate
- erythromycin lactobionate
- erythromycin stearate
- everolimus
- pimozide
- ranolazine
- silodosin
- sirolimus
- tolvaptan
- DHEA has moderate interactions with at least 75 different drugs.
- DHEA has mild interactions with at least 52 different drugs.
The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects. For more information on drug interactions, visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker.
It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication.
- DHEA is possibly unsafe for pregnant or breastfeeding women, avoid use.
- Do not take any dietary supplement, including DHEA, without first checking with your healthcare provider, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
I Stopped Taking HRT (Hormone Replacement)… Here’s What Happened!
FAQ
When should you stop taking DHEA?
How long does it take to get DHEA out of your system?
What is the downside to taking DHEA?
How long should you use DHEA?
What should I do if I have low DHEA levels?
If you are trying to keep your levels lower, then talk with your doctor before starting any new medications. And, go through with them and evaluate all of the current medications that you are taking. For example, diabetes drugs, such as metformin, are often associated with DHEA boosts. Stop any synthetic DHEA supplements.
What should I do if I’m taking a DHEA boost?
For example, diabetes drugs, such as metformin, are often associated with DHEA boosts. Stop any synthetic DHEA supplements. Talk with your doctor about gradually weaning off, or stopping cold turkey, any prescribed or over-the-counter hormonal medications that you are currently taking.
Does DHEA really work?
Oh, and thyroxine, thyroid results in range but tissue level low on tests. Dhea was really good for me in lots of ways but had awful hormonal side effects. I’ve halved the dose and they are improved but fatigue has increased and adrenals have crashed again. Am going to add in some 7 keto I think and see if that helps.
What happens if you stop HRT cold turkey?
The hormone deficiency symptoms that caused you to seek HRT will likely return when you stop your protocol. In addition, men may experience difficulty restarting their HPTA Axis, which is crucial for the production of natural Testosterone. If you stop HRT cold turkey, you may experience increased anxiety, depression, and changes in mood.