DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is generally not recommended due to a range of significant side effects and serious health risks, particularly its potential to increase the risk of certain cancers.
Common Adverse Effects
Using DHEA can lead to various undesirable side effects, many of which are related to its hormonal activity in the body. These can affect appearance and overall health.
- Androgenic Effects:
- Growth of facial hair in women (hirsutism).
- Loss of scalp hair (androgenic alopecia).
- Acne breakouts.
- Deepening of the voice.
- Cardiovascular Impact:
- Rising blood pressure.
Potential Cancer Risks
One of the most concerning reasons DHEA is not recommended is its ability to be converted into other hormones within the body, specifically estrogen. This conversion significantly increases the risk of developing hormone-sensitive cancers.
- Increased Risk of Hormone-Sensitive Cancers:
- Breast Cancer: Elevated estrogen levels are a known risk factor for breast cancer.
- Ovarian Cancer: Similarly, ovarian cancer risk can increase with altered hormone levels.
- Prostate Cancer: While often associated with androgens, the overall hormonal imbalance caused by DHEA conversion can also contribute to prostate cancer risk.
Given these serious potential side effects, including the risk of developing life-threatening cancers, healthcare professionals typically advise against the use of DHEA.
