Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is one of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands and is considered a "precursor hormone" because it can be converted to estrogen and testosterone. As you age, it’s natural for levels of DHEA to decrease. In fact, by the time you’re eighty years old, your DHEA levels will be only five percent of the amount produced during your reproductive years. However, age is not the only factor influencing DHEA production. Chronic stress can also deplete DHEA levels and leave people feeling even more stressed, anxious, and even depressed.
There are many ways to prevent healthy hormones from getting depleted in our bodies, such as better stress management, healthy eating, and active lifestyles. In addition, many patients have been able to improve their daily lives with supplemental DHEA creams that are easy to apply and very affordable.
Here are five amazing and natural benefits of DHEA.
Improves Sexual Dysfunction and Libido
Studies have linked declining DHEA production in men and women with lower libido and erectile dysfunction in men. When DHEA is depleted, it also depletes testosterone levels. Because testosterone is the main hormone responsible for sexual desire, low DHEA levels can contribute to lower sex drive and even symptoms such as vaginal dryness. When DHEA converts to estrogen, it can improve vaginal lubrication and PH levels and therefore promote more comfortable and pleasurable sex.
Promotes Weight Loss and Build Muscle
While DHEA is not a magic pill for weight loss, it‘s commonly used by body builders who are looking to promote weight loss, and build lean muscle. As you age, your metabolism naturally declines and therefore reducing fat burn. DHEA helps adults maintain strong metabolisms and fights against age-related weight gain. It also promotes muscle gain, which improves calorie burn even while resting.
It’s important to note that DHEA is not a steroid that promotes unnatural muscle growth. Rather, it helps your body use glucose for energy and prevents fat from sticking to your mid-section. Because it regulates blood sugar, it also reduces inflammation and promotes better mood.
Improves Stress Response and Well Being
As mentioned above, there are many ways to manage stress levels. DHEA has proven to be an effective supplement for aging adults who struggle with mood swings, anxiety, and depression. DHEA functions as the counterpart to the stress hormone cortisol. So, if cortisol is high or out of balance in comparison to DHEA, patients will feel higher stress and lack of energy.
It’s common for women going through menopause to suffer from symptoms such as these and even report having emotional “numbness,” sadness, and irritability. DHEA helps to balance estrogen and testosterone production, which are needed to keep a healthy sense of well being, positivity, and energy.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Studies have linked healthy levels of DHEA to lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol. While there is still more research to be done on this particular benefit, it’s known that DHEA supports a healthy metabolism, lowers inflammation, and promotes the production of healthy hormones. All of these benefits can lower a person’s risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Improves Bone Density
Bone loss is also a common symptom of aging and is related to lower estrogen levels. DHEA promotes balanced production of estrogen and therefore improves bone density and muscle mass. Post-menopausal women are at high-risk for osteoporosis due to low DHEA and low estrogen.
Keep Your Hormones Balanced with BHRT
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a safe and natural treatment that is effective in treating hormone imbalances in men and women as they age.
At Dr. Randolph’s Wellness Store, we offer DHEA cream through our online store. This product has helped countless patients get back to feeling like themselves. If you’re struggling with symptoms related to the ones above, it’s likely that BHRT could help you.
We highly encourage you to visit our medical practice to start finding your balance. We’d be proud to help you on your journey!