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Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone produced primarily by the adrenal glands. It serves as a precursor to other hormones, including androgens and estrogens, playing a role in various bodily functions. For women navigating midlife and menopause, understanding DHEA is often a topic of interest.
A notable physiological change that occurs with aging is a natural reduction in DHEA production. This article will explore the evidence surrounding the DHEA decline with age, its potential implications for women, and current perspectives from research.
The Age-Related Trajectory of DHEA Levels
The production of DHEA by the adrenal glands does not remain constant throughout life. Research indicates a significant and progressive decline in DHEA levels as individuals age [1]. This decline is often referred to as ‘adrenopause’ [2].
DHEA levels typically peak in early adulthood, around the age of 20-30 years [1]. Following this peak, there is a gradual and consistent reduction in DHEA synthesis. By the time individuals reach 70 to 80 years of age, DHEA levels may be only 10% to 20% of what they were in their youth [2]. This age-related decrease in DHEA is a well-documented phenomenon across various studies [3].
The decline in DHEA is not unique to women but is a general characteristic of human aging. However, given DHEA’s role as a precursor to sex hormones, its reduction can be particularly relevant for women as they transition through midlife and menopause, a period already marked by significant hormonal shifts.
What Contributes to DHEA Decline with Age?
The exact mechanisms driving the age-related DHEA decline are complex and not fully understood, but they are thought to involve changes within the adrenal glands themselves. As the adrenal glands age, their capacity to produce DHEA may diminish [2]. This reduction in synthesis is a primary factor contributing to the observed lower circulating levels.
Other factors associated with aging, such as overall physiological changes and potential shifts in hormonal regulation, may also play a role. The decline is considered a natural part of the aging process, similar to other age-related changes in various physiological systems [1].
Potential Implications of DHEA Decline for Women
The age-related DHEA decline has prompted considerable research into its potential implications for various aspects of health and well-being in older adults, including women. As DHEA is a precursor to androgens and estrogens, its reduction could potentially influence systems that rely on these hormones [4].
Some research has explored the relationship between lower DHEA levels and age-related conditions. For instance, DHEA has been investigated in relation to muscle mass and strength, with some studies exploring its connection to sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function [5]. Exercise training, however, has been shown to influence anabolic and catabolic hormones with advanced age, which could include DHEA pathways [6].
Additionally, DHEA has been examined in the context of reproductive health. One study suggested that DHEA may decrease the age-related decline of in vitro fertilization outcomes in women younger than 40 years old [7]. Other research has looked at DHEA levels in relation to bone health, with one study noting age-related changes in 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione (a DHEA metabolite) concentrations in normal and osteoporotic women [8]. These areas highlight the breadth of research into the potential impact of DHEA decline.
Furthermore, the influence of DHEA sulfate levels on the slower age-related decline in grey matter has been explored in younger women with polycystic ovary syndrome [9]. This suggests a potential role for DHEA in brain health as well.
DHEA and Well-Being in Midlife and Menopause
For women navigating midlife and menopause, the natural DHEA decline occurs concurrently with other significant hormonal changes, such as the reduction in estrogen and progesterone. This has led to an increased interest in understanding how DHEA levels might relate to various experiences during this life stage.
While the decline in DHEA with age is a well-established fact [1], the precise implications of this decline for every individual woman can vary. Research continues to explore the potential connections between DHEA levels and aspects of well-being, including mood, energy, and overall vitality, which are often topics of concern during midlife and menopause [10].
It is important to recognize that the body’s hormonal systems are highly interconnected. The age-related reduction in DHEA is one piece of a larger puzzle of physiological changes that occur with aging. Further research is ongoing to clarify the full scope of DHEA’s role and the potential implications of its decline in women at different stages of life.
References
- A review of age-related dehydroepiandrosterone decline and its association with well-known geriatric syndromes: is treatment beneficial?. Rejuvenation research, 2013
- Mechanism of action of anti-aging DHEA-S and the replacement of DHEA-S. Mechanisms of ageing and development, 2002
- [DHEA and aging]. Psychologie & neuropsychiatrie du vieillissement, 2003
- Androgens and antiandrogens. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2003
- Sarcopenia. The Journal of laboratory and clinical medicine, 2001
- Effects of Exercise Training on Anabolic and Catabolic Hormones with Advanced Age: A Systematic Review. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 2022
- Dehydroepiandrosterone decreases the age-related decline of the in vitro fertilization outcome in women younger than 40 years old. Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E, 2015
- Age-related changes in 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione concentration in normal and osteoporotic women. The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology, 1991
- Influence of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels on the slower age-related decline in grey matter in younger women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Brain communications, 2025
- Uses of DHEA in aging and other disease states. Ageing research reviews, 2002
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