DHEA Effects on Women Trying to Build Muscle

Is DHEA a safe supplement for women to take when trying to gain muscle? What are the side effects for women?

Will it cause any changes in facial structure, vocal octave, etc such as those with long term steroid use?


Answer:

No, DHEA is not typically recommended if you're trying to build muscle.

There have been many claims that supplementing DHEA can help with muscle gain and weight loss, however there aren't many studies backing this up.

If you research some of the DHEA side effects you will find that some of the things you have mentioned will be listed. Pure DHEA is a pretty powerful supplement because it is a steroid hormone. The pure form is not available over the counter in Canada but you might find it easier in the USA. It is a prescription drug in Canada and other countries.

Some of these side effects exist because DHEA is a powerful precursor hormone that is easily converted to testosterone and estrogen. Supplementing this is really only recommended if you have low levels of DHEA, and this is determined through a blood or saliva test. If you don't feel your DHEA levels are low and you're just looking for a supplement to help you build muscle, I wouldn't recommend DHEA.

As men and women age and get into their 40s, their DHEA levels will decline. Some people won't experience any symptoms while others will experience symptoms of low DHEA such as fatigue, lower sex drive, sleeping problems, weak muscles and so on. If you have these symptoms and a test reveals your DHEA levels are low, then supplementing would be beneficial. But if you're just looking for a muscle building supplement and your DHEA levels are not low, then taking DHEA may cause you side effects.


My mother had an extremely hard time going through menopause and finally visited a doctor where a test revealed that her DHEA levels were very very low. She hadn't had a good sleep in months and her adrenal glands here basically running empty on DHEA. She now supplements with DHEA cream that she gets through a prescription from a specialist. She definitely needs and benefits from DHEA.

If you don't have the symptoms of low levels of DHEA, there's a greater risk you will experience a side effect from using a DHEA supplement because you might not need it. For just muscle building purposes, you should try something else.

A safe alternative to a DHEA supplement would be a natural testosterone booster like HGH Advanced.


References:
Sexy Hormones by Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, MS and Alvin Pettle, MD