Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a naturally occurring hormone in your body that is a precursor to male and female sex hormones. Secreted through the adrenal gland, DHEA helps to form androgens and estrogens. According to the Mayo Clinic, DHEA levels in the body begin to decrease at around age 30 due to the aging process and may lead to adrenal fatigue, a low sex drive and rheumatoid arthritis.
Adrenal Fatigue
Your adrenal gland is responsible for producing DHEA, which supports a healthy hormonal balance in your body. When your adrenals are overworked, they cannot produce adequate amounts of DHEA and the end result is feelings of fatigue. You may also feel emotionally overwhelmed and depressed when you have a lack of DHEA in your body. This condition may arise if you are coping with chronic stress in your professional or personal life, according to the Women to Women website, which goes on to explain that poor nutrition and periods of emotional trauma may also lead to poor production of DHEA and eventually, adrenal fatigue.
Low Sex Drive
DHEA is the precursor to testosterone, the male hormone directly responsible for a healthy sex drive in men. Testosterone is the hormone that induces puberty in men and continues to develop in the testicles throughout life. Low sex drive is the end result of a decrease in testosterone, which is the result of a decline in DHEA production during the aging process, notes the website Diagnose Me. Other risks for a low sex drive in men include the use of drugs, prolonged sickness and high stress levels.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can occur at any age but typically begins between the ages of 40 and 60, reports the Mayo Clinic, adding that women are more susceptible to the autoimmune disease than men. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint swelling, pain and weakness; red, puffy hands that are tender to the touch; fever; fatigue; and weight loss. A study published in the journal "Holistic Medicine" in spring 1993 found that a group of women with rheumatoid arthritis had significantly lower levels of DHEA than a healthy control group, according to the website DigitalNaturopath.com.
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