Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA is a steroidal hormone naturally found in the body that has been controversially suggested to have a role in aging. While DHEA may be beneficial for the treatment of depression or certain hormonal deficiencies, it can also be harmful as it can dramatically change the natural balance of hormones in the body. Individuals considering DHEA supplementation should consult a physician before beginning to take DHEA.
Heart Problems
A number of heart-related complications have been reported as side effects of DHEA use. DHEA may cause increased blood pressure, rapid heart beat or irregular heart beat. Individuals with heart disease or any history of heart-related illness should not use DHEA. MedlinePlus explains that DHEA can also increase blood clotting and should not be used by patients receiving anticoagulant therapies such as Plavix or aspirin for the treatment of heart disease.
Too Much Estrogen in Men
DHEA is normally made in the body by the adrenal glands. It is then further processed to form either estrogen or testosterone, two very important hormones that regulate a number of developmental and physiological processes in both men and women. The National Institute on Aging explains that different people will process DHEA into testosterone or estrogen in very different ways. As a consequence, men who take DHEA supplements may produce too much estrogen and develop some secondary female sex characteristics. These characteristics include enlarged breasts, tender breasts, shrunken testicles, high blood pressure and increased aggressiveness.
High Testosterone in Women
Women that use DHEA may produce too much testosterone and begin to develop some masculine traits. Some of these changes potentially caused by DHEA supplementation may be permanent. MayoClinic.com explains that the masculinization side effects of DHEA in women include increased facial and body hair, balding, deeper voice, greasy skin and weight gain in the waist region.
Development of Hormone-Sensitive Cancers
A number of sex specific cancers such as prostate, breast and ovarian cancers can be brought on or enhanced by an overabundance of hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. As DHEA supplementation can increase levels of these hormones, it may promote the growth of malignancies such as prostate cancer in men and ovarian cancer in women. Individuals at risk for developing these cancers should avoid DHEA supplements. The American Cancer Society further warns that women with breast cancer that use DHEA may cause their cancer to become insensitive to important hormone-based anti-cancer drugs such as tamoxifen.
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