DHEA & Muscle Aches

The body produces hormone precursor DHEA. As people age, DHEA production declines. Low blood levels of DHEA correlate with diseases including lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, with one symptom being muscle pain. According to MedlinePlus, DHEA supplements may be taken for symptoms of aging or adrenal gland insufficiency and may be possibly effective for schizophrenia, erectile dysfunction and osteoporosis.

DHEA

The adrenal glands located near the top of the kidneys produce dehydroepiandrosterone or DHEA. The production of DHEA declines after puberty. The body converts DHEA into sex hormones testosterone and estrogen. In addition, DHEA acts within the central nervous system as a chemical messenger. Chronic disease may cause the adrenal glands to produce more of the immune suppressant cortisol and less DHEA. According to findings of a 2008 review by Thomas W. Buford and Darryn S. Willoughby and published in "Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism," DHEA stimulates the immune system.

Muscle Aches

The fibers in muscle shorten or contract to produce movement. The blood supply to muscles provides energy from glucose, fatty acids or stored glucose in the form of glycogen. Discomfort or pain in specific muscles may be caused by tension, overuse or injury. General muscle pain may be associated with diseases including infection, systemic lupus erythematosus and fibromyalgia. Cramping may also be caused by involuntary contraction of the muscle tissue from diminished blood supply.

DHEA Supplements

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate DHEA nutritional supplements for safety, effectiveness or quality control. Biochemical processes in the body convert DHEA to androstenedione and then further to sex hormones testosterone and estrogen. According to a 2005 analysis by David J. Handelsman, published in the "Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism," DHEA supplement doses between 25 to 50 mg per day increase blood testosterone levels in women. In men, DHEA at 1600 mg per day did not affect blood testosterone levels, though the female sex hormone estradiol increased.

DHEA for Muscle Pain

DHEA may reduce muscle pain associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and chronic fatigue syndrome. In a study of women with systemic lupus erythematosus reported in "Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients" in May 2004, 18.3 percent of study participants receiving 200 mg of DHEA per day experienced periods of active disease symptoms compared to 33.9 percent of study participants receiving placebo. According to MedlinePlus, some evidence shows DHEA may improve symptoms including muscle pain associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

DHEA Cautions

Side effects of DHEA supplementation include acne, increased testosterone in women and increased estradiol in men. According to MedlinePlus, medications for treating inflammation called corticosteroids including hydrocortisone and prednisone may decrease production of DHEA by the adrenal glands and may also interfere with DHEA supplements.