Pregnenolone is a popular over-the-counter steroid hormone purported to help keep your hormone levels more stable as you age. In addition, pregnenolone is proposed to help reduce symptoms of a variety of health conditions, including osteoporosis, arthritis, depression, menopause and premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. However, there is no evidence to suggest that pregnenolone is an effective treatment for any of these health problems.
Precaution
Despite its current medicinal classification, in truth, pregnenolone is not a nutritional supplement. Like other steroid hormones, such as estrogen and cortisone, pregnenolone should be classified as a drug. In addition, little is known about the safety of this supplement. For these reasons, it's important to consult a medical professional familiar with your medical history before taking pregnenolone.
Recommended Dosage
Typically, the recommended daily dosage of pregnenolone is 30 mg, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Your doctor may recommend a higher dose, depending on your health status.
Contraindications
Treatment with pregnenolone isn't appropriate for everyone. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding shouldn't use this supplement because pregnenolone can alter hormone levels, which may cause fetal or infant development problems. In addition, avoid taking pregnenolone if you have a hormone-sensitive medical condition, such as breast or ovarian cancer because treatment with this supplement may worsen your condition.
Safety Issues
More research is required to examine the safety and effectiveness of pregneolone. Treatment with this supplement may induce steroid-like side effects, including headache, acne, unusual mood changes, facial hair growth and hair loss. Pregnenolone may also cause heart rate irregularities or menstrual cycle changes. If any of these side effects occur, contact your physician for further evaluation and care.
