DHEA is dihydroepiandrosterone, a steroid produced by your adrenal glands. It is also available as a nutritional supplement. DHEA production peaks in your mid-20 and then declines. DHEA supplements should not be taken without a doctor's permission, as this sexual hormone precursor could cause a number of possible adverse effects, such as increased breast prominence in males, according to Mayo Clinic.
Gynecomastia
It is not uncommon for boys going through puberty to experience gynecomastia, or abnormally large breasts. According to Medline Plus, this condition typically recedes after a few months. Breast growth in males is thought to be associated with hormonal changes, such as that which occurs during puberty. Other causes of gynecomastia include kidney failure, marijuana use, the side effects of medications and exposure to anabolic steroid hormones. Gynecomastia can also be a sign of breast cancer. Consult your doctor if you have gynecomastia.
DHEA Supplement Use
DHEA should not be given those under the age of 19, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, unless a doctor recommends it. It is also contraindicated for those under the age of 40 unless they have been diagnosed with insufficient DHEA levels. The use of DHEA supplements has been shown to be helpful in the treatment of adrenal insufficiency, depression, infertility and lupus, but in all of these cases, more research is needed to confirm these effects, according to Mayo Clinic. Research into the link between muscle strength and DHEA supplementation has not drawn any conclusive results indicating that DHEA is helpful in this regard.
DHEA and Gynecomastia
Because DHEA is a precursor of the sex hormones androgen and estrogen, there is reason to infer that it can play a role in biological functions related to these hormones, such as breast growth. Both Mayo Clinic and the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library list the risk of increased breast growth in males as a side effect of DHEA supplementation, though the Merck Manuals notes that this is a theoretical risk and not one that has been demonstrated through case studies.
Recommendations
If you are experiencing gynecomastia, MedlinePlus advises the cessation of all recreational drugs and nutritional supplements, which would include DHEA. Your health care provider can order diagnostic tests to further pinpoint the source of your affliction.
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