Pregnenolone is a steroid hormone from which your body manufactures other hormones, such as progesterone, DHEA, estrogen, testosterone and hormones that help with fluid and electrolyte balance. Some health professionals recommend pregnenolone as a natural supplement for alleviating symptoms of menopause. Pregnenolone's safety and effectiveness remain controversial. Consult your doctor for guidance and supervision in the safe and appropriate use of pregnenolone.
Anti-Inflammatory
Historically, pregnenolone was targeted for its potential to reduce inflammation. However, when the adrenal hormone cortisol was isolated the medical community adopted it as a more powerful anti-inflammatory agent and pregnenolone use fell away. In recent years, pregnenolone has received a surge of popularity among some alternative health practitioners as a potential natural treatment for maintaining youthfulness by improving mental focus and decreasing stress, depression and fatigue, according to the American Cancer Society. The hormone is also promoted as a treatment for arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, menopause and certain autoimmune conditions, though no human research has substantiated its usefulness for these conditions.
Memory
Memory loss may be helped by pregnenolone, according to a study published in the February 2011 issue of the journal "European Neuropsychopharmacology." The laboratory animal study demonstrated improved learning and memory in adult mice. Human trials are warranted to confirm these preliminary results. Consult your doctor about using pregnenolone to improve memory or treat any medical condition.
Cancer
Pregnenolone is a powerful hormone that may increase your risk for certain cancers, osteoporosis or liver problems, according to New York University's Langone Medical Center. Pregnenolone has not been proven to influence levels of other hormones. However, because it is a precursor to so many other hormones, the precise effects of taking pregnenolone are not predictable and the outcome may not be beneficial or safe. Additionally, pregnenolone's one proven effect when used as a supplement is to enhance the effects of certain sedative drugs.
Considerations
You can obtain pregnenolone as a supplement in doses ranging from 5 to 50 mg. Topical pregnenolone creams are also available. However, no dosage standards exist and potential adverse effects can be serious. High doses may promote excessive production of the steroid hormones DHEA and testosterone, which can lead to aggressiveness and irritability. Sleep disturbances and increased facial hair are also potential undesirable side effects of pregnenolone for menopausal women. To be safe, consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks of using pregnenolone.
References
- New York University Langone Medical Center; Pregnenolone; August 2011
- "European Neuropsychopharmacology"; Pregnenolone Sulfate and Its Enantiomer: Differential Modulation of Memory in a Spatial Discrimination Task Using Forebrain Nmda Receptor Deficient Mice; G. Petit, et al; February 2011
- American Cancer Society; Pregnenolone; November 2008
