Prasterone (Oral DHEA)
Prasterone is the pharmaceutical name for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an endogenous adrenal prohormone available orally as a supplement and, in some regions, as a prescription product. Taken by mouth it is a weak androgen precursor that partly converts to testosterone and estrogens.
01 Overview
DHEA is produced by the adrenal glands and serves as a precursor to both androgens and estrogens. Oral prasterone is widely sold as a dietary supplement in the United States and studied for age-related hormone decline, bone density, mood and body composition, though results are generally modest and inconsistent.
Because it is a natural prohormone rather than a designed anabolic, its performance-enhancing potency is low; nonetheless it is banned in sport and can raise androgen and estrogen levels measurably. A separate vaginal prasterone product exists for dyspareunia, distinct from the oral use described here.
02 Mechanism
Prohormone converted peripherally to androstenedione, testosterone and estrogens; acts indirectly through its downstream steroid metabolites at androgen and estrogen receptors.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplement | 25–50 mg/day | Oral | Common supplement range for adults. |
| High | 50–100 mg/day | Oral | Higher doses raise androgen/estrogen exposure and side-effect risk. |
Ester comparison
| Ester | Half-life | Injection freq. | Testosterone by mass |
|---|
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raised androgen levelsIncreases circulating androgens, more pronounced in women and older adults. | measurable rise in testosterone in some groups | Clinical | |
| Bone density supportModest bone-density benefit reported in older adults. | small BMD gains in some trials | Clinical | |
| Body composition / wellbeingEffects on muscle, fat and mood are inconsistent across studies. | small or absent | Disputed |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Androgenic effectsAcne, oily skin and hair changes, especially in women. | Mild | Dose-related | Clinical | |
| Estrogenic effectsRaised estrogen from aromatisation of DHEA metabolites. | Mild | Occasional | Clinical |