08/10/2025
Is DHEA really necessary?
One of the most common questions I receive: can’t I just supplement with DHEA to improve my testosterone levels?
DHEA gets a lot of love—but it rarely delivers. Read on to find out what you’re really going after!
Most people take it hoping for more testosterone… but DHEA actually converts more often into estrogen, not androgens.
I wish it would convert testosterone. Textbook will show that it can convert to testosterone. But after seeing thousands of clients and lab results well over a decade—I have not seen it do this.
In fact, most women who start on DHEA even in small amounts 5 or 10 mg can experience negative side effects including increased facial hair, hair loss and acne.
Some will argue that 7-Keto DHEA is better as it does not have the androgenic effect. From my professional experience, I have not seen it do anything and sometimes cause negative side effects just like DHEA.
DHEA supplementation is a classic example of theory versus practice. In theory it should work, and in practice, not really.
In most people, DHEA converts preferentially to estrogen due to enzyme activity in fat tissue and adrenal pathways, making it more likely to raise estrogen than boost testosterone.
What you’re really after when it comes to DHEA? 👇
Beta-AET.
It’s a downstream metabolite of DHEA that gives you the benefits—resilience, metabolism, muscle, mood—without the estrogen overload.
Beta-AET = DHEA without the detours.
Targeted support for inflammation, immunity, and hormone balance (cortisol in particular) without the risk of throwing off your whole system.
Bottom line:
DHEA can push you in the wrong direction. It has benefits for ovarian health, in a cream form it is great for vaginal applications to reduce dryness associated with declining hormone levels. But the likelihood of it converting to testosterone is very low.
Have some of you tried it and experienced positive benefits? Share your experience with DHEA! 👇
