So you just got your lab results back and saw that DHEA-S marker flashing high. I remember staring at my own report three years ago feeling totally lost. What even is DHEA? Why does it skyrocket in some women? And most importantly – what actually works to bring it down? After digging through medical journals and testing every approach myself, here's what I've learned about effective treatment for high DHEA levels in females.
Understanding Your DHEA Surge
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is like your body's hormonal raw material. Produced mainly by adrenal glands, it converts into sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone. Normal levels keep energy balanced, but when DHEA goes rogue – hello, hormonal chaos.
Why Females Develop Elevated DHEA
Through my research, I've found five primary culprits behind soaring DHEA levels in women:
- Adrenal overload – Chronic stress literally forces your adrenals to pump out excess hormones (my cortisol was through the roof when my DHEA spiked)
- PCOS connections – Nearly 70% of women with PCOS show elevated DHEA levels according to endocrine studies
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) – This genetic condition messes with cortisol production, causing DHEA backups
- Tumors (rare but serious) – Though uncommon, adrenal tumors can trigger hormone surges
- Certain supplements gone wrong – I learned this hard way when DHEA-boosting supplements I took for "anti-aging" backfired spectacularly
Red Flag Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore
How do you know if your DHEA is actually problematic? These symptoms made me suspect something was off long before my blood test:
| Symptom | Why It Happens | My Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Oily skin & cystic acne along jawline | Excess DHEA converts to testosterone, increasing sebum production | Developed painful cysts that didn’t respond to topical treatments |
| Unexpected hair growth (hirsutism) | Increased androgens stimulate hair follicles | Started noticing dark chin hairs – mortifying at age 29 |
| Irregular or absent periods | Hormonal imbalance disrupts ovulation cycles | Went 94 days without a period – thought I was premenopausal |
| Thinning scalp hair | Androgen sensitivity shrinks hair follicles | My ponytail got noticeably thinner over 6 months |
| Anxiety and insomnia | Adrenal dysfunction affects stress response | Would wake at 3am with racing thoughts despite exhaustion |
Honestly, the fatigue was the worst part. I'd drink three coffees before noon and still need a nap. If this sounds familiar, get your DHEA-S levels checked – the blood draw changed everything for me.
Medical Approaches to Treating High DHEA
Conventional treatment for high DHEA levels in females depends heavily on the root cause. Here's what endocrinologists typically recommend:
Medications That Actually Lower DHEA
After months of trial and error under medical supervision, I found these options most impactful:
- Low-dose dexamethasone (0.25-0.5mg nightly) – Suppresses adrenal androgen production. Saw my DHEA-S drop 40% in 6 weeks.
- Spironolactone (50-200mg daily) – Blocks androgen receptors. Cleared my acne but gave me dizzy spells at higher doses.
- Metformin (for insulin-resistant PCOS) – Indirectly lowers DHEA by improving insulin sensitivity. Made me nauseous at first.
- Oral contraceptives – Especially Yaz/Yasmin containing drospirenone. Regulated my periods but tanked my libido.
Important safety note: Never self-prescribe these! My endocrinologist warned that improper dexamethasone use can suppress natural cortisol production. We did monthly blood tests to monitor.
When You Might Need Further Investigation
If your DHEA-S levels exceed 500 μg/dL (normal is 35-430 for most labs), doctors get concerned. Mine ordered these additional tests:
- ACTH stimulation test – Checks adrenal responsiveness
- 17-OH progesterone – Screens for congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Adrenal CT scan – Ruled out tumors in my case (thankfully!)
Honestly, the waiting period for scan results was terrifying. But ruling out serious conditions brings peace of mind.
Natural Treatment Strategies That Work
Medical interventions help, but sustainable management of high DHEA in females requires lifestyle changes. These natural approaches made the biggest difference for me:
Stress Reduction: Non-Negotiable Foundation
Your adrenals can't heal while drowning in cortisol. I learned this through brutal experience – no supplement worked until I addressed stress.
| Technique | Protocol | My Results |
|---|---|---|
| Morning sunlight exposure | 10-15 min within 30 min of waking | Regulated cortisol rhythm within 3 weeks |
| Extended exhale breathing | 4-sec inhale, 6-sec exhale for 5 min | Lowered resting heart rate by 12 bpm |
| Legs-up-the-wall pose | 10 min daily after work | Reduced nighttime cortisol spikes |
| Digital sunset | No screens after 8:30pm | Finally cured my 3am anxiety awakenings |
The breathing technique felt silly at first, but became my secret weapon during stressful meetings. Consistency matters more than perfection here.
Nutrition Tweaks That Balance Hormones
After working with a nutritional endocrinologist, I discovered these food strategies for treating high DHEA levels naturally:
- Protein at breakfast – 30g within 30 min of waking (I do 3 eggs + turkey sausage)
- Cycle your carbs – Higher carb (150g) on high-activity days, lower (50g) on sedentary days
- Cruciferous veggies daily – Broccoli sprouts contain sulforaphane that aids estrogen metabolism
- Licorice root tea – Contains compounds that lower testosterone production (drink before 2pm)
- Total elimination – Cutting gluten and dairy reduced my inflammation markers by 40%
My worst mistake? Over-restricting calories. It spiked cortisol and worsened my DHEA imbalance. Now I never eat below 1,800 calories.
Movement That Heals vs Harms
Exercise can either fix or break your adrenals. I learned this the hard way when marathon training crashed my system.
Recommended:
- Walking 8,000-10,000 steps daily (my baseline)
- Resistance training 3x/week (heavy enough to challenge but not exhaust)
- Yin yoga or stretching sessions
Avoid:
- HIIT more than 1x/week (spiked my cortisol for 48hrs)
- Cardio sessions over 45 minutes
- Working out during high stress periods
My sweet spot? Twenty-minute strength sessions with 30-minute walks. More isn't always better.
Supplements That Move the Needle
After wasting hundreds on useless supplements, these actually helped lower my DHEA levels:
| Supplement | Dosage | Mechanism | Time to Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphatidylserine | 300mg at bedtime | Lowers nighttime cortisol | Improved sleep in 3 days |
| Magnesium glycinate | 400mg daily | Supports adrenal function | Reduced muscle tension in 1 week |
| Spearmint tea | 2 cups daily | Lowers free testosterone | Noticeably less oiliness in 4 weeks |
| Ashwagandha (KSM-66) | 600mg daily | Adaptogenic cortisol modulation | DHEA-S dropped 22% in 8 weeks |
A word of caution: Saw palmetto gave me awful headaches despite its popularity. Always start low and monitor reactions.
Common Questions About Treating High DHEA Levels
Q: Can you have high DHEA without PCOS?
Yes. While PCOS is a common cause, my tests confirmed non-PCOS elevated DHEA. Stress and CAH are other possible triggers.
Q: Does high DHEA cause weight gain?
Indirectly. It can increase insulin resistance and abdominal fat storage – I gained 18lbs before treatment despite clean eating.
Q: Are there specific tests for high DHEA?
Request the DHEA-S (sulfate) blood test. It's more stable than free DHEA. Always test before 9am when levels peak.
Q: How long before treatments show results?
Lab improvements appear in 6-8 weeks, but symptoms like acne may take 3-6 months. My hair regrowth took nearly a year.
Q: Is high DHEA dangerous long-term?
Left untreated, it increases cardiovascular and metabolic risks. My lipid panel improved significantly after treatment.
Putting It All Together: My Personal Protocol
After three years of tweaking, this daily routine normalized my DHEA-S levels from 580 to 210 μg/dL:
- 6:30am: Wake, drink electrolyte water, 10 min sunlight exposure
- 7:00am: High-protein breakfast (30g protein)
- 12:30pm: Lunch with cruciferous veggies and lean protein
- 3:00pm: Spearmint tea and 10-min walk
- 6:30pm: Dinner with complex carbs if exercised 8:30pm: Digital detox begins
- 9:30pm: Magnesium + phosphatidylserine, legs-up-wall pose
- 10:00pm: Lights out (earlier if exhausted)
The biggest game-changer? Accepting that how to treat high DHEA levels in females isn't about quick fixes. It's about rebuilding your foundation. Be patient with yourself – my healing wasn't linear. Some weeks I'd backtrack with stress-induced flare-ups. But now? My energy has returned, my skin cleared, and I finally feel like myself again. You'll get there too.
Leave a Message