Impact of DHEA supplementation on testosterone and estradiol levels in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials assessing dose and duration effects.

Diabetology & metabolic syndrome · July 2025 · ShuYun He, Kunna Lu, Lianying Zhang, Hanwen Cao, Xinyuan Tang, et al.

What this study found

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on testosterone and estradiol concentrations in postmenopausal women have produced conflicting results. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials aimed to evaluate the impact of DHEA supplementation on serum testosterone and estradiol levels and to provide evidence regarding the optimal dosage and duration of supplementation.

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Clinical questions this paper informs

Synthesis lives on the evidence question — this page shows where the study sits in that analysis.

Core study

Does DHEA supplementation improve health outcomes in aging adults?

DHEA raises circulating androgens and estrogens modestly but lacks robust outcome trial evidence for cardiovascular, cognitive, or mortality benefit in healthy aging adults without documented deficiency.

Open evidence analysis

Supporting literature

Does vitamin D supplementation reduce mortality or major disease?

Meta-analyses show vitamin D supplementation does not significantly reduce all-cause mortality in unselected populations. Targeted repletion may benefit those with documented deficiency.

Open evidence analysis

Supporting literature

Does magnesium supplementation improve metabolic health markers?

Trials in deficient or at-risk individuals show modest improvements in some glycemic and blood pressure markers, but routine supplementation for metabolic disease prevention is not strongly supported in general populations.

Open evidence analysis

Supporting literature

When is growth hormone replacement appropriate in adults?

Growth hormone replacement is evidence-supported for adults with confirmed GH deficiency from pituitary disease, improving body composition and quality of life. Use in healthy aging or performance enhancement lacks safety and efficacy evidence.

Open evidence analysis

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