Impotence (also known as erectile dysfunction or ED) and Erectile Dysfunction (ED) are common sexual problems that affect men of all ages and backgrounds. While age can be one cause of impotence, there are also other factors that contribute to erectile dysfunction and impotence, such as stress, medical conditions, injuries, psychological causes, and physical illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity. In this article, we’ll help you understand DHEA’s effects on erectile dysfunction and impotence.

What Is DHEA?

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a natural hormone that our bodies produce as we age. DHEA also acts as a precursor to other hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. DHEA levels drop in both men and women as they get older but aging itself isn’t what causes sexual dysfunction or impotence. 

Age-related hormonal changes play a role in many cases of sexual dysfunction. An imbalance in sex hormones, especially declining levels of testosterone, leads to low libido in both men and women but decreased blood flow to certain areas of a man’s body-the penis in particular-can also cause erectile dysfunction.

How Does DHEA Help with Erectile Dysfunction Either Directly or Indirectly?

A study conducted in 2012 at Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India, showed that men with erectile dysfunction (ED) experienced increased sexual arousal after taking DHEA. Sexual stimulation appears to have a profound effect on DHEA levels in men with ED. However, more research is needed to fully understand exactly how DHEA affects erections in these patients. 

More research is also needed to confirm if sexual dysfunction is indeed a consequence of low DHEA levels. Further investigation into other common sexual disorders like impotence may be warranted to assess whether treating these conditions with supplemental doses of DHEA would be beneficial for patients suffering from low testosterone. 

Although many studies suggest that there are benefits associated with using DHEA supplements to treat sexual dysfunction, it’s important to note that not all studies report positive results. For example, a 2011 study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found no significant improvement in libido or sexual function among healthy women who took 50 mg of DHEA daily for four weeks.

Additional research needs to be done before any conclusions can be drawn about whether or not DHEA supplementation can help improve sexual function among women who suffer from sexual dysfunction.

Is There Scientific Evidence for DHEA’s Use in Impotence and Sexual Dysfunction?

Yes, according to some evidence. There are few controlled studies testing DHEA in men with erectile dysfunction, but there is evidence that it may help. In one double-blind study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers gave either 25 or 50 milligrams of DHEA to older men with low levels of testosterone (the male hormone) over a period of eight weeks. For more information on age and DHEA consumption click here.

Results showed no significant changes in total testosterone between groups, but those taking 50 milligrams reported more sexual desire than those taking 25 milligrams.

Other research has found that higher levels of DHEA are associated with improved sexual function for women as well as for men and that adding DHEA supplements to hormone replacement therapy can improve sex drive for women going through menopause.

DHEA: Hormones and Testosterone

DHEA supplements are available in health food stores and have long been used as a natural way to treat testosterone deficiency. Study findings show that DHEA is not effective at increasing testosterone levels, but it does help men suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence, a lack of sexual desire often associated with aging. 

The same study found that using DHEA may increase men’s overall sexual satisfaction. Men who took DHEA reported having more spontaneous erections than those who didn’t take DHEA or placebo pills; it also helped them achieve an erection when they weren’t aroused sexually.

How to Choose a High-Quality Product

In recent years, more attention has been given to sexual health issues in men than ever before. With erectile dysfunction and impotence affecting nearly 20 million men in America alone, it’s no wonder that so many people are looking for ways to boost their sex lives. One of these is DHEA. 

A common ingredient in dietary supplements, DHEA offers an array of benefits that make it a must-have for anyone who wants to improve their sexual performance. But just because DHEA is beneficial doesn’t mean it’s a good product-as with any product, there are high-quality brands out there as well as some low-quality products you should avoid. 

It’s worth noting that while most sexual dysfunction treatments do not require a prescription, DHEA does fall into one category of ED treatments which do: PDE5 inhibitors, such as Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra. Because of its similarity to testosterone, DHEA can cause hormonal imbalances when taken at higher doses. If you have already started taking PDE5 inhibitors and want to try adding DHEA into your regimen, consult your doctor first. They will be able to help you figure out if combining them is safe or not.

Side Effects from Using Too Much DHEA

Some research has shown that taking higher doses of DHEA may cause side effects, including nausea, headache, sweating, and insomnia. However, a study published in Maturitas in December 2004 found that when taken at 25-50 milligrams per day for three months, DHEA was well tolerated by patients with sexual dysfunction. 

Make sure you talk to your doctor about these potential side effects before you start taking DHEA if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are currently being treated for a medical condition. Do not stop taking any medication without first talking to your doctor. Your physician will be able to help determine if DHEA is right for you based on his or her knowledge of your health history and medications.

Also, there is the belief that DHEA levels can affect hair loss and hair growth.

Final Thoughts

If you have ED, low libido, or simply want to maximize your sexual performance, DHEA may be just what you’re looking for. This powerful hormone promotes healthier levels of testosterone in women (both pre-and post-menopausal) as well as men. It also improves erections; increases sex drive; supports healthy sperm production; combats premature ejaculation; treats anxiety that causes sexual dysfunction in both men and women. 

You may use it to enhance orgasm strength because it’s an anti-depressant that also fights mood disorders that cause erectile dysfunction in men (such as ADHD); has antioxidant properties to fight free radical damage to delicate reproductive tissues. The list goes on and on. In addition, it seems every day a new study shows some new benefits of using DHEA.