07/08/2025
Estrogen gets all the fame during perimenopause, but DHEA? She’s the quiet powerhouse behind the scenes — and girl, she deserves her moment.
Feeling foggy, flat, or frayed as you near perimenopause? Here’s what you actually need to know about DHEA and why it could be the missing piece in your midlife glow-up.
🧬 DHEA = Precursor to Estrogen & Testosterone�It fuels your energy, libido, skin, brain, and bones — basically, your glow.
📉 It declines with age and stress�Cue: fatigue, brain fog, mood dips, dry skin, low s*x drive, and more.
🧠 Symptoms of low DHEA:
* Fatigue
* Brain fog
* Low libido
* Dry skin (and other places 👀)
* Mood swings
* Scattered thoughts
* Bone loss risks
⚡️Why it drops:
* Chronic stress (hello, modern life and hustle culture)
* Poor sleep
* Aging
* Certain meds
* HPA-axis dysfunction (aka hormonal miscommunication)
🔥 Your adrenals are your backup ovaries�When estrogen drops in perimenopause, your adrenals + DHEA step in. But only if they’re not fried by stress + cortisol chaos.
🧘♀️ Support your DHEA naturally�→ Manage stress like it’s your job�→ Sleep like your hormones depend on it (they do)�→ Strength train and eat like a queen (think high protein, healthy fats, complex carbs, magnesium, B vitamins and sulfur-rich foods)
💊 Supplement smart, not blindly�DHEA is powerful. Testing matters. Timing matters. Retesting matters. Always work with a provider who knows their hormones.
⚠️ Too much DHEA? Think acne, mood swings, hair growth where you don’t want it.
💡The takeaway?�DHEA = your unsung hormonal hero. Knowing your levels and supporting your adrenal health can help you reclaim energy, libido, mental clarity & body confidence — yes, even in perimenopause.
✨ You’re not broken. You’re shifting. Let’s work with your body — not against it.
As a functional medicine doctor, I find many women come to me for perimenopause support as they aren’t getting it elsewhere. Instead of looking at perimenopause as a disease or years of potential misery, you can go into it empowered and in control.