Progesterone increase under DHEA-substitution in males
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Updated: Sep 25, 2026

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies
Published on: January 10, 2025
Chris Nadjafi-Triebsch1, Michael Huell, Dieter Burki
1MD Gyn/Ob and Consultant in Womens' Health, Basle, Switzerland. chris.nadjafi@quintiles.com
Abstract:
Two case reports of men suffering from excessive fatigue and depression are presented, both treated with 50 or 25 mg DHEA per day over a period of 1 year. Under DHEA treatment one subject reported being less tired and the other experienced improved well-being without depressive episodes and an increase in libido. Investigations of sex hormone parameters in plasma before and under treatment revealed a decrease of testosterone and an increase of progesterone in both, possibly dose-dependent to DHEA application. It is hypothesised that the increase of progesterone is parallel to an increase of its metabolite allopregnanolone (which was not determined), that might explain the improvement in well-being. The increase of progesterone under DHEA supplementation in males should receive further attention.
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