What is the Difference Between DHEA and Pregnenolone

The key difference between DHEA and pregnenolone is that DHEA is a hormone naturally produced by adrenal glands and helps to produce other hormones such as testosterone and estrogen while pregnenolone is a pro-hormone naturally produced by certain parts of the brain and it helps to produce other hormones such as stress, sex and neuron hormones.

Hormones control the lives of people. They are chemical messengers that directly secrete into the blood. They maintain different bodily functions. Some hormones are made from amino acids. But many of them are produced from cholesterol-like lipid molecules. Cholesterol is the precursor of the five major classes of steroid hormones; glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, androgens, progestagens, and estrogens. DHEA and pregnenolone are two steroid hormones and pro-hormones that are synthesized from a cholesterol precursor molecule.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is DHEA
3. What is Pregnenolone
4. Similarities – DHEA and Pregnenolone
5. DHEA vs Pregnenolone in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is DHEA?

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone naturally produced by adrenal glands, and it helps to produce other hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. The molecular formula of DHEA is C₁₉H₂₈O₂. The natural DHEA levels peak in early adulthood and then slowly fall through ageing process. The synthetic version of this hormone is available in pharmacies as a tablet, capsule, powder, topical cream and gel. Many people use DHEA as an anti-ageing therapy. Doctors recommend this hormone to improve physical performance, treat depression, and treat the symptoms of menopause. Furthermore, DHEA can also be used for increasing sex drive, build muscles, virginal atrophy and improve some health conditions. But these claims are sometimes not supported by proper evidence. Naturally, DHEA supplements can be made from wild yam and soy. Prasterone is a synthetic version of DHEA.

Figure 01: DHEA

Most importantly, using DHEA supplements without a prescription from doctors may cause some serious side effects. The possible side effects may increase steroid effects and hormone-sensitive cancers such as prostrate, breast, and ovarian. They may also increase the risk of ischemic heart disease and reduce the good cholesterol level in the body.

What is Pregnenolone?

Pregnenolone is a pro-hormone naturally produced by certain parts of the brain, and it helps to produce other hormones such as stress, sex, and neuron hormones. Pregnenolone is a precursor for producing other steroid hormones such as progesterone, DHEA, estrogen, cortisol, and testosterone. The molecular formula of this pro-hormone is C₂₁H₃₂O₂. There is no single hormone as influential as pregnenolone. It is also known as the mother of all hormones.

Figure 02: Pregnenolone

Pregnenolone can be useful in age-related memory impairment. In alternative medicine, it is used in many health problems such as Alzheimer’s disease, allergies, arthritis, depression, endometriosis, fatigue, multiple sclerosis, menopausal syndrome, fibrocystic breast condition, premenstrual syndrome, psoriasis, scleroderma, etc. Moreover, the possible side effects of using pregnenolone without proper prescription include insomnia, anxiety, mood changes, headache, irregular heart rhythm, facial hair growth or hair loss.

Similarities Between DHEA and Pregnenolone

DHEA and pregnenolone are both steroids in nature.
Both are made from a cholesterol precursor molecule.
Both can function as precursors for making other important hormones in the body.

Difference Between DHEA and Pregnenolone

DHEA is a hormone naturally produced by adrenal glands, and it helps to produce other hormones such as testosterone and estrogen, while pregnenolone is a pro-hormone that naturally produced by certain parts of the brain, and it helps to produce other hormones such as stress, sex and neuron hormones. So, this is the key difference between DHEA and pregnenolone. Furthermore, the molecular formula of DHEA is C₁₉H₂₈O_2, whereas the molecular formula of pregnenolone is C₂₁H₃₂O₂.

The following infographic lists the differences between DHEA and pregnenolone in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – DHEA vs Pregnenolone

Steroid hormones are steroids synthesized from the cholesterol precursor molecule. DHEA and pregnenolone are two steroid hormones and pro-hormones. DHEA is a hormone naturally produced by adrenal glands. It helps to produce other hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. Pregnenolone is a pro-hormone that naturally produced by certain parts of the brain. It helps to produce other hormones such as progesterone, DHEA, estrogen, cortisol, and testosterone. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between DHEA and pregnenolone.

Reference:

1. “Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): Uses, Side Effects, and Interactions.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, Available here.
2. Wong, Cathy. “How Taking Pregnenolone Might Boost Brain Health.” Verywell Mind, 3 Feb. 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate 3D ball” By Jynto (talk) – Own work This image was created with Discovery Studio Visualizer., CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “From pregnenolone to progesterone” By Calvero – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia