Injection
Estradiol Cypionate
Long-acting estradiol injection for menopause and perimenopause symptoms and for gender-affirming hormone therapy, given every one to two weeks. Prescribed and dosed by a licensed physician.
Starting at $139/mo
AdrenalEnergyVitality
DHEA Capsules
RxPrescription onlyTaken by mouth · Once a day · 5–50 mg · Adrenal · Energy · Vitality
Starting at $69/mo
Bioidentical DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) for adrenal support and vitality. Take once daily. Upstream hormone supporting testosterone and estrogen production.
How many capsules per month?
MonthlyEvery 3 months
30 capsulesper month
You'll receive 30 capsules per month. $89 billed monthly. Cancel anytime.
Real prices from our pharmacy. Longer plans cost less per month and are billed up front. Pause or cancel anytime.
- Bioidentical DHEA
- Supports adrenal function
- Upstream hormone precursor
Every plan includes
- Personalized, physician-guided plan
- 30 capsules per month, monthly and 3-month
- Dispensed by a US-licensed compounding pharmacy
- Unlimited protocol adjustments and messaging
- Ongoing support and check-ins
- Pause or cancel anytime
- Reviewed by our in-house physicians
- Physician-guided care
- Ongoing, expert support
- 100% online
- Free, discreet shipping
What is DHEA?
(dehydroepiandrosterone)
DHEA is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands and is a precursor to both testosterone and estrogen. Levels peak in your 20s and decline steadily with age. DHEA is studied for energy, sexual function, bone health, and mood. Evidence in healthy aging is mixed but growing. Some physicians use DHEA to support adrenal function and overall vitality.
- How it is taken
- Taken by mouth
- How often
- Once a day
- Dose range
- 5–50 mg
- Form
- Adrenal · Energy · Vitality
Precursor
upstream hormone that converts to testosterone and estrogen
Take 25-100 mg daily, as prescribed. Your physician may check DHEA-S levels 4-6 weeks after starting to confirm dosing.
How it works,
week by week.
Day 1
A US-licensed physician reviews your energy, mood, and adrenal function goals, and discusses which adrenal hormone fits your needs.
Week 1
Start your adrenal hormone in the morning. Most people do not feel immediate effects, this is about rebuilding your adrenal reserve over time.
Weeks 2-4
Some patients notice improved energy or mood. Others take 6-8 weeks to notice change. Your physician monitors your response.
Month 2-3
Check-in. Your physician reviews energy, mood, sleep quality, and any androgenic side effects (acne, hirsutism). Adjust dose if needed.
Beyond
Continue your adrenal hormone as long as it helps. Your physician reassesses every 3-6 months and discusses long-term use.
What you may notice,
and when.
Improved energy
many report steadier, deeper energy within weeks
Better mood and resilience
adrenal support often lifts mood and stress response
Enhanced vitality
supporting the adrenal cascade restores overall vigor
Adrenal backup
these hormones support your body's stress response system
Individual results vary. Benefits reflect what Zepym Health members commonly report to their physician at check-ins; they are not the results of a clinical trial.
Safety first:
what to know before you start.
Important safety information and common side effects
DHEA, pregnenolone, and 7-Keto DHEA are prescription hormones that support adrenal function. Common effects include acne, facial hair in women (hirsutism from DHEA and pregnenolone), mood changes, insomnia if dosed too high or taken late in the day, and mild headache. DHEA and pregnenolone can convert to testosterone and estrogen, so they carry similar hormonal risks. 7-Keto DHEA does not convert to sex hormones and is generally well-tolerated. None are prescribed with hormone-sensitive cancers, and women taking DHEA or pregnenolone who can become pregnant must use reliable contraception. Tell your physician if you experience severe mood changes, severe acne, or significant sleep disruption.
The research behind
DHEA.
DHEA is a hormone precursor made by the adrenal glands. Its best human evidence is in adrenal insufficiency and in a negative trial in older adults; the evidence for 7-keto DHEA and combination products is small and largely sponsor-linked.
- Older adultsNo clinical benefit
The Nair trial gave older men and women with low DHEA levels a placebo or DHEA for about 2 years. Blood DHEA rose, but physical performance, muscle strength, quality of life and insulin sensitivity did not change, and HDL fell.
Nair et al., N Engl J Med 2006 - 7-keto DHEASmall, sponsor-linked trials
A 2000 trial gave overweight adults 7-keto DHEA acetyl ester with diet and exercise for 8 weeks; the treated group lost about 2.9 kg against about 1.0 kg with placebo. A 2023 systematic review found only four eligible studies and could not give a clear answer on weight loss.
Systematic review of 7-keto DHEA and weight loss, 2023 (PMC10348924) - Vaginal DHEAListed as a prescription option
The 2020 Menopause Society statement lists vaginal DHEA inserts as an effective prescription option for genitourinary syndrome of menopause. The oral capsules here were not tested by that route.
The Menopause Society, Menopause 2020;27(9):976-992
What the studies found
- Women with adrenal insufficiency reported better overall well-being, and less depression and anxiety, than on placebo over 4 months (Arlt, NEJM 1999)
- Vaginal DHEA (not these capsules) is a listed prescription option for genitourinary symptoms (Menopause Society, 2020)
- A 2000 trial of 7-keto DHEA in overweight adults reported more weight loss than placebo; a 2023 review found too few studies to confirm it (Kalman, Curr Ther Res 2000)
The Nair trial used DHEA tablets, not compounded capsules. The 7-keto and DHEA-pregnenolone capsules sold here have no outcome trial of their own.
What this does not say
- The Nair trial found no benefit for strength, mood or insulin; raising a low blood level did not translate into a clinical gain.
- Most 7-keto trials were sponsored by a company with a financial stake in the ingredient.
- Combination products with pregnenolone have no outcome trials.
The research
behind it.
DHEA levels naturally decline with age. Some studies suggest DHEA supplementation may improve bone density, sexual function, and mood in aging adults, though not all studies show benefit.
Common side effects include acne, facial hair growth in women (hirsutism), and mood changes. Some risk for androgenic effects. DHEA is not prescribed with hormone-sensitive cancers or in women planning pregnancy.
Hormone therapy beyond hot flashes:
what the research showsBones, the heart, vaginal health and sexual desire: the trials, with their numbers and their limits.Read the researchHormone therapy and breast cancer risk:
what the trials foundEstrogen alone and with progestin, why the two differ, and how physicians weigh it.Read the research
what the research showsBones, the heart, vaginal health and sexual desire: the trials, with their numbers and their limits.Read the researchHormone therapy and breast cancer risk:
what the trials foundEstrogen alone and with progestin, why the two differ, and how physicians weigh it.Read the research
Getting started
takes a few minutes.
- 1
Connect with a physician
Answer a few questions online and a US-licensed physician reviews your health, history and goals to make sure treatment is right for you. 100% online. No in-person visit required.
- 2
Get your discreet shipment
If approved, your treatment is compounded by a US-licensed, LegitScript-certified pharmacy, inspected for quality, and shipped discreetly to your door.
- 3
Receive continuous support
Start with one goal, then keep building over time. Unlimited physician messaging, easy refills and dose adjustments, all from the Zepym Health app.
Frequently asked questions
Contact supportHow do I take DHEA Capsules?
Taken by mouth, once a day, in the morning. The starting prescription is 1 capsule (5 mg) each time. Your physician sets your own dose and it is printed on your label.
What strengths does DHEA Capsules come in?
The pharmacy carries 5: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg. Your physician chooses which one you get.
How much arrives in each shipment?
30 capsules at the starting strength, shipped to your door from a licensed US pharmacy.
Is DHEA the same as testosterone?
No. DHEA is a precursor (upstream) hormone. Your body converts DHEA to both testosterone and estrogen, so the effects are mild compared to direct testosterone therapy. Some people use DHEA to maintain natural hormone balance rather than adding testosterone directly.
Do adrenal hormones give you energy immediately?
No. These are hormones your body slowly converts to other hormones and neurotransmitters. Effects develop gradually over weeks to months. Some people feel changes in energy and mood within 2-4 weeks; others take 8-12 weeks. Patience is essential.
Will I get acne on DHEA or pregnenolone?
Some people do, particularly at higher doses. This is because both can convert to testosterone, which stimulates oil production. If acne develops, tell your physician. You may lower the dose, switch to 7-Keto DHEA (which does not convert to sex hormones), or try a different form.
Can I use adrenal hormones long-term?
Yes, but your physician monitors you regularly. Adrenal hormones work best with good sleep, nutrition, and stress management. Your physician reassesses every 3-6 months to ensure long-term benefit and safety.
DHEA educational content reviewed by our physician
Scott Nass, MD Doctor of Medicine, board-certified in Family Medicine
Charles R. Drew University and David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Family Medicine residency at Ventura County Medical Center.
More options
in this area.
Capsule
7-Keto DHEA Capsules
7-Keto DHEA, a metabolite of DHEA that does not convert to testosterone or estrogen. Supports energy and metabolism without hormonal side effects.
30 capsules per month
Starting at $89/mo
Dissolving tablet
BIEST (20:80) 0.05 mg ODT
A low-dose bioidentical estrogen (20% estriol, 80% estradiol) in a tablet that dissolves in the mouth, for hot flashes, night sweats and other menopause symptoms. Prescribed and dosed by a licensed physician.
30 tablets per month
Starting at $99/mo
Dissolving tablet
BIEST (20:80) 0.1 mg ODT
A stronger dose of bioidentical estrogen (20% estriol, 80% estradiol) in a dissolving tablet, for menopause symptoms not controlled by the lower dose. Prescribed and dosed by a licensed physician.
30 tablets per month
Starting at $99/mo
References
- 1.DHEA replacement therapy: a comprehensive review. Semin Reprod Med, 2009
- 2.Pregnenolone: mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential in aging. Neurobiol Aging, 2014
Prescription products require an online evaluation with a licensed medical professional who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Products are compounded by a licensed pharmacy. The FDA has not reviewed or approved compounded products for any use for safety, efficacy, or quality. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved brand-name products.