What is DHEA? DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone is the most common hormone in our bodies and is referred to as the “mother” hormone. The DHEA hormone is synthesized from cholesterol and secreted by walnut-sized adrenal glands situated just above your kidneys. Without DHEA your body cannot produce other hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone or cortisol, as DHEA functions as a precursor to male and female sex hormones. DHEA production peaks in your mid-twenties with t