Pregnenolone
A hormone the body makes from cholesterol and turns into other hormones, including DHEA, progesterone, cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone. Research on supplements is limited and mixed.
Supplements can interact with medications and aren't right for everyone, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or with a chronic condition. Ask your provider before you start.
Studied for
- Low pregnenolone on a blood test
- Mood and memory (early, mixed research)
- Some adrenal and hormone protocols (with a practitioner)
Found naturally in
- Made by your body from cholesterol, mainly in the adrenal glands, ovaries, and brain
- Not found in foods, and wild yam doesn't convert to it
Label red flags
- Wild yam listed as a source of pregnenolone
- Adrenal, memory, or 'hormone balance' blends that include pregnenolone without stating how much
- Starting it without baseline hormone testing
Check with a provider
- Hormone-sensitive conditions, such as breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or fibroids
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive
- Taking hormone therapy, birth control, DHEA, or steroid medicines (it can raise other hormones)
- PCOS or high androgens (it may raise testosterone)
- Signs of excess, such as acne, hair changes, irritability, trouble sleeping, or changes in your cycle
Usually found in adrenal support formulas, memory and mood formulas, some menopause formulas. Browse Dr. Lesher's dispensary
Parts of the body it affects
Explore what each area does and the conditions that can affect it.
Adrenal glands
These small glands on top of your kidneys make cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline, which manage energy, blood pressure, and your stress response.
Brain & nerves
Your brain, spinal cord, and nerves carry every signal in your body, from movement and sensation to mood and memory.
Illustrations: Servier Medical Art, CC BY 4.0
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Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.