Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Matthew Poteet, Pharm.D.

What You Need to Know About Taking Pregnenolone Supplements

The supplement market is saturated with many choices for women, and it can be difficult to determine which ones are right for your specific needs. When it comes to selecting the right vitamins and supplements it’s crucial to do your homework. Determining whether a product may help you address a particular symptom or condition is essential before adding it to your daily supplementation regime.

Among the most beneficial supplements for women is pregnenolone. Continue reading to learn more about pregnenolone and whether it could help you achieve your wellness goals.

What Is Pregnenolone?

Pregnenolone is a naturally occurring hormone that is created from cholesterol. Pregnenolone originates in the brain and adrenal glands but is also synthesized in organs such as the skin, liver, ovaries, and retina. The adrenal gland is responsible for producing pregnenolone, and it is one of the building blocks of progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and other crucial hormones. The hormones it then builds classify pregnenolone as a “precursor hormone” for its crucial role in making steroidal hormones.

Pregnenolone is important not only in creating other hormones that regulate the body, but also the hormones that “cascade” directly from them. All these hormones work in tandem with one another to help balance the body’s response system. Hormones are especially important in balancing the responses of everyday stressors from environmental factors as well as mood and the immune system.

adrenal gland

Why Is Pregnenolone So Important?

Maintaining hormonal balance within the body is key to feeling healthy, and pregnenolone specifically works to regulate the balance between the hormones cortisol, DHEA, and progesterone. Together, these hormones function to enhance the body’s ability to cope with stress by producing the correct amounts of cortisol. This can be true even if you have a high-stress lifestyle due to work-life balance, environmental factors, or illness.

As early as the 1930s, pregnenolone was recognized for its important benefits to the brain. Although it is considered a steroid, it is essentially inactive in its isolated state, but it is critical because it acts as the precursor to other essential hormones. As a result, pregnenolone can influence brain functions in memory, learning, mood, and cognitive function. In addition, people with neuroinflammatory diseases typically show a lower level of pregnenolone, which indicates that this hormone can also benefit the body by reducing inflammation and protecting the immune system.

How Does Pregnenolone Affect Women?

How Does Pregnenolone Affect Women

Women who choose to take pregnenolone supplements often seek to alleviate excessive fatigue and boost their energy; others may use it to improve memory function, particularly as a result of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Still, others find that pregnenolone can help to address symptoms of trauma, promote healing from injuries, and aid in coping with stress and immune problems. Topically, pregnenolone has also been used to treat skin disorders, including psoriasis and scleroderma.

Because of the synthetic version’s positive effect on the regeneration of vital hormones, women also use pregnenolone to address fibrocystic breast disease, which causes breast tissue to form lumps. Other uses include the treatment of endometriosis, which causes excess uterine tissue to grow outside the uterus. Another common use is to alleviate symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, weight gain, fatigue, night sweats, sleep problems, and vaginal dryness, as well as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which can cause painful uterine cramping, mood swings, and irritability, depression, bloating, and difficulty sleeping.

Other uses of pregnenolone supplements are to help with the swelling and inflammation associated with arthritis. Pregnenolone may also enable the skin to maintain its elasticity, slowing or reversing wrinkles and lines. This supplement may alleviate feelings of depression and hopelessness, strengthen the heart’s ability to circulate blood throughout the body, and improve the ability to withstand different levels of exercise. Additionally, some try pregnenolone because it can help reduce symptoms of autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus, or other hereditary afflictions like seizures.

Benefits of Pregnenolone for Women

Naturally occurring pregnenolone is a staple of the human body because it is the basis for the material that makes a number of essential hormones in women, who tend to experience greater hormonal fluctuations at certain periods of their lives or as a result of immunocompromisation. Women who suffer from depression, stress, anxiety, and other mood disorders may find relief from taking this in supplement form. In addition, pregnenolone may help improve sleep quality and duration, which can also have an even more beneficial impact on mood regulation and mental well-being.

Benefits of Pregnenolone for Women

Women who are trying to lose weight may also notice benefits from pregnenolone because it can increase energy and improve sleep quality, which in turn helps motivate people to move their bodies and exercise more often. It may also inhibit the production of cortisol–which may, in fact, be stress-induced–and begin to reduce bloating and fat deposits in the midsection.

If memory loss, lack of focus, or learning difficulties are posing problems, women may take this as a supplement to boost their brain power. Because pregnenolone helps the brain regenerate myelin, the brain then benefits from the increased protection surrounding its neurons. These can more quickly reform new synapses, potentially improving many aspects of memory, learning, and cognition.

Pregnenolone FAQs

While pregnenolone can have many benefits for women, it is essential to consider your condition, how pregnenolone works in the body, and determine your proper dosing before you make a purchase. Here are some of the most commonly asked pregnenolone questions.

How Much Pregnenolone Should a Woman Take?
Dosage will depend on a variety of factors, such as your age, what symptoms or illness you seek to treat, and more. Oftentimes, pharmacists suggest starting with a smaller dosage initially, then using this excellent information to determine how much you should administer moving forward. Our pharmaceutical doctors have extensive experience creating compounds in particular dosages to fit the needs of a wide variety of patients, and our retailers can assist as well with any questions or concerns surrounding dosing.

The typical starting dosage for pregnenolone supplementation is 30 mg, but the right dosage for your body type, age, and health requirements can vary and may change throughout the course of your treatment depending on how your body responds. As women age, their hormone levels decrease; therefore, if they decide to take pregnenolone as a supplement, a higher dosage may be more beneficial. In clinical settings, dosing is often used as a treatment at 100 mg, and in some research, settings have been given up to 700 mg.

How Do I Know if I Need Pregnenolone?
There are some warning signs to be aware of that may indicate that you could benefit from taking pregnenolone as a supplement. One obvious indicator is age because the older a woman becomes, the more health problems may begin to present – and many of these issues are rooted in hormonal imbalance. If your body has begun to slow the production of certain hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, estrogen, or cortisol, or lab tests indicate your body is not metabolizing hormones at the same rate it once was, you may be ready to try pregnenolone.

As pregnenolone can help ease women into the aging process and subdue some of the sudden and uncomfortable symptoms they may experience with menopause and getting older, the appearance of these symptoms is a likely sign you should consider pregnenolone. If your hormone fluctuations have impacted your day-to-day life and you feel as though you cannot pay attention anymore, concentrate when you need to, or remember tasks, names, actions, and conversations, lack of pregnenolone may be a factor in these symptoms.

Likewise, if you experience excessive fatigue, sleepiness, and lack of energy, which is preventing you from enjoying life and being productive at work or other daily endeavors, this may be another indication of hormonal imbalance due to decreased pregnenolone. Other physical symptoms that manifest in some women are excessively dry skin in the form of psoriasis or scleroderma, joint pain and inflammation, and muscle stiffness and sensitivity. Some women report that their sex drive has decreased or become non-existent; this is often due to hormone reduction in the body.

An adult woman aged 18 or older may present with anywhere from 33 ng/dL to 248 ng/dL (nanogram per deciliter) of pregnenolone in a blood test. If a laboratory test indicates that an adult woman has a low amount of pregnenolone, they may be a good candidate for a supplement.

What Are the Side Effects of Pregnenolone Supplements?
As with any medicine or supplement, there is a minimal risk of adverse effects. Some side effects may be so mild that they are canceled out by the benefits, but you should be aware of them nonetheless. After taking pregnenolone supplements for 1-3 months, some women experienced mood swings, anxiety attacks, increased fatigue, headaches, and irregular heart rhythms. These symptoms manifested themselves in isolation as well as in the presence of other medications, so if you choose to take pregnenolone supplements, monitor your reactions for anything that may cause concern.

If you have prescriptions for other medications, as well, consider asking a compounding pharmacist to compound medication for you. This can help you combine several medications into one and reduce the number of medications you need to take on a daily basis.

Can pregnenolone be taken with other vitamins or supplements?
Yes, pregnenolone can often be taken alongside other vitamins and supplements, but it’s important to ensure they do not interact negatively. Consulting with a healthcare professional or pharmacist before starting pregnenolone, especially if you are already taking other supplements or medications, is recommended. This ensures that your regimen is tailored for safety and optimal benefit.
How quickly can I expect to see results from taking pregnenolone?
The time frame for noticing results from pregnenolone supplementation can vary based on individual factors such as age, dosage, health condition, and overall lifestyle. Some people may start to notice subtle changes within a few days to a couple of weeks, while for others, it may take a month or more to experience the full benefits. It is important to follow recommended dosage instructions and maintain consistent use for the best results. Consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance is also advisable.
Why Purchase Pregnenolone from Compounding Pharmacy of America?
Choosing pregnenolone from Compounding Pharmacy of America means investing in quality and trust. Our pregnenolone supplements are carefully sourced to ensure potency and effectiveness, giving you confidence in your health regimen. Our supplements are part of our commitment to offering high-quality vitamins and wellness products that support your health goals. Trust Compounding Pharmacy of America for supplements that help you live a vibrant, healthy life.

Take Charge of Your Health at Any Age

Regardless of your age, you may be experiencing uncomfortable or debilitating symptoms that have impacted your quality of life, or you may have been diagnosed with a disorder that has altered your normal capabilities. If this is the case, consider the benefits of safe, high-quality supplemental pregnenolone. It may feel daunting or embarrassing to admit that your memory and concentration are faltering or that you are experiencing painful dryness in private areas or manifesting itself as an unsightly and uncomfortable skin condition, but you should not feel as though you must bear these symptoms alone.

Many women avoid discussing the discomforts of menopause or their lack of interest in sex with their partner with a physician. Others may simply associate joint and muscle pain with old age. However, you should know that you can benefit by kickstarting your hormone production with the reintroduction of the correct levels of pregnenolone in supplement form.

Pregnenolone 25 mg

Remember also that supplements are not a magic bullet – the more you make positive changes in your lifestyle, the better they will work. The good news is that starting on a pregnenolone dose can positively impact your energy levels, focus, concentration, mood, weight, and more. This can, in turn, function as positive motivation to embark on a more holistic wellness journey that will benefit you in the long run, not just as a temporary fix. The important thing to remember when considering pregnenolone is that hormone imbalance, fluctuation, and the increase or decrease of levels throughout a woman’s life are completely natural and normal, and you do not need to accept pain, discomfort, mental anguish or a limited quality of life because of it.

Women's Hormone Health

Ready to explore how pregnenolone can support your journey to renewed health and vitality?

At Compounding Pharmacy of America, we offer high-quality vitamins and supplements to help you take proactive steps toward a healthier, more fulfilling life. Visit our store today to learn more and make informed choices for your well-being.


Resources :

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  4. Cai HL, Zhou X, Dougherty GG, et al. Pregnenolone-progesterone-allopregnanolone pathway as a potential therapeutic target in first-episode antipsychotic-naïve patients with schizophreniaPsychoneuroendocrinol. 2018;90:43-51. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.02.004
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  7. Kashani L, Shams N, Moazen-Zadeh E, et al. Pregnenolone as an adjunct to risperidone for the treatment of women with schizophrenia: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trialJ Psychiatric Res. 2017;94:70-77. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.06.011
  8. Rash, J. A., Toivonen, K., Robert, M., Nasr-Esfahani, M., Jarrell, J. F., & Campbell, T. S. (2017). Protocol for a placebo-controlled, within-participants crossover trial evaluating the efficacy of intranasal oxytocin to improve pain and function among women with chronic pelvic musculoskeletal pain. BMJ open7(4), e014909. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014909
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This Article Medically Reviewed By:

Matthew Poteet, Pharm.D. - Compounding Pharmacist

Dr. Matthew Poteet, Pharm.D.

Dr. Matt Poteet, Pharm.D., is a distinguished pharmacist and Chief Operating Officer at The Compounding Pharmacy of America. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Poteet is a recognized leader in compounding pharmacy, specializing in sterile products, anti-aging therapies, and personalized medicine.

Dr. Poteet graduated with Honors from Lee University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science. He went on to complete his Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy in 2004.

Dr. Poteet holds the distinction of being Tennessee’s first Board Certified Anti-Aging Pharmacist, accredited by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.

ABAAHP Certification and FAARFM Fellowship

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