DHEA - short for dehydroepiandrosterone, is a naturally occurring prohormone. It's the most abundant prohormone in the human body. Learn what DHEA is, how it counterbalances cortisol, the stress response hormone. Men and women make more and more DHEA from birth to about age 25. Then levels decline at a rate of about 2% per year. DHEA is a precursor foundation for all androgenic and estrogenic hormones, and it counterbalances cortisol. DHEA has no dangerous side effects, so it can be purchased and used without a prescription. Past age 35 men and women should be using DHEA daily as a skin cream called Twist 25 DHEA cream. Learn why the cream works; pills do not. Maintain hormones for physical and mental well-being.