DHEA hormone. Computer model of the structure of the human hormone DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). Atoms are shown as balls and are colour-coded: carbon (gold), oxygen (red) and hydrogen (blue). DHEA is produced in the adrenal glands of both sexes and leads to the production of all the sex hormones. It is an androgen hormone, the class of hormones associated with secondary sexual characteristics in males. In addition, DHEA is thought to play a role in counteracting the ageing process in humans.