Can Pregnenolone Cause Cancer?

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Overview

Hormone levels, especially sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, decline as you age. Pregnenolone is a natural precursor to these, and many other, hormones. Pregnenolone will not itself cause cancer, although it can worsen existing hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast and prostate cancer. Only take pregnenolone under a doctor’s supervision.

Pregnenolone

Many classes of hormones — including estrogens, androgens, progesterone, corticosteroids and mineralocorticoids — are steroidal in structure. All steroid hormones are produced from the molecule pregnenolone. By providing more raw materials, pregnenolone is thought to combat age-related decline in hormone levels. However, hormone levels are tightly regulated, and it is unlikely that pregnenolone will be completely effective in restoring youthful hormone levels by itself.

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Cancer

Cancer results from unregulated growth of cells in your body, causing a mass called a tumor. Your cells contain many mechanisms for preventing cells from growing out of control. Cancer results when damage to the DNA in a cell accumulates in a way that prevents growth regulation from functioning correctly. Damage to DNA can result from your body's natural production of free radicals, exposure to radiation and certain chemicals.

Hormone-Sensitive Cancers

Hormones control the biochemical activities of certain cell types in your body, such as breast tissue. If cells of these types become cancerous, they are still encouraged to grow by hormones. Drugs to block the effects of hormone are used to treat hormone-sensitive cancer, particularly breast cancer. Taking pregnenolone can interfere with the effects of these drugs.

Other Safety Concerns

Little is know about the possible health effects of pregnenolone supplementation, according to the American Cancer Society. Consult with your doctor before taking pregnenolone to determine whether taking it will be safe or effective with your individual health. Never take pregnenolone without your doctor’s permission if you have been diagnosed with a hormone-sensitive cancer, even if it is in remission.