review of the clinical studies of DHEA and DHEA-S find no negative side-effects: only positive effects. Overdosage of DHEA, which is common in women, obviously can result in side effects, though.
DHEA-S shown to increase genetic expression of adiponectin in human adipose tissue. This has enormous implications on the link between DHEA and insulin resistance induce obesity. This is a peripheral tissue problem, not a central problem.
human study: revealed a decrease in saturated fatty acids, omega-6 in those supplemented with DHEA-S. DHEA-S was found to improve the metabolic profile of adipose tissue
Only abstract available here, but lower DHEA-S (still in reference normal range) associated with lower bone mineral density and increased osteoporosis risk.
Fascinating article: DHEA found to decrease NF-KappaB activity in the hippocampus region of the brain. This has implications in protecting the brain. In this study, the implication was reduction in inflammation in the hippocampus region in diabetic rat model.
good review of sex hormones and LUPUS; whether it is causative or not, sex hormones trends exist in LUPUS i.e. low DHEA in both sexes, low progesterone in women, and low Testosterone in women>men.