Androgens

Androstenediol

A name requiring isomer precision; steroid-receptor activity does not itself establish improved performance or cognition.

Primary receptor-structure experiment; clinical use not established by this evidence; evidence checked 2026-10-01

Also known as: 5-Androstenediol · 5-AED

Androstenediol molecular structure — Structure reference · C19H30O2

Practical use

Evidence interpretation and concrete review questions

Resolve the name: Ask for the full chemical name, including double-bond position and stereochemistry.
Identify the experiment: Separate receptor crystals, cells, animals and treated people.
Match the promised outcome: A cognition or training claim needs its own relevant human comparison.

Recognition by human estrogen receptors

PubChem chemical identity; checked October 1, 2026

Overview

This guide focuses on endogenous 5-androstene-3β,17β-diol, often called 5-androstenediol. The unqualified word androstenediol is easily confused with 4-androstenediol or 1-androstenediol. Studies must specify the structure before their results can be compared.

Risks and limitations

It has estrogen-receptor activity despite its androgen-precursor description. The structural study provides no human adverse-event rate, useful supplementation target or proof of neurological benefit.

How to read this

A molecule can participate in more than one hormone-signaling pathway. Labels such as “testosterone precursor” leave out that complexity.

Research explained

Recognition by human estrogen receptors

Who was studied

Crystal-structure experiments on human ERα and ERβ ligand-binding domains complexed with androstenediol and a coactivator-derived peptide.

What was found

The molecule stabilized active receptor conformations. Similar binding arrangements suggested subtle contacts, rather than a wholly different receptor shape, contributed to selectivity.