<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In today\u2019s modern high-stress environment, cortisol is often referred to as the “stress hormone,” but its role in the body is far more complex than most of us know. Produced by the adrenal glands in response to both good and<\/em> bad types of stress (think going on a first date or playing in the big leagues vs being diagnosed with a disease or involved in a car crash), cortisol affects various physiological functions like exercise, and<\/em> plays a pivotal role in numerous body systems, including metabolism, immune function, and\u2014of course\u2014the body’s stress response. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although cortisol is essential for survival and homeostasis (keeping your body\u2019s systems \u201cbalanced\u201d), too much cortisol for too long can negatively impact multiple body systems. Let\u2019s take a look at what cortisol does in the body, the potential consequences of cortisol imbalance, and how hormonal birth control may affect cortisol levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cortisol is primarily produced in the adrenal cortex, which is the outer layer of the adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys. Cortisol is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis<\/a>, which maintains homeostasis and helps the body respond to stressful situations.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the brain perceives stress, two systems are activated. One is the sympathetic nervous system, which includes the fight-flight-freeze response we\u2019re all familiar with. The second system is the HPA axis. When activated, the first component of the HPA axis, the hypothalamus (the part of the brain that regulates body temperature, hunger, mood, blood pressure, and sleep), releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) [1]. The release of CRH in turn stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) which then signals the adrenal glands to release cortisol into the bloodstream. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cortisol follows a diurnal rhythm in healthy individuals. This means that levels peak in the early morning and gradually decline throughout the day. This cycle, known as the cortisol awakening response (CAR), sees cortisol levels rapidly increasing in the first 30-45 minutes after waking up in the morning, which is essential for promoting alertness and preparing the body for the demands of the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A 2024 study<\/a> in Endocrine Reviews<\/em> found that wake time (what time you wake up), mentally preparing for the next day\u2019s events, and one\u2019s mood from the prior day regulate the CAR for the next day, affecting emotional regulation, brain plasticity, cognitive functioning, immune regulation, and energy production [2].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cortisol plays a central role in the regulation of glucose metabolism, particularly in relation to exercise<\/a>. It stimulates gluconeogenesis (the production of sugar from fat and protein sources, mostly by the liver), ensuring that the body has an adequate supply of energy during times of acute stress. Cortisol also adjusts the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, influencing body composition, blood glucose and insulin levels, and energy expenditure [3].\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The HPA axis produces cortisol as a reaction to acute exposure to stress (short bursts that quickly fade) and enhances the activity of white blood cells as well as pro-inflammatory cells. These cells play a crucial role in the initial immune response to infection or injury, and recruit other immune cells to the site of injury [4].<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, in a state of chronic<\/em> stress, these pro-inflammatory cells can cause harm, a decrease in the body\u2019s ability to fight off infection and illness, and increased vulnerability to diseases like arthritis, heart disease, and cancer [4].<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the American Heart Association<\/a>, \u201cIn a study of more than 400 adults with normal blood pressure, those who had high levels of stress hormones detected in their urine were more likely to develop high blood pressure over the next 6-7 years.\u201d High blood pressure is in turn linked to an increased likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the brain, cortisol plays a role in mood regulation, memory, and cognitive function. Short-term increases in cortisol help the body to respond to stress effectively, enhancing memory and alertness [6].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite its positive acute effects, chronically high cortisol levels can impair cognitive function and are linked to mood disorders such as anxiety and depression [7]. Chronic stress and elevated cortisol are associated with hippocampal shrinking (the hippocampus is the part of the brain responsible for memory formation and consolidation). <\/p>\n\n\n\n A 2023 study in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience<\/em><\/a> found that cortisol levels were significantly higher in older adults with Alzheimer’s Disease compared to healthy elders. \u201cHigher cortisol levels were significantly associated with smaller left hippocampal volumes in [healthy seniors] and indirectly negatively correlated to memory function through hippocampal volume. Higher cortisol levels were further related to lower gray matter volume in the hippocampus\u201d [7].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Persistently high cortisol levels are also associated with metabolic disorders<\/a>, including insulin resistance<\/a>, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Not only does stress affect behaviors like overeating and overconsumption of foods high in sugar and fat, but it also tends to shorten sleep and decrease physical activity, leading to an increase in obesity [8].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, elevated cortisol levels can cause muscle breakdown and osteoporosis. Cortisol is a catabolic hormone. This means, as previously mentioned, that it breaks down fats and proteins to use as energy. In times of chronic stress, cortisol may lead to the breakdown of skeletal muscle and bone to turn into the energy needed to maintain the stress response, leading to reduced mobility and increased likelihood of injury [9].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes cortisol disorders aren\u2019t<\/em> stress-related<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several cortisol-related disorders that aren\u2019t <\/em>caused by stress, though they do affect the body\u2019s ability to process stressful situations. The two most common ones are Cushing\u2019s syndrome and Addison’s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cushing’s syndrome is a disorder characterized by excessive<\/em> cortisol production. Adrenal insufficiency, or Addison\u2019s disease, is a condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough<\/em> cortisol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both conditions<\/a> arise from dysregulated cortisol secretion. Cushing\u2019s syndrome can lead to a range of symptoms, including weight gain, hypertension, and osteoporosis<\/a>. Addison\u2019s disease, on the other hand, can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, and low blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Excess cortisol can affect every aspect of health, including hormonal and sexual health. Irregular menstrual cycle, low libido<\/a>, and mood changes can be a sign of changing hormone levels due to increased stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While mainly thought of as a male hormone, testosterone<\/a> plays a vital role in women as well, because it’s necessary for developing and maintaining muscle mass, producing blood cells in bone marrow, regulating metabolism and cholesterol levels, improving sleep quality, and supporting libido.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elevated cortisol levels due to chronic stress may decrease testosterone [10]. A decrease in testosterone levels in women can lead to obesity, muscle loss, poor sleep, decreased bone density, joint pain, and even infertility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The relationship between estrogen<\/a> and cortisol can be a two-way street. When a woman is under high stress, whether physical or emotional, her body may perceive that it\u2019s not a good time to ovulate. Consequently, it may tamp down on its production of estrogen, which typically rises dramatically before ovulation. Decreased estrogen levels secondary to chronic stress can lead to the same side effects as menopause<\/a>\u2013hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, and irregular periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, high estrogen levels caused by synthetic estrogen medications can lead to an increase in cortisol levels, as occurs with hormonal birth control (more on this below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In general, when cortisol levels rise, so does progesterone<\/a> production [11]. However, chronic <\/em>stress is associated with low<\/em> progesterone levels<\/a> and all the accompanying symptoms, such as irregular periods and abnormal bleeding, migraines, weight gain, lower libido, mood swings especially with anxiety and depression, and increased susceptibility to uterine fibroids<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Interestingly, the relationship between chronic stress and lowered progesterone appears to be a result of upstream HPA axis changes (remember that the HPA axis controls multiple hormonal cascades, not just cortisol production) and not due to the elevated cortisol levels per se<\/em> [12]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a book that\u2019s been making waves on the internet over the past few years called This is Your Brain on Birth Control<\/em><\/a>, evolutionary psychologist Sarah E. Hill, PhD, explains how and why women on hormonal contraceptives have altered stress responses compared to women not taking HBC.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Natural Womanhood previously quoted in our article \u201cThe Pill and Stress: How Hormonal Contraception Might Make it Harder for You to Cope<\/a>,\u201d Dr Hill notes that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Pill-taking women\u2019s pattern of HPA-axis function looks suspiciously similar to that of someone who has experienced chronic stress, suggesting that the Pill might actually cause the HPA axis to go into overdrive, requiring it to [eventually] take coordinated action to blunt itself.\u201d (You can read more about Hill\u2019s book here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n A 2023 study by the University of Quebec published in Frontiers in Endocrinology<\/em><\/a> (and as expanded on in this Natural Womanhood article<\/a>) looked at the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) of women on HBC, women that have never used HBC, and men as an added control group. The researchers noted, \u201cthis part of the prefrontal cortex is thought to sustain emotion regulation, such as decreasing fear signals in the context of a safe situation\u201d [13].\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Notably, the researchers found that the women using hormonal contraceptives had thinner <\/em>vmPFCs compared to both men and never-using women. The researchers concluded \u201cOur result may represent a mechanism by which [HBC] could impair emotion regulation in women\u201d [13]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For even more on the relationship between HBC and stress, check out the following Natural Womanhood articles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to cortisol, too much of a good thing can be harmful to metabolic, immune, and cognitive health. On the one hand, cortisol is a vital hormone involved in regulating a wide range of physiological processes, from metabolism to immune response. However, when cortisol levels are chronically elevated, especially due to prolonged stress, various health problems, including metabolic disturbances, immune suppression, and cognitive decline, may result. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Managing stress, quitting hormonal birth control,<\/a> exercise, and leading an overall healthy lifestyle can help keep cortisol levels within normal range, in the \u201csweet spot\u201d for optimal functioning.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow cortisol is made in the body<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cortisol levels naturally change throughout the day<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What does cortisol do for you?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Cortisol affects cardiovascular health by regulating blood pressure [5]. Cortisol enhances the sensitivity of blood vessels to vasoconstriction (when blood vessels get smaller, which increases blood pressure\u2013imagine drinking through a cocktail straw compared to a regular straw). <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Chronically elevated cortisol is linked to mood and cognitive disorders and metabolic issues<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mood and cognitive disorders<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Metabolic disorders
<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow does cortisol interact with your reproductive hormones?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Testosterone<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Estrogen<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Progesterone<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cortisol and hormonal birth control<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Insights from This is Your Brain on Birth Control<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hormonal birth control can impact your prefrontal cortex, which regulates emotional response<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The bottom line on cortisol: Too much of a good thing can be harmful to metabolic, immune, cognitive health<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
References:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n[1] Allen MJ, Sharma S. Physiology, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK500031\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n[2] Tobias Stalder, Henrik Oster, James L Abelson, Katharina Huthsteiner, Tim Klucken, Angela Clow, The Cortisol Awakening Response: Regulation and Functional Significance, Endocrine Reviews<\/em>, Volume 46, Issue 1, February 2025, Pages 43\u201359, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1210\/endrev\/bnae024<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n[3] Hackney AC, Walz EA. Hormonal adaptation and the stress of exercise training: the role of glucocorticoids. Trends Sport Sci. 2013;20(4):165-171. PMID: 29882537; PMCID: PMC5988244.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[4]Alotiby, Amna. \u201cImmunology of Stress: A Review Article.\u201d Journal of clinical medicine<\/em> vol. 13,21 6394. 25 Oct. 2024, doi:10.3390\/jcm13216394<\/p>\n\n\n\n[5] Ortiz, Robin et al. \u201cCortisol and cardiometabolic disease: a target for advancing health equity.\u201d Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM<\/em> vol. 33,11 (2022): 786-797. doi:10.1016\/j.tem.2022.08.002<\/p>\n\n\n\n[6] McEwen, B. S. (2007). Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation: Central Role of the brain. Physiological Reviews<\/em>, 87<\/em>(3), 873\u2013904. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1152\/physrev.00041.2006 <\/p>\n\n\n\n[7] Dronse J, Ohndorf A, Richter N, Bischof GN, et al. (2023) Serum cortisol is negatively related to hippocampal volume, brain structure, and memory performance in healthy aging and Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Front. Aging Neurosci<\/em>. 15:1154112. doi: 10.3389\/fnagi.2023.1154112<\/p>\n\n\n\n
References Continued:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n[8] Tomiyama, A. J. (2019, January 4). Stress and obesity<\/em>. Annual Review of Psychology. https:\/\/www.annualreviews.org\/content\/journals\/10.1146\/annurev-psych-010418-102936 <\/p>\n\n\n\n[9] T. Priego, A.I. Mart\u00edn, D. Gonz\u00e1lez-Hedstr\u00f6m, M. Granado, A. L\u00f3pez-Calder\u00f3n, Chapter Twenty – Role of hormones in sarcopenia,Editor(s): Gerald Litwack, Vitamins and Hormones, Academic Press, Volume 115, 2021, Pages 535-570, ISSN 0083-6729, ISBN 9780323855488, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/bs.vh.2020.12.021<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n[10] Zueger, R., Annen, H., & Ehlert, U. (2023). Testosterone and cortisol responses to acute and prolonged stress during officer training school. Stress<\/em>, 26<\/em>(1). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/10253890.2023.2199886<\/p>\n\n\n\n[11] Herrera AY, Nielsen SE, Mather M. Stress-induced increases in progesterone and cortisol in naturally cycling women. Neurobiol Stress. 2016 Feb 11;3:96-104. doi: 10.1016\/j.ynstr.2016.02.006. PMID: 27981182; PMCID: PMC5146195.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[12]Vigil P, Mel\u00e9ndez J, Soto H, Petkovic G, Bernal YA, Molina S. Chronic Stress and Ovulatory Dysfunction: Implications in Times of COVID-19. Front Glob Womens Health. 2022 May 23;3:866104. doi: 10.3389\/fgwh.2022.866104. PMID: 35677754; PMCID: PMC9168655.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[13] Brouillard A, Davignon L-M, Turcotte A-M and Marin M-F (2023) Morphologic alterations of the fear circuitry: the role of sex hormones and oral contraceptives. Front. Endocrinol.<\/em> 14:1228504. doi: 10.3389\/fendo.2023.1228504<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u00bfSe puede tener demasiada \"hormona del estr\u00e9s\"?","protected":false},"author":129,"featured_media":22696,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5260,5316],"tags":[6484,6485,6486],"class_list":{"0":"post-22687","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-health-risks","8":"category-trying-to-conceive","9":"tag-cortisol","10":"tag-reproductive-health","11":"tag-stress","12":"cs-entry","13":"cs-video-wrap"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n