How to manage the stress hormone
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Q |
|
Why do cortisol levels increase during menopause? |
|
|
| A |
|
If you've noticed feeling more stressed, gaining weight around your midsection, or having trouble sleeping during menopause, rising cortisol levels may be part of the picture. Cortisol is your body's main stress hormone, and research shows it tends to climb during the menopausal transition. Here's why.
Your changing hormones are the biggest driver.
The drop in estrogen, along with shifts in other reproductive hormones like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone, is the strongest predictor of rising cortisol, even more than how stressed you actually feel. Estrogen typically acts like a buffer, helping to keep your stress response in check. As estrogen declines, that buffer weakens, and your body produces more cortisol in response to the same everyday stressors.
Your adrenal glands become more reactive.
Your adrenal glands, the small glands on top of your kidneys that make cortisol, become more sensitive during menopause. This means that when your brain sends the signal to release cortisol, your adrenal glands respond more strongly than they did before, producing more cortisol from the same signal.
Your body converts more inactive cortisol into the active form.
There's an enzyme in your liver that turns inactive cortisone into active cortisol. After menopause, this enzyme becomes more active, so your body is essentially "switching on" more cortisol than it used to.
Sleep disruption makes things worse.
Hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopause symptoms can fragment your sleep. Research has shown that broken sleep alone can raise evening cortisol levels by as much as 27%. This can create a frustrating cycle — high cortisol makes it harder to sleep, and poor sleep pushes cortisol even higher.
So, what can you do?
The bottom line: Rising cortisol during menopause is a real biological change, not just a result of "feeling stressed." Understanding what's happening in your body can help you take meaningful steps to feel better. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Do you have any other questions for our menopause experts? Let us know at menopause@healthline.com, and the answer may be featured in an upcoming edition! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| HEALTHY TIP |
| Eat Up! Foods That Lower Cortisol |
Magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants may help reduce cortisol levels, and the good news is, you can load up on them by incorporating certain foods into your diet.
Magnesium sources include leafy greens, nuts, and whole grains, while omega-3 fatty acids are found in salmon, sardines, and bluefin tuna, among other fish. Antioxidant-rich foods include apples, berries, tomatoes, and ginger.
Looking for more inspiration to get you started? Here are just a few of our favorite recipes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
  |
|
|
 |
|
|
| We may feature your messages to our inbox within our content. Please do not provide any personal identifiable information. Replies may be edited for length and clarity. For more, see our Privacy Policy. |
Healthline, Optum Now, and their respective logo(s) are trademarks of RVO Health, LLC.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
© 2026 RVO Health, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC, 29707 |
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment