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Cortisol & Menopause

Menopause is a stage in which a woman's ovaries stop producing eggs and menstruation ceases. Menopause is complete with menstruation has stopped for one year, usually from age 45 to 55. Elevated levels of the hormone cortisol are not a normal symptom of menopause. Too much cortisol during menopause can be a sign of serious health problems and puts women at greater risk for osteoporosis and heart disease.

  1. Aging and Cortisol

    • Aging affects hormone production, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). During menopause, production of estrogen and progesterone gradually decrease as the ovaries produce fewer eggs. However, cortisol production in a healthy person should not change significantly during menopause. Abnormal cortisol levels in menopause, therefore, indicate and underlying problem.

    Physical Causes of Excess Cortisol

    • Physical causes of elevated cortisol include pituitary tumors and cancer in the adrenal glands. Conditions associated with excess cortisol, such as Cushing's syndrome, are usually diagnosed by age 50, according to the American Urological Association Foundation. Conversely, Addison's disease is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol. This, too, is usually diagnosed by age 50. Although it is life-threatening, these disorders are usually treatable.

    Effects of Cortisol

    • The hormone cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands, which are located just above the kidneys. It is part of the "fight or flight" response, making us alert and ready to face danger. Prolonged elevated levels of cortisol, however, have negative effects on the body. Excess cortisol in middle-age people is correlated with increased cardiovascular risk, according to a North Glasgow study. Mayo Clinic warns that it contributes to secondary hypertension. It also increases insulin resistance, decreases bone density, inhibits weight loss, impairs cognitive function, and weakens the immune function, according to WomentoWomen.com.

    Stress and Cortisol

    • Chronic stress may be a possible link between the menopausal years and elevated cortisol levels, according to WomentoWomen.com. Stress triggers the production of cortisol. Ongoing stress, such as that experienced by many midlife women, keeps cortisol production much higher than is normal, leading to adrenal fatigue. Some symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, depression, weight gain, and cravings for salty or sugary foods.

    How to Find Help

    • Symptoms of abnormal cortisol levels become more evident in menopause, when the masking effects of estrogen and progesterone diminish. Consult your health care provider to determine whether cortisol levels are normal. If not, life-threatening causes of excess or inadequate cortisol production must be identified and treated. If excess cortisol is determined to be stress-related, it can be treated with lifestyle changes such as a more balanced diet, nutritional supplements, exercise, and stress-reducing practices such as meditation and relaxation.

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