Cortisol and testosterone are linked, with cortisol rising in response to stress and suppressing testosterone production. This can cause health problems and affect muscle growth. Stress relief may help, but abnormal levels may require evaluation by an endocrinologist and other treatments.
Cortisol and testosterone are closely linked in both men and women, although testosterone tends to be associated more with men. When cortisol levels rise, testosterone levels tend to decrease. This can cause a variety of health problems if the spike in cortisol levels is sustained, and is also a concern for training athletes, as testosterone helps people build muscle and cortisol actually breaks it down. The levels of these hormones can be measured in a doctor’s office if there is a concern about a hormone imbalance.
Cortisol is secreted by the adrenal gland, while testosterone is produced in small quantities in this gland and in larger quantities in the gonads. The body produces more cortisol in response to stress. At the same time, it reduces the production of testosterone, devoting energy to the production of cortisol so that there is enough available. Cortisol and testosterone levels tend to change together, a reflection of the interconnected systems in the body.
Under normal conditions, after a brief burst of stress, people return to a more normal state. Both cortisol levels and testosterone levels readjust because the stressor is gone, with cortisol dropping to a more normal level and testosterone rising. In cases where people cannot escape stress, such as when people are on the battlefield or are struggling with a hostile work environment, cortisol levels remain elevated and testosterone production continues to be suppressed.
In the short term, this can cause symptoms such as a decrease in sex drive. Over the long term, mood disorders can develop and people can lose muscle mass and tone. In people who are still growing, a prolonged cortisol and testosterone imbalance can cause developmental delays, including a small size and a delay in the onset of puberty. Children who grow up in stressful environments often have a variety of medical problems related to chronic stress and can experience comorbidities such as poor nutrition, making it even more difficult for them to develop normally.
If a test reveals abnormal cortisol and testosterone levels, the first recommendation may be stress relief to see if the patient’s levels can be aligned in this way. Stress relief can include breathing exercises and meditation, changing your work or home environment, and backing down on athletic training. If these measures are unsuccessful, evaluation by an endocrinologist is needed to learn more about why the patient’s hormone levels are distorted, and other treatment options, including drug therapy, can be explored to address the problem.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
