United States: Cortisol levels can fluctuate due to various factors, but recent findings highlight a significant increase during menopause.
Experts emphasize exercise as a particularly effective method to combat elevated cortisol levels.
Understanding Cortisol
As per Dr. Aarthi Sinha from Church Crescent Aesthetics statement about the hormone, “Cortisol is produced by the adrenal gland and is a stress hormone. It will increase your energy levels, and it will increase your sugar levels – it’s the fight or flight response hormone,” as gbnews.com reported.
She said, “Cortisol levels completely fluctuate during the day and also during the night, depending on what your sleep is like and if you’re sleeping properly.”
Exercise’s Role in Cortisol Control – Expert
Dr. Sinha explained, “Have you exercised? Have you had a relaxed day? Have you been busy at work? When you’ve been really busy, you might find it hard to unwind at the end of the day because your cortisol levels are quite high.”
And “There is no one particular level or amount of cortisol that is ideal. It’s more about the variation and the pattern that’s unique to you and the effects that it has on you,” she added, as gbnews.com reported.
“If you have too much cortisol, you can also have a high sugar level, putting you at an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, as well as increased weight. You can get cushingoid features – an accumulation of fat around the tummy, often with purple stretch marks on the skin, and a thick neck. That can be a good indicator that you have excess cortisol,” she further added.
Factors Contributing to High Cortisol Levels
High cortisol levels are associated with stress and aging, leading to collagen and elastin breakdown in the skin. Dr. Sinha notes that a stressful lifestyle can make people appear significantly older.
She explained further, “They say stress ages you, and cortisol is one of the main culprits. If your cortisol is high or dysregulated over a long period of time, it affects how much blood flow is going to the skin,” gbnews.com reported.
Moreover, “This will cause your collagen and elastin to breakdown – and without a regulated blood supply, your hormones can’t build up your collagen and elastin, meaning your skin will look tired and unhealthy, becoming saggy and lax.”
Menopause and Cortisol: Effects on Sleep and Weight
Menopausal women often face sleep disturbances and weight issues due to dysregulated cortisol levels.
She furthermore stated, “With regards to skincare – you might be using all the anti-aging serums and creams on your skin, perhaps even having treatments too like Botox, Profhilo, and fillers – but if your cortisol levels are high, it will be degraded your efforts from the inside.”