Stress and Your Hormones

Why stress can make hormonal symptoms worse:

Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands (which sit just above your kidneys). It plays a vital role in your energy, alertness, and your body’s response to stress.

Cortisol, oestrogen and progesterone are made from the same building block: cholesterol.

During times of stress, your body prioritises cortisol over the production of oestrogen, which can disrupt hormonal balance, especially during perimenopause.

Too much cortisol over time can lead to symptoms like anxiety, irritability, fatigue, hot flushes, and brain fog.

Cortisol naturally follows a daily rhythm, highest in the morning to help you wake up, and gradually decreasing throughout the day to support restful sleep. But if you’re constantly stressed, not sleeping well, or eating a diet that causes frequent blood sugar spikes, this rhythm can get out of sync, with significant consequences for your hormones and overall energy.

If you are interested in running an adrenal stress profile to see what your cortisol levels are doing over the day. During May and June, I am doing a special offer, the Adrenal Stress Profile test, plus two online consultations & a nutrition report for £245 (usual price £310).