‘Stress hormone’ cortisol is blamed for infertility, but major new study hints that could be wrong
Cortisol has been cast as a modern health villain, seeking to slowly destroy you. But it’s actually a critical hormone.
Cortisol, often dubbed as the "stress hormone," has been widely criticized for its negative impact on various aspects of health, including fertility. However, a recent study challenges this notion, suggesting that cortisol may actually promote healthy reproduction. The research, published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, reveals that the widely held belief about cortisol's detrimental effects on reproduction hinges on a flawed assumption.
This assumption stems from early studies that used synthetic cortisol injections, which may not have accurately reflected natural hormone patterns in the body. The study, conducted by Kerry Fanson and Phoebe Edwards, reviewed numerous animal studies, finding that cortisol levels often increased around the time of ovulation in various species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
This increase in cortisol may play a crucial role in driving key reproductive events, such as ovulation. The study's findings suggest that imprecise or large doses of synthetic cortisol may inhibit reproduction not because cortisol is inherently "bad," but because these manipulations disrupt the body's natural cortisol signals. This paradigm shift in understanding cortisol's role in reproduction could lead to new insights and treatments for infertility.
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