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Related Experiment Videos

Increased urinary cortisol levels during the menopausal transition.

Nancy F Woods1, Molly C Carr, Eunice Y Tao

  • 1Department of Family and Child Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7260, USA. nfwoods@u.washington.edu

Menopause (New York, N.Y.)
|April 29, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Cortisol levels increase during the late menopausal transition (MT), correlating with more severe vasomotor symptoms. These changes may impact cardiovascular health and bone loss risks.

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Women's Health
  • Reproductive Medicine

Background:

  • The menopausal transition (MT) involves significant hormonal shifts.
  • Cortisol, a stress hormone, has not been clearly linked to MT stages.
  • Understanding cortisol's role is crucial for managing menopausal symptoms and long-term health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate prospective changes in cortisol levels during the MT.
  • To examine associations between cortisol, hormonal changes (FSH, E1G), stressors, and menopause symptoms.
  • To identify factors influencing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function during MT.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study tracked 169 women through different MT stages.
  • Monthly urine samples measured cortisol, FSH, and E1G.

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  • Women self-reported symptoms and stress levels.

    • Main Results:

    • Cortisol levels significantly increased 7-12 months before and after the late MT stage.
    • Elevated cortisol during late MT was linked to more severe vasomotor symptoms.
    • No significant differences in cortisol were observed around the middle MT stage or final menstrual period.

    Conclusions:

    • Cortisol levels rise during the late MT, potentially due to increased adrenal androgens and abdominal fat.
    • These elevated cortisol levels may contribute to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, vasomotor symptoms, mood changes, cognitive issues, and bone loss.
    • Further research is needed to understand the full implications of cortisol changes during menopause.