Cortisol and testosterone are closely related in both men and women, although testosterone tends to be associated more with men. When cortisol levels go up, testosterone levels tend to go down. This can cause a number of health problems if the rise in cortisol levels is prolonged, and is also a concern for athletes in training, 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 concern about a hormonal imbalance.
Cortisol is secreted by the adrenal gland, while testosterone is produced in small amounts in this gland and in large amounts in the gonads. The body produces more cortisol in response to stress. At the same time, it reduces testosterone production, devoting energy to cortisol production so that enough is available. Cortisol and testosterone levels tend to change together, a reflection of interconnected systems in the body.
Under normal conditions, after a brief burst of stress, people return to a more normal state. Cortisol and testosterone levels readjust because the stressor is gone, with cortisol falling to a more normal level and testosterone rising. In cases where people cannot escape stress, such as when people are on the battlefield or 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 decreased sexual desire. In the long term, mood disorders can develop and people can lose muscle mass and tone. In people who are still growing, a prolonged imbalance of cortisol and testosterone can cause developmental delays, including small size and late onset of puberty. Children who grow up in stressful environments often have a number of medical problems related to chronic stress and may experience comorbidities such as poor nutrition, making normal development even more difficult.
If a test reveals abnormal cortisol and testosterone levels, the first recommendation may be to relieve stress to see if the patient's levels can align that way. Stress relief can include breathing exercises and meditation, changes to work or home environments, and backing off of sports training. If these measures are unsuccessful, evaluation by an endocrinologist is necessary to learn more about why the patient's hormone levels are skewed, and other treatment options, including drug therapy, can be explored to address the problem. issue.