What is Cortisol?

Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by your adrenal glands, which sit on top of each kidney. When an individual is stressed, it naturally responds by sending additional cortisol into the bloodstream. Having the correct amount of cortisol in your body is essential to your general health and well-being. Producing too much or too little can sometimes cause significant health problems. Cortisol is involved in many different and vital bodily functions, such as helping your body respond to stress or danger, increasing your body’s metabolism of glucose, controlling your blood pressure, and reducing inflammation.

The pituitary glands in your adrenal glands regulate the production of cortisol. This pea-sized gland at the base of your brain is often referred to as the “master gland” because of its vast effects on the body. In most healthy adults, the body naturally produces the correct amount of cortisol. For some, the body either over or under-produces cortisol, leading to various symptoms that can be hard to cope with.

Related: Top Causes of Adrenal Fatigue in Men

Is There a Relationship Between Cortisol and Testosterone?

Hormones regulate bodily functions such as metabolism, mood, and reproduction. Testosterone is particularly significant in males as it’s responsible for developing male reproductive tissues and maintaining secondary sexual characteristics. However, many factors, chiefly the “stress hormone” cortisol, can influence testosterone levels.

Research has shown that there is a complicated relationship between cortisol and testosterone. Generally, cortisol and testosterone have an inverse relationship, meaning that testosterone levels decrease when cortisol levels increase. This process can usually be examined during periods of extreme stress. While a release of cortisol is normal for short amounts of time during a fight-or-flight scenario, prolonged stress can lead to consistently elevated cortisol levels, which can disrupt the body’s hormone levels. 

One major way cortisol disrupts testosterone levels is by inhibiting the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) out of the hypothalamus. GnRH is vital to the production of the luteinizing hormone (LH) and the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland. In turn, LH stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes to produce healthy amounts of testosterone. So, when cortisol releases GnRH, it indirectly slows down testosterone production. 

Effects of Imbalanced Cortisol on Men

Sexual Function 

Testosterone is typically mainly responsible for libido and erectile function in men. As discussed above, elevated cortisol levels can lead to less testosterone production, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, and potential fertility issues.

Muscle Mass

Testosterone also plays a crucial role in producing and maintaining muscle mass. An imbalance of cortisol and testosterone levels can lead to decreased muscle mass, a loss of strength, and an increase in visceral fat. 

Mood Regulation

Testosterone levels influence mood regulation in men, and low testosterone levels are associated with symptoms of depression, irritability, and fatigue. Elevated cortisol levels for an extended period of time can lead to mood disturbances and a decreased quality of life.

Cognitive Ability

Testosterone has been shown to play a vital role in cognitive function, including memory and spatial abilities. Reduced or restricted testosterone levels may impair cognitive performance in men.

Tips to Lower Your Cortisol Levels

1. Maintain a Balanced Diet

A diet high in saturated fat and sugar can cause elevated cortisol levels, therefore decreasing testosterone production in men. Stick to a diet of fruits, leafy greens, and whole grains to maintain healthy amounts of cortisol in your body.  

2. Get Ample Sleep

Not getting enough sleep can increase your cortisol levels, potentially increasing your stress levels. Work on establishing a solid and consistent sleep schedule to maintain healthy cortisol levels long-term.

3. Limit Caffeine Usage

While one cup of coffee in the morning may be necessary to start your day, increased caffeine usage can also lead to elevated cortisol levels. Caffeine intake can affect your mood day-to-day. While it may make you feel good in the moment, it will eventually cause you to crash, so try to limit yourself to only what is necessary.

4. Try Relaxation Techniques

Working relaxation techniques into your daily life has numerous health benefits, and lowering cortisol levels is undoubtedly one of them. Try incorporating deep breathing or meditation exercises throughout your day to lower cortisol levels and improve your well-being. 

TRT Therapy at Lowcountry Male

At Lowcountry Male, we strive to help every one of our patients become the best versions of themselves. If there are stressors in your life that may affect your cortisol and testosterone levels, take our Low-T Quiz below, and someone from our team will reach out to you about your score.