Perimenopause and menopause are both caused by changing hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. But another hormone, cortisol, is often thrown out of balance as well. Cortisol levels regulate a wide range of vital processes throughout the body, including metabolism, mental function, immune responses, and feelings of stress.
Cortisol is best known for its role in how stressed or anxious we feel and is known as the “stress hormone.” Cortisol levels are often elevated when experiencing menopause and can make menopause symptoms much worse.
This increase can adversely affect the immune system and your inflammatory response, leading to an increased susceptibility to illness as well as aches and soreness in the joints and muscles. The increase in cortisol levels and abdominal fat with menopause can also influence the risk of cardiovascular disease, vasomotor symptoms, mood, cognition, and bone loss.