What role does Cortisol senken play in Fruchtbarkeit?

Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, can suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis when chronically elevated, potentially disrupting ovulation, menstrual regularity, and sperm production. Observational studies link high cortisol to reduced fertility, and stress reduction programs have shown modest improvements in conception rates. However, direct evidence that specifically lowering cortisol (e.g., via supplements or drugs) improves fertility outcomes is limited and mixed. Most data are correlational, not causal. Single-point cortisol measurements, as offered by some DTC tests, have poor diagnostic value due to diurnal variation and acute stress effects. Lifestyle interventions (sleep, exercise, mindfulness) are reasonable, but genetic tests cannot reliably predict cortisol response. Consumers should be cautious of marketing that overstates the role of cortisol in fertility without clinical context.