What to watch with Cortisol and Fruchtbarkeit?

Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, can influence fertility through multiple pathways. Chronically elevated cortisol levels are associated with menstrual irregularities, anovulation, reduced oocyte quality in women, and impaired sperm parameters in men. The evidence is largely observational and mechanistic; robust clinical thresholds for fertility-relevant cortisol burden are lacking. Salivary cortisol day profiles or hair cortisol may serve as markers of chronic stress, but they are not validated as standalone diagnostics for fertility issues. Other factors such as sleep deprivation, diet, and psychological distress also modulate the HPA axis. Those pursuing fertility treatment should consider stress management, but should not self-prescribe cortisol-lowering supplements or blockers without medical supervision. Interpreting cortisol test results in the fertility context requires individualized assessment by a specialist. Overall, the evidence is moderate – plausible mechanisms exist, but strong randomized trial data are missing.