Myths vs facts: Cortisol senken and Fruchtbarkeit

Myths vs facts: Lowering cortisol and fertility. A common myth is that directly lowering cortisol levels (e.g., via supplements or relaxation) will boost fertility. The fact: Chronically elevated cortisol – as seen in persistent stress or Cushing’s syndrome – can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, leading to menstrual irregularities and reduced fertility. However, evidence for a causal effect of moderate cortisol reduction on fertility in healthy women without clinical hypercortisolism is weak. Most studies show associations but not clear causality. A hormone check (like the Hormon & VitalCheck für Frauen) can measure cortisol, but a single value is of limited use due to diurnal variation. More importantly, chronic stress affects fertility through multiple pathways (lifestyle, sleep, etc.), not solely via cortisol. Therefore, the blanket advice 'lower cortisol = increase fertility' is misleading. For unexplained infertility, a medical workup including other hormones (TSH, prolactin, sex hormones) is essential. The evidence base is moderate, mostly from observational studies.