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Cortisol and Estrogen

Meaning

Cortisol and Estrogen refer to the critical and bidirectional neuroendocrine interplay between the body’s primary stress hormone and a key sex steroid, respectively. This relationship is central to the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and reproductive health, often dictating how an individual responds to chronic stress. An imbalance in one hormone frequently precipitates dysregulation in the other, leading to a cascade of systemic symptoms. Understanding their cross-talk is essential for diagnosing and managing conditions related to stress, mood, and the menstrual cycle.