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Cortisol and Testosterone

Meaning

Cortisol and Testosterone describes the critical and often inverse relationship between the body’s primary catabolic stress hormone, cortisol, and the key anabolic sex hormone, testosterone. These two steroid hormones, while serving distinct functions, are intricately linked through shared biochemical pathways and regulatory axes. Their relative balance is a fundamental indicator of an individual’s physiological state, reflecting the interplay between stress, recovery, and tissue maintenance. In a clinical context, a persistent imbalance often signals chronic stress, overtraining, or a compromised state of hormonal equilibrium.