14/11/2025
I've seen this 90's classic a few time lately, have you? It goes something like "high cortisol steals your progesterone.”
The truth is more interesting (and far more scientific): cortisol doesn’t deplete progesterone or “use it up.”
Instead, chronic stress can disrupt the signalling between the brain and ovaries, affecting ovulation and the luteal phase. When ovulation is disrupted, progesterone production may drop, not because cortisol stole it, but because the o***y didn’t get the messages it needed.
Hormones don’t work in a simple tug-of-war. They respond to complex networks, signals and feedback loops.
Swipe through for more detail.
Jane
PMID: 29064426
PMID: 39436713