24/10/2025
How Hormones Shape Your Immune Health – And What You Can Do About It
Many of my clients are surprised to learn that their hormones and immune system are deeply connected. When your hormones are in balance, your immune system is more resilient, but when they are disrupted, you may find yourself more prone to fatigue, inflammation, or frequent illness.
One of the key players in this story is cortisol, your main stress hormone. In short bursts, cortisol can actually strengthen your immune system by mobilising your defences. But when stress becomes chronic, cortisol stays elevated and begins to suppress immune activity. Research shows that long-term stress makes us more vulnerable to colds, flu, and slower recovery from illness (Cohen et al., 2012). This is one reason why stress management is so important for wellbeing.
S*x hormones also influence immunity. Oestrogen tends to stimulate immune activity, which helps women respond well to vaccines but also increases their risk of autoimmune conditions (Klein & Flanagan, 2016). Progesterone, on the other hand, is calming and anti-inflammatory, which is why some women feel more settled during the second half of their menstrual cycle. Testosterone usually dampens inflammation, helping explain why men are less prone to autoimmunity, but when levels decline with age, inflammation often rises (Marshall et al., 2018).
So where does this leave us in practice? While we cannot change hormone levels directly, we can support the systems that help keep them balanced. Gentle, regular movement reduces inflammation (Nieman & Wentz, 2019), good sleep strengthens immunity (Irwin, 2019), and relaxation therapies such as massage and reflexology lower stress hormones while increasing oxytocin, the hormone of calm and connection (Field, 2014; Uvnäs-Moberg et al., 2015).
In my clinic, I focus on creating a safe space where stress can reduce, the nervous system can settle, and the body can move back towards balance. These interventions may feel simple, but they are well supported by research and can make a powerful difference in how resilient your immune system feels day to day.
If you have noticed that stress, fatigue, or hormonal changes are affecting your health, therapies that calm and rebalance your body could be a supportive part of your journey.
