---
title: Does the menstrual cycle affect cortisol (stress hormone) levels?
description: No. The menstrual cycle phase does not affect cortisol levels. However, birth control pills are associated with higher resting cortisol levels and a weaker st
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/oral-contraception-but-not-menstrual-cycle-phase-is-associated-with-increased-2013/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Does the menstrual cycle affect cortisol (stress hormone) levels?

Randomised trial, 2013

# Does the menstrual cycle affect cortisol (stress hormone) levels?

No. The menstrual cycle phase does not affect cortisol levels. However, birth control pills are associated with higher resting cortisol levels and a weaker stress response.

 Early or limited evidence

28 young healthy women, some on oral contraceptives and some not

## What they did

Study of 28 women comparing those on birth control to those not on birth control. Women completed three exercise sessions and provided saliva and urine samples at rest and 30, 60, and 90 minutes after exercise.

## What they found

Women on birth control had higher resting cortisol levels and their cortisol did not rise as much in response to exercise. Women not on birth control showed normal cortisol responses. Where women were in their menstrual cycle (follicular or luteal phase) made no difference to cortisol levels or stress response. Physical training made no difference.

## What it means for you

Birth control pills may increase baseline stress hormone levels and weaken the body's normal stress response to exercise. Natural hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle do not affect cortisol. This is a small study that looked at single exercise sessions, not the long-term effects of birth control on stress or health.

28

women in study

9

birth control users

7

non-users

## About the study

Original title Oral contraception but not menstrual cycle phase is associated with increased free cortisol levels and low hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis reactivity Authors Boisseau N, Enea C, Diaz V et al. Journal Journal of endocrinological investigation Year 2013 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Observation of cortisol levels during exercise, comparing birth control users to non-users and comparing menstrual cycle phases Read the paper [doi.org/10.3275/8971](https://doi.org/10.3275/8971)

## Topics

[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Survey study, 2010

Does sexual interest change across the cycle and what role do pain, sleep and hormones play?

Systematic review, 2026

Can mindfulness, yoga or qigong help with PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 2025

Do menstrual problems and poor sleep affect mood and thinking in teenage girls?

Review, 2025

How does progesterone affect mood and brain function?

Lab study, 2025

Does yogic pilates and breathing exercises help PMS symptoms?

Cohort study, 2022

What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗