Are women more stressed than men?

Stress is a universal experience, but new insights from our annual data reveal that it doesn’t affect everyone equally. 

Our findings show that women are 49% more likely to have raised cortisol levels compared to men. While there are lots of potential causes for raised cortisol, one contributor is stress. So, does this mean men and women experience stress differently?

• What is cortisol and why does it matter?
• What's a normal cortisol level?
• Are abnormal cortisol levels common?
• Why do women have higher cortisol levels?
• How cortisol interacts with other hormones

What is cortisol and why does it matter?

Cortisol is often called the stress hormone because it plays a key role in your body's stress response. When you encounter a stressful situation, your adrenal glands release cortisol to help you manage the challenge. In the short term, this is a normal and beneficial process.

However, if cortisol levels stay elevated for too long, it can negatively impact your health. Chronic stress can contribute to fatigue, mood disorders, weight gain, and even conditions like adrenal dysfunction.

Cortisol doesn’t act alone — it works in tandem with other hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. For women, high cortisol can disrupt menstrual cycles and fertility. For men, it can lead to decreased sperm quality and lower libido. Chronic stress has even been linked to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and male hypogonadism, highlighting the far-reaching effects of this hormone [1].

What's a normal cortisol level?

Cortisol levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day, peaking in the morning and gradually declining by evening. This daily rhythm makes timing your cortisol test so important for accurate results.

For example, cortisol is often measured through a cortisol saliva test or blood test. While normal ranges may vary between individuals and labs, here are typical values for blood cortisol:

• Morning (6–8 am): 10–20 micrograms per decilitre (μg/dL)

• Afternoon (around 4 pm): 3–10 μg/dL

Are abnormal cortisol levels common?

Yes, abnormal cortisol levels are surprisingly widespread. In 2024, 13.6% of women tested had abnormal cortisol levels compared to 11.0% of men. This includes both low and raised results. 

Rare conditions like Cushing's syndrome (high cortisol) and Addison's disease (low cortisol) can cause extreme imbalances, but chronic stress is a more common culprit. 

The fast pace of modern life — combined with poor sleep, high workloads, and personal pressures — can lead to elevated cortisol, with long-term consequences for physical and mental health.

Why do women have higher cortisol levels?

A gender stress gap isn't a new idea. Statistics show that stress and burnout are affecting more women than men [1]. But we want to know why this is still happening, and whether it's influenced by internal or external factors - or both.

Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can contribute to changes in cortisol. Combined with the stress of juggling careers, family life, and personal health, these hormonal shifts may amplify the body's stress response.

Women are also more likely than men to report experiencing higher stress levels. This could be due to societal expectations, emotional labour, or caregiving responsibilities, all of which place additional demands on mental and physical health.

5 reasons women could have higher cortisol:

1. Menstrual cycle
2. Pregnancy
3. Menopause
4. Caregiving responsibilities
5. Emotional labour 

How cortisol interacts with other hormones

Cortisol is deeply intertwined with other hormones, meaning that imbalances can ripple across your entire endocrine system.

In 2024, we conducted a survey among our female customers to learn more about their experiences with hormonal health. The findings were striking: 63.2% of women reported symptoms linked to hormonal imbalance.

Other key findings included:

• 79.9% of women with a hormone imbalance reported symptoms.

• The most common prominent symptoms were energy changes (35.3%), bodily changes (13.3%), mood changes (10.4%), menstrual changes (8.3%), and musculoskeletal changes (8.3%).

• Feeling tired all the time was the most common energy symptom; weight gain was the most common bodily change symptom; low mood was the most mood change symptom; absent or heavy periods were the most common menstrual change symptom.

Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels may also exacerbate conditions like PCOS and contribute to reduced fertility.

For men, high cortisol can disrupt testosterone production, which is essential for energy, libido, and overall wellbeing. This hormonal interplay illustrates why managing stress is vital for everyone [1].

Does a hormonal imbalance equal higher stress levels?

Being more stressed could contribute to a hormone imbalance, but equally, having a hormone imbalance could make someone more stressed by causing health concerns. Or they could have an underlying condition contributing to a hormone imbalance which has made their life more stressful.

However, we do know from our survey that women with a hormone imbalance were more likely to have higher self-reported stress levels (3.16 out of 5) compared to women without a hormone imbalance (2.98 out of 5).

How to test your cortisol levels

If you're experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance or suspect that stress is taking a toll on your health, testing your cortisol levels is an important first step.

A Cortisol Saliva Stress Test is a convenient way to measure your levels throughout the day, providing a comprehensive picture of your cortisol rhythm. With our saliva test, you take four samples throughout the day to account for fluctuating levels. Blood tests are another option, often taken in the morning to capture peak levels.

By identifying whether your cortisol levels are too high or too low, you can work with a healthcare professional to address the root cause of your symptoms.

Steps to manage stress and improve hormonal health

Taking control of your stress and hormonal health doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some actionable steps:

1. Prioritise sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night to support a healthy cortisol cycle.
2. Exercise regularly: Moderate physical activity can help reduce cortisol, but avoid overtraining, which can have the opposite effect.
3. Practice mindfulness: Techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing can lower stress levels and promote relaxation.
4. Eat a balanced diet: Foods rich in omega-3s, magnesium, and antioxidants may help regulate cortisol and improve overall health.
5. Seek support: Whether it’s talking to a friend or consulting a healthcare professional, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Understanding how stress affects your body is the first step to taking control. If you're ready to learn more about your cortisol levels, take a look at our Cortisol Saliva Stress Test and blood tests for comprehensive hormonal insights.

References:

• Agarwal A, Gupta S, Sharma RK. Role of oxidative stress in female reproduction. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2005 Jul 14;3:28.