How do high levels of cortisol affect the menstrual cycle?
Answer
It can delay ovulation and lengthen the cycle
High levels of cortisol, often associated with stress, interfere with the hormonal signals required for ovulation. When ovulation is delayed, the body takes longer to reach the next phase of the cycle. This shift in the timing of ovulation effectively stretches the entire cycle, often resulting in a later period than usual because the hormonal processes have been disrupted by the stress response.
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