Current:Home > MarketsWhat to know about cortisol, the hormone TikTokers say you need to balance -MacroWatch
What to know about cortisol, the hormone TikTokers say you need to balance
View
Date:2025-04-18 02:41:43
Cortisol is a hot-button issue in the world of wellness lately.
TikTok is rife with influencers claiming they have the best hacks to balance cortisol levels, or trying to earn commission on products they say will fix your cortisol. The problem? Most of them aren't medical professionals.
"It can make you feel as if basically everyone has a hormone imbalance," gynecologist Karen Tang, M.D., tells USA TODAY of the cortisol discourse on social media. "It's very effective marketing, because who hasn't had problems with fatigue or difficulty with weight loss or their mood? It feels like it's applicable to almost everyone." Obviously, almost everyone does not have a true hormone imbalance or endocrine condition that needs treatment."
Step one, Kang says, is visiting a doctor who can evaluate whether you actually have an imbalance that needs fixing. If that does turn out to be the case, here's what you need to know about cortisol levels.
What does cortisol do?
Cortisol is the body's main stress hormone, according to WebMD. It serves many functions, including regulating blood pressure and blood sugar, controlling your sleep cycle, keeping inflammation down, managing the body's use of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and helping your body handle and regulate stress.
Chronic stress has different symptoms:Here's how to spot the them
What are the symptoms of a cortisol imbalance?
If you've arrived here by way of seeing TikTok videos about "moon face" and cortisol, Tang wants you to know that significant issues with cortisol imbalance are rare. It only affects 10 to 15 people per million every year, mostly cisgender women between the ages of 20 and 50, according to the Endocrine Society.
"Moon face" is the colloquial term for developing a rounder face with extra fat building up on the sides, which can be due to obesity or Cushing's syndrome, per WebMD. Other symptoms of Cushing's, according to Tang, can include a hump on the back of the neck, noticeable pink or purple abdominal stretch marks, fatigue and hair growth on the face.
How do I fix my cortisol levels?
The aforementioned symptoms could be a sign that you need to take further steps with a doctor to bring your cortisol levels back to normal.
"But for most people, when we talk about cortisol as a stress hormone that spikes if you're under stress or if you're not getting enough sleep, if we were to check your cortisol levels in your blood, they would be normal," Tang says. "So it's not something that needs treatment, per se."
In those cases, she says your best bet is to focus on things like stress management, a balanced diet, sleep and exercise to keep your blood pressure and blood sugar at regular rates.
More:Drew Barrymore, those menopause supplements she's raving about and what experts want you to know
"That being said, if you are noticing that there's something really different, your health has changed in a noticeable way that's affecting your quality of life, you're having significant weight gain, if you're going through perimenopause and you're having terrible mood symptoms or other really bothersome symptoms, it's definitely important to go see your doctor to ask for an evaluation," Tang says.
veryGood! (23)
Related
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Lizzo says she's not leaving music industry, clarifies I QUIT statement
- Russia: US shares blame in a concert hall attack claimed by Islamic militants
- All 10 skaters brawl off opening faceoff at start of Devils-Rangers game
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- As Roe v. Wade fell, teenage girls formed a mock government in ‘Girls State’
- GOP lawmakers are using the budget to pressure Kansas’ governor on DEI and immigration
- Biden touts inhaler price drops with Bernie Sanders: Finally, finally we beat big Pharma
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- Lizzo says she's not leaving music industry, clarifies I QUIT statement
Ranking
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Abdallah Candies issues nationwide recall of almond candy mislabeled as not containing nuts
- Ford to delay production of new electric pickup and large SUV as US EV sales growth slows
- You Won't Believe How Julie Chrisley Made a Chicken and Stuffing Casserole in Prison
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Mother of Mark Swidan, U.S. citizen wrongfully detained in China, fears he may take his life
- Elizabeth Hurley says she 'felt comfortable' filming sex scene directed by son Damian Hurley
- The Best White Sneakers That Go With Everything (And That Are Anything But Basic)
Recommendation
Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
Nick Cannon says he feels obligated to 'defend' Sean 'Diddy' Combs in resurfaced interview
Cole Sprouse Shares How Riverdale Costar Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa Influenced His Love Life
Police say JK Rowling committed no crime with tweets slamming Scotland’s new hate speech law
The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
Small Nuclear Reactors May Be Coming to Texas, Boosted by Interest From Gov. Abbott
Everything you need to know about how to watch and live stream the 2024 Masters
Christine Quinn Granted Temporary Restraining Order Against Husband Christian Dumontet After His Arrests