Analyzing the inflfluence of cortisol levels on the immune system of menopausal women: a systematic review

Authors

  • Thamara Fabricante de Souza Veneroso Escola Superior São Francisco de Assis,
  • Natália Vorpagel Schultz Escola Superior São Francisco de Assis,
  • Karolliny Almeida Araújo Escola Superior São Francisco de Assis,
  • Letícia Karolini Walger Escola Superior São Francisco de Assis,

Abstract

This systematic review article aimed to compile information regarding the influence of the cortisol hormone on the immune system of women during the menopausal phase, highlighting multiple approaches and perspectives. The studies examined cortisol levels in pre- and post-menopausal women, their associations with symptoms such as hot flashes, and the impact of cortisol on quality of life during this phase. Findings revealed a possible connection between elevated cortisol levels and an increased frequency of hot flashes. While some studies indicated a correlation between this hormone and specific symptoms, others did not find significant associations. Additionally, these investigations addressed the relationship between cardiovascular, bone, cognitive, and immune health. Despite the extensive review, there is a notable gap in understanding the influence of cortisol on immunity during menopause, despite its known suppressive properties. Therefore, the complexity of hormonal variations during menopause was underscored, emphasizing the need for further research.

Keywords:

Cortisol; menopause; immunity;

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

AHN, Ryun S et al. Cortisol, estradiol-17β, and progesterone secretion within the first hour after awakening in women with regular menstrual cycles. J Endocrinol, Coréia do Sul, v. 3, n. 211, p. 285–295, 2011. DOI 10.1530/JOE-11-0247.

Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21965547/. Acesso em: 2 out. 2023.

BUFORD, Thomas W.; WILLOUGHBY, Darryn S. Impact of DHEA(S) and cortisol on immune function in aging: a brief review. NRC Research Press, EUA, v. 33, p. 429-233, 2008. DOI doi:10.1139/H08-013. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18461094/. Acesso em: 8 ago. 2023.

CAGNACCI, Angelo et al. Treatment of menopausal symptoms: concomitant modification of cortisol. Menopause, Itália, v. 29, n. 1, p. 23 - 27, 2021. DOI 10.1097/GME.0000000000001875. Disponível em:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34636353/. Acesso em: 1 out. 2023.

FARIA, MÁRCIO ANTONIO et al., Pós-menopausa e sistema imune. Reprodução & Climatério, São Paulo, v. 1, p. 30-35, 2013. Disponível em: https://www.elsevier.es/es-revista-reproducao-climaterio-385-pdf- S1413208713000137. Acesso em: 18 jun. 2023.

GAMEIRO, Cátia Morgado et al. Menopause and aging: changes in the immune system - a review. Maturitas, v. 67, ed. 4, p. 316-320, 2010. DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2010.08.003. Disponível em: https://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(10)00316-6/fulltext. Acesso em: 21 ago. 2023.

GERBER, Linda M; SIEVERT, Lynnette L; SCHWARTZ, Joseph E. Hot flashes and midlife symptoms in relation to levels of salivary cortisol. Maturitas, New York EUA, v. 1, n. 96, p. 26-32, 2017. DOI 10.1016/j.maturitas.2016.11.001.

Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28041591/. Acesso em: 2 out. 2023.

GIBSON, Carolyn J; THURSTON, Rebecca C; MATTHEWS, Karen A. Cortisol dysregulation is associated with daily diary-reported hot flashes among midlife women. Clin Endocrinol, São Francisco - Califórnia, p. 645-651, 2016. DOI 10.1111/cen.13076. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27059154/. Acesso em: 8 nov. 2023

HUERTA, R et al. Symptoms at the menopausal and premenopausal years: their relationship with insulin, glucose, cortisol, FSH, prolactin, obesity and attitudes towards sexuality. Psychoneuroendocrinology, México, v. 20, n. 8, p. 851-864, 1995. DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(95)00030-5. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8834092/. Acesso em: 2 out. 2023.

IBGE. (2020). Estimativas da população residente no Brasil e unidades da federação com data de referência em 1º de julho de 2020. Disponível em: https://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/9103-estimativas-de- populacao.html?edicao=28470&t=resultados. Acesso em 13 mai. 2023.

KALLEINEN, Nea et al. 24-hour serum levels of growth hormone, prolactin, and cortisol in pre- and postmenopausal women: the effect of combined estrogen and progestin treatment. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, Finlândia, v. 93, n. 5, p. 1655-61, 2008. DOI 10.1210/jc.2007-2677. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18319308/. Acesso em: 17 jul. 2023.

KATAINEN, Riina et al. The relationship between diurnal cortisol secretion and climacteric-related symptoms. Maturitas, Finlândia, v. 115, p. 37 - 44, 2018. DOI 10.1016/j.maturitas.2018.06.007. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30049345/. Acesso em: 7 set. 2023.

MOREY, Jennifer N et al. Current Directions in Stress and Human Immune Function. Science direct, EUA, v. 5, p. 13-17, 2015. DOI 10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.03.007. Disponível em: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4465119/. Acesso em: 5 set. 2023.

MURAKAMI, K et al. Changes with aging of steroidal levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of women. Maturitas, Japão, v. 33, n. 1, p. 71-80, 1999. DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-5122(99)00040-7. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10585175/. Acesso em: 12 set. 2023.

PATACCHIOLI, FR et al. Menopause, mild psychological stress and salivary cortisol: influence of long-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Maturitas, Itália, v. 55, n. 2, p. 150 - 155, 2006. DOI 10.1016/j.maturitas.2006.01.009.

Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16517104/. Acesso em: 17 out. 2023.

PLUCHINO, N et al. Daily variation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cortisol in women with normal menstrual cycles, undergoing oral contraception and in postmenopause. Human reproduction (Oxford, England), Itália, v. 24, n. 9, p. 2303-2309, 2009. DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dep119. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19491202/. Acesso em: 15 ago. 2023.

REED, Susan D et al. Daily salivary cortisol patterns in midlife women with hot flashes. Clinical endocrinology, Washington, Seattle, v. 84, n. 5, p. 672–679, 2016. DOI 10.1111/cen.12995. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26663024/. Acesso em: 6 set. 2023.

SANTOS, Cecília Gomez. et al. Menopause status is associated with circadian- and sleep-related alterations. Menopause, v. 23, n. 6, p. 682–690, 2016. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27093617/ Acesso em: 6 set. 2023.

SAUER, T. et al., Perimenopausal vasomotor symptoms and the cortisol awakening response. Menopause, v. Publish Ahead of Print, 2020. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33110049/ Acesso em: 8 set. 2023.

How to Cite

Fabricante de Souza Veneroso, T., Vorpagel Schultz, N., Almeida Araújo, K., & Karolini Walger, L. (2025). Analyzing the inflfluence of cortisol levels on the immune system of menopausal women: a systematic review. Natureza Online, 23(1), 003–014. Retrieved from https://naturezaonline.com.br/revista/article/view/605