Question: Does one require less hydrocortisone replacement after menopause?

Answer: Female hormones (estrogens) do affect cortisol metabolism by increasing the binding of cortisol to carrier plasma proteins. When the estrogen levels decrease after menopause cortisol binding also decreases. In people with intact pituitary-adrenal function, cortisol secretion decreases and levels adjust automatically. However, if a person depends on exogenous hydrocortisone to maintain normal levels, the amount required to achieve this level may decrease slightly.

By Dr. David E. Schteingart MD (Winter, 2005)