The U.S. is home to its fair share of people with an alcohol problem. That’s the takeaway from multiple studies that looked at alcohol and its effects on the human body. One of those studies is from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which revealed that approximately 29.5 million Americans had an alcohol use disorder (AUD), an inability to control one’s drinking due to a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol, in 2022. Many of those same people also struggled with a hormonal imbalance.
Studies from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and several other organizations show that excessive alcohol consumption adversely affects the endocrine system, the complex network of hormone-secreting glands in the body. Two of the glands within the endocrine system that are adversely affected when men drink excessively include the gonads, located in the testes, and adrenal glands, which are above the kidneys. In women, it is the ovaries and the adrenal glands. In both genders, these glands work with the brain’s hypothalamus region to secrete the hormone testosterone.
Understanding the Relationship Between Hormonal Imbalances and Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Heavy drinking impedes the body’s ability to produce and regulate hormones, and this is because it disrupts pathways in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries, and gonads. Over time, those disruptions lead to low testosterone. Excessive alcohol consumption also interferes with communication between the nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system, further increasing the risk of developing not only low testosterone but also other hormonal imbalances. And that includes high cortisol levels in the blood.
Symptoms Typical of High Cortisol Levels and Low Testosterone
Along with increased tolerance, withdrawals, cravings, and loss of control caused by drinking too much, many people develop liver damage. Common symptoms of alcohol-induced liver damage include fluid buildup in the legs and abdomen, jaundice, erectile dysfunction in men, and abnormal bleeding.
Before ever experiencing these symptoms, however, most people who drink heavily struggle with symptoms related to high cortisol and low testosterone levels first. Symptoms typical of high cortisol in men and women include the following:
- Acne
- Anxiety and depression
- Cushing’s syndrome, which causes a fatty lump to form between the shoulders
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- High blood glucose levels
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Muscle weakness
- Thinning skin that bruises easily
- Weight gain
Men and women experience slightly different symptoms when their testosterone levels fall too low. In men, those symptoms generally include fatigue, low libido, erectile dysfunction, thinning pubic and armpit hair, reduced testicle size, and low or zero sperm count. In women, they often include the following:
- Depression and anxiety
- Infertility
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Lack of energy
- Loss of muscle and strength
- Low sex drive
- Thinning hair at the hairline, the temples, or on the crown of the head
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight gain
What Are Considered Healthy Testosterone Levels for Men and Women?
To appreciate what it means to have below-average testosterone levels or a full-on testosterone deficiency, we have to know what constitutes normal, healthy testosterone levels first. For that, we need only look at data published by Mount Sinai, one of the largest and most respected hospitals in the U.S. It states that 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) are considered healthy and normal testosterone levels for men. For women, it is 15 to 70 ng/dL. According to a separate NIH study, testosterone can decrease in as little as 30 minutes from acute alcohol ingestion. The longer someone consumes alcohol in excess, the more likely they are to fall victim to a testosterone deficiency.
Heavy drinking also elevates cortisol levels in the blood. Most heavy drinkers experience a 3% increase in cortisol.) per unit of alcohol they consume. Once cortisol levels reach 25 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) or higher, most people will experience anxiety, depression, Cushing’s syndrome, and other symptoms typical of high cortisol levels.
How TRT Can Help Boost Low Testosterone Levels
For those with testosterone levels that are not too low, lifestyle changes are often all that is needed to get them back where they should be. That includes getting plenty of sleep, consuming a healthy diet, staying hydrated, not smoking, keeping stress to a minimum, and cutting back on alcoholic beverages. For those with critically low testosterone levels, TRT might be in order. Also known as testosterone replacement therapy, TRT involves the use of FDA-approved medication to stimulate testosterone production in the body.
Popular injectable TRT medications include testosterone enanthate (Xyosted), cypionate (Depo-Testosterone), and undecanoate (Aveed). These medications are injected directly into a muscle, typically in the buttocks, thighs, or hip. On average, it takes 3 to 6 weeks to see results after starting a TRT regimen. Whether individuals are looking for testosterone injections online or from their local pharmacy, they will all require a valid prescription from a licensed physician.
How To Lower High Cortisol Levels
Most heavy drinkers experience a 3% increase in cortisol.) per unit of alcohol they consume. Once their cortisol levels reach 25 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) or higher, most will experience anxiety, depression, Cushing’s syndrome, and other symptoms typical of high cortisol levels. Many of the same lifestyle changes that help increase low testosterone can also lower high cortisol levels. However, very high cortisol levels may require a medicinal approach. Some of the prescription drugs physicians prescribe to lower high cortisol levels in the blood include ketoconazole, metyrapone, and mitotane. On average, it takes a few days to a few weeks to see results after starting a cortisol-lowering medication.
In summary, multiple things can contribute to hormonal imbalances in men and women. That includes excessive alcohol consumption. Fortunately, lifestyle changes that include not drinking or drinking only in moderation can go a long way toward combating most hormonal imbalances, including low testosterone and high cortisol.