Circulating cortisol levels after exogenous cortisol administration are higher in women using hormonal contraceptives: data from two preliminary studies

Figures & data

Figure 1. Plasma cortisol after hydrocortisone (IV, 0.1 mg/kg) or placebo administration. Plasma cortisol levels are measured in nmol/L. Dashed lines represent plasma cortisol levels during the session in which hydrocortisone (0.1 mg/kg infused over 30 min) was administered. Solid lines represent plasma cortisol levels during the session in which placebo (0.9% saline) was administered. The gray bar indicates the time of drug infusion (0–30 min). Area under the curve increase (AUCi) in plasma cortisol levels was significantly greater in women, all of whom were taking HBC, versus men following hydrocortisone administration (t[42] = 10.65, p < 0.001). This difference was not found following placebo infusion.

Figure 2. Salivary cortisol after hydrocortisone (oral, 15 mg) or placebo administration. Salivary cortisol levels are measured in nmol/L. Dashed lines represent salivary cortisol levels during the session in which hydrocortisone (15 mg capsule) was administered. Solid lines represent salivary cortisol levels during the session in which placebo capsule was administered. The final two saliva samples were collected in the evening at home after departure from the lab. On the hydrocortisone day, salivary cortisol levels at baseline did not differ between groups. However, area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCg) in salivary cortisol levels was greater in women taking HBC compared to men (M = 5107.77, 95% CI [2405.01, 7810.52], p < 0.001) or compared to women not on HBC (M = 3629.73, 95% CI [686.27, 6573.18], p = 0.012); the latter two groups did not differ. There were no group differences following placebo administration.