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Are psychosocial factors and menopause symptoms related to hair cortisol concentrations among midlife Latinas? Results from the Menopausia, Salud, Corazón pilot study
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Are psychosocial factors and menopause symptoms related to hair cortisol concentrations among midlife Latinas? Results from the Menopausia, Salud, Corazón pilot study

Christian A. Long, Valentina Marginean, Latesha K. Harris, Chongben Zhang and Yamnia I. Cortés
Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology (Online), Vol.27, 100359
08/01/2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2026.100359
PMID: 42388907
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpnec.2026.100359View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

To explore the relationship between psychosocial factors, menopause symptoms, and hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) among midlife Latinas in a community-engaged pilot study. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using baseline data of 45 midlife Latinas enrolled in Menopausia, Salud, Corazón, a community-based cardiovascular disease risk reduction pilot study. Participants completed self-report measures to assess psychosocial factors (e.g., perceived stress, everyday discrimination, resiliency) and menopause symptoms. Cortisol was extracted from hair samples using Salimetrics kit 1-3002 and ran in duplicates (pg/mg). HCC were log-transformed and linear regression models adjusting for age and education were performed to explore the effects of psychosocial factors and menopause symptoms on HCC. Participants were on average aged 47.4 ± 4.5 years, 48.9% had a high school education or higher, and 98% were born outside the continental United States. The median HCC was 4.3 pg/mg (2.7- 8.2 pg/mg). After adjusting for age and education, experiencing any vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in the previous two weeks was associated with higher HCC (β[SE]: 0.59[0.26], p = 0.03). When additionally adjusting for perceived stress, there was a suggestive association between VMS and HCC (β[SE]: 0.49[0.27], p = 0.08). Hair cortisol may capture aspects of chronic stress exposure, although its interpretation remains complex. Few studies have assessed HCC in midlife women, particularly Latinas. Though exploratory, our findings suggest a possible association between VMS and HCC that should be studied further. Future research with larger sample sizes and multiple time points is necessary to confirm these results and explore the use of hair cortisol in menopause research. Prospectively registered, NCT04313751 (03/19/2020), Protocol version 1.0. •Study contributes data on HCC among midlife Latinas, an understudied population.•VMS were associated with higher HCC, but not after accounting for perceived stress.•Findings underscore the need for larger, longitudinal studies.
 Menopause Stress Cortisol Hispanic/Latina Midlife Vasomotor symptoms

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