Why it mattersDuring perimenopause and menopause, metabolic disruptions change the way the body manages cortisol changes. Typically, estrogen would act as a “buffer” for our stress levels, Dr. Rekha Kumar, endocrinologist and obesity medicine expert at Weill Cornell Medicine, tells TODAY.com. But when estrogen levels decline during menopause, cortisol levels are able to run high and remain elevated much longer after a stressor. “If you don’t give your body adequate recovery between sessions, especially with high-intensity workouts, cortisol can stay chronically elevated instead of returning to baseline,” she explains. Without proper recovery, she adds, you’ll have a more difficult time achieving the weight loss goals you’re working toward.