Plasma and Urinary Cortisol in Pregnancy and during Estrogen-Gestagen Treatment

The urinary excretion of unconjugated cortisol and plasma levels of cortisol and non-protein-bound cortisol as well as the circadian rhythm of cortisol in blood were investigated in normal and pregnant women and in females on oral contraceptives. A definite increase in both urinary excretion of cortisol and in plasma levels of non-protein-bound hormone was found in pregnant and in estrogen-gestagen treated women. Furthermore, the normal day-night variation of plasma cortisol was lower in pregnant women, but not in women treated with estrogen-gestagen.