Moderate Weight Loss is associated with Reductions in LH Pulse Frequency and Increases in 24-hour Cortisol with no change in Perceived Stress in Young Ovulatory Women

•Young menstruating women experienced significant increases in the morning cortisol rise (0200-0800 hr) area under the curve cortisol after a diet and exercise intervention associated with modest weight loss.•24 hour cortisol area under the curve increases were associated with weight loss and decreases in LH pulse frequency•Changes in perceived stress over the intervention were not associated with changes in cortisol or LH pulse frequency•Study results suggest that diet and exercise producing modest weight loss is associated with an initial suppression of reproductive hormone secretion that appears to be related to metabolically induced increases in hypothalamic adrenal activity.