What to Know About the Relationship Between Women's Hormones and Anxiety
It’s easy to understand how anxiety can be impacted by environmental factors. Stressful situations, harmful relationships, and financial problems — they can all trigger anxious thoughts.
But, as a woman, did you know that your hormones can also play a role in anxiety?
There’s no question that hormones can impact everything from energy levels to how your skin looks and feels. They can also cause your mood to fluctuate and can even contribute to higher levels of anxiety.
Let’s take a closer look at the relationship between women’s hormones and anxiety, and what you can do to stay on top of your mental well-being.
Estrogen Levels
Estrogen impacts the female body in many ways. It’s key for reproductive development, brain function, and even bone health. It can also impact your mood and mental well-being.
Estrogen levels tend to drop during your menstrual cycle. That can leave your mind more susceptible to stress and anxiety. You’re also more likely to struggle with your mood throughout your menstrual cycle, which can lead to negative thoughts and fuel the cycle of anxiety.
Hormonal Imbalances
Hormonal imbalances in women tend to be the biggest culprit of anxiety from the inside out. Some of the common signs of a hormonal imbalance in women include difficulty focusing, mood swings, muscle loss, loss of libido, and even irregular menstrual cycles.
If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you could be dealing with an imbalance that could impact nearly every area of your life, including your mental well-being.
Stress Hormones
Both men and women have stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones are responsible for your fight-or-flight response. However, studies have shown that women tend to have higher levels of these hormones and can be more susceptible to anxiety.
When you’re anxious, your stress responses remain on high alert. You might feel worried or “on edge” even when there isn’t a realistic threat to worry about. Again, this can cause a sort of vicious cycle. The more anxious and stressed you are, the more negative your thoughts are likely to be, which can make you even more anxious.
What Can You Do?
Hormones impact everything. They don’t just take a toll on your physical health, but your mental wellness, as well.
If you believe your hormones are playing a role in your anxiety, there are several things you can do to combat the issues you’re facing.
Self-Care
Prioritize self-care. Manage your stress and anxiety by getting enough sleep, staying physically active, and finding ways to relax. Things like deep breathing, mindfulness, and meditation can all help to reduce your stress levels and keep you grounded in the present. Physical exercise can boost serotonin levels — hormones responsible for everything from elevating energy levels to actually making you feel happier.
Lean on Support
Most importantly, don’t isolate yourself. Anxiety can be a very scary and lonely thing, especially if you’re not sure where it’s stemming from. If your hormones are causing your anxiety to become worse or fluctuate, it’s easy to feel like your mind and body are against you, but that isn’t the case.
Try to Find Hormonal Balance
Consider working with your primary care physician to find lifestyle changes and/or medications that might help with balancing your hormones. They’ll also be able to rule out any other underlying health issues, which can provide some relief and reassurance.
Talk to Someone
Additionally, don’t hesitate to start working with a therapist. Therapy is a great way to not only understand anxiety, but to learn effective management techniques and feel more in control. If you’ve been struggling for a while and you’re ready to start fighting back, feel free to contact me to set up an appointment for anxiety counseling soon.