The most common psychiatric diagnosis for women is anxiety. This disease is reported to affect almost one in three women. Anxiety can turn up at any moment in a woman’s life. It can be caused by something as little as excess caffeine and as huge as global issues. There are so many things that can trigger anxious feelings, and one of them is hormonal imbalances.
There can be many things that an imbalanced hormone can trigger. Women experience hormonal fluctuations a lot, which can lead to various conditions, including anxiety.
In this post, we will discuss in detail the effect of hormonal change in women.
Symptoms and Signs of Hormonal Imbalance in Women
The most common symptom of hormonal imbalance is anxiety. Hormonal-related anxiety is mostly common in women. This is because women’s emotional and mental well-being is affected by different hormones.
Below are some of the common anxiety symptoms:
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Weight gain and bloating
- Anxiety and depression
- Inability to focus and fatigue
- Loss of libido
- Adult acne
- Excess body hair
- Excessive hair loss
Which Hormones Can Affect Anxiety Levels in Women
There are so many hormones in the woman’s body that can trigger anxiety symptoms. Too little or too much of these hormones can lead to a variety of complications and conditions. It is important to understand them and know how they can affect the body.
Estrogen
This is a sex hormone and a fluctuation can affect the mood greatly. The drastic change in the levels of estrogen in a woman’s body can dampen the mood and lead to anxiety. The fluctuation with this hormone usually occurs during the menstrual cycle.
Estrogen level is usually higher during the follicular phase which is the first few weeks of the menstrual cycle. However, it drops drastically if no fertilization occurs during the luteal phase, which is the last 2 weeks of the cycle. This hormonal fluctuation in the body can increase anxiety symptoms in women.
Oxytocin
Also called the love hormone, oxytocin can help to reduce anxiety, stress, and aggression. The female brain emits this hormone when performing certain activities. Actions such as cuddling, sexual intercourse, breastfeeding, and cuddling can help the brain emit oxytocin.
Being in constant contact with your loved ones or performing activities that relax you can help increase the production of oxytocin in the body.
Cortisol
This hormone is also known as the stress hormone and can be triggered when a woman feels threatened or in danger. Cortisol can initiate the fight or flight response and help the body prepare to take action.
It can also be triggered while undergoing stress that has nothing to do with danger. If this happens often, the cortisol hormone will not be emitted when you need it. This can lead to high levels of cortisol and make you feel anxious.
Thyroid
Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid and can be caused by an imbalance of the thyroid hormone. This hormone has a great effect on mood and can lead to anxiety, irritability, and restlessness. Having an underactive thyroid is also unhealthy for the body. This can cause conditions like depression and tiredness.
There is a recent study that confirms that “patients with thyroid inflammation could be at a greater risk of developing anxiety disorders”. The thyroid hormone has an important role to play in anxiety disorder.
There are lots of medications that can help to reduce hormonal fluctuation that is caused by the inflammation of the thyroid.
How to Balance Hormones and Reduce Anxiety
If you suspect you might be having hormonal anxiety, there are so many things you can do to help yourself.
- Exercising regularly can help to reduce your cortisol level and release endorphins. This will mitigate your risk of developing anxiety and also help deal with your symptoms.
- Engaging in relaxation activities like yoga and meditation can help you deal with the stress hormones.
- Practicing a healthy and nutritious diet can also help reduce anxiety. Foods that are fermented and rich in fiber can help decrease your chances of anxiety and improve your mental health.
- Taking excess caffeine can increase stress levels and lead to anxiety. You should drink a lot of water and avoid caffeine.
- You need to get enough sleep. Having a poor sleeping routine can lead to multiple hormonal fluctuations, which will lead to anxiety.
- Lastly, you need to visit a doctor for a proper consultation and diagnosis. It is advisable to seek out one that cares about mental health. They will give you the best advice on how to deal with your hormonal anxiety.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hormonal fluctuations can greatly have an effect on anxiety levels in women. There are many symptoms to look out for if you suspect you are suffering from this condition. You can always contact a doctor to find out if your anxiety is related to your hormones or not.
Related Questions
Below are some of the questions frequently asked by curious readers who want to learn more about how hormonal changes can affect anxiety levels in women.
1. Which female hormone causes anxiety?
Some of the specific hormones that can cause anxiety in females are estrogen, oxytocin, cortisol, adrenaline, and progesterone.
2. Which hormone is responsible for anxiety?
There are lots of hormones that can be responsible for anxiety. The best way to know which one is triggering yours is to contact a healthcare provider for proper consultation and diagnosis.
3. How to balance hormones and anxiety?
You can balance your hormones and get rid of anxiety by performing activities such as exercising, avoiding caffeine, getting enough sleep, embracing a fiber-rich diet, and meditation.
4. What hormone deficiency causes panic attacks?
The hormones that cause panic attacks are testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and DHEA. Adrenal and immune issues can also cause panic disorders.
5. Can high FSH levels cause anxiety?
Yes, women with high FSH can experience hormonal fluctuations, which can lead to irritability, mood swings, and anxiety.
6. How long does hormonal anxiety last?
The duration of hormonal anxiety can vary from one woman to another. Most of the hormonal anxiety symptoms can, however, last for about four years, pending the time the hormones get balanced.
