The human body requires hormones to perform various functions. Hormones function as chemical messengers, responsible for sending signals to various parts of the body. Humans (and animals) need them for adequate growth, development, sexual performance, and reproduction. Other than all these, hormones also play a pivotal role in regulating our mood. Hormonal imbalance can not only disrupt your physiological health but can also trigger psychological issues.
It’s common for humans to experience mood swings due to fluctuations in hormonal levels. Mental disorders resulting from hormonal imbalance is more common among women than men. The section below will help you understand the link between female hormones and anxiety.
Estrogen and Anxiety
Several studies have proved that low estrogen levels or rapid reduction in the levels of the hormone can trigger anxiety in women. For those who already have a history of anxiety attacks, low estrogen levels can worsen the symptoms. According to experts, this happens due to the impact of low estrogen on the production of dopamine and serotonin. The changes become more evident during the days prior to a period, postpartum, and perimenopause.
PMS (premenstrual syndrome), a common situation women face around one to two weeks before their period (luteal phase), results in a sudden drop in estrogen levels. This change significantly affects the emotional state of the brain. Mild anxiety symptoms are common in most women with an impending period. However, when the estrogen levels are dangerously low, women tend to experience severe anxiety attacks and require medical attention. Such events take place due to more serious premenstrual conditions like Premenstrual Exacerbation and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.
Postpartum anxiety due to low estrogen triggers persistent irritability and fear. New mothers often think that the worst will happen to their babies or themselves. Some physical symptoms anxiety attacks may cause in these women include breathing difficulties, rapid heartbeat, sleep disturbances, nausea, etc.
In perimenopausal women, anxiety attacks usually occur along with other debilitating symptoms like sleeping disorders, night sweats, hot flashes, muscle tension, lack of focus, etc.
The above discussion talks only about the role low estrogen levels play in causing anxiety attacks in women. High estrogen levels can also be responsible for female anxiety. Indeed, an elevated estrogen level protects women against stress. However, fluctuations or a sudden withdrawal of estrogen can trigger severe anxiety symptoms.
Progesterone and Anxiety
Anxiety due to progesterone is also common among women. The usual culprit in this case is progesterone intolerance, a condition affecting around 10 to 30% of women. Medical experts often describe progesterone as a relaxing hormone. However, the relaxing effects of the hormone vanish when its level fluctuates or is too high. Doctors diagnose women with progesterone intolerance when they experience signs of high progesterone despite having normal levels of the hormone. The problem can occur due to natural as well as synthetic progesterone.
Other than frequent anxiety attacks, progesterone intolerance causes symptoms like breast tenderness, acne, extreme fatigue, and depression. As the levels of the hormone remain normal, a blood test for progesterone levels cannot help doctors diagnose the problem. The common tests done for diagnosing progesterone intolerance include progesterone challenge, progesterone skin tests, and so on.
Role of Other Hormones
Women may also experience anxiety due to other hormones like testosterone, which is primarily a male hormone.
The most common cause (almost 60 to 80% of the cases) of an elevated androgen (testosterone) level in women is polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS. When a woman has PCOS, her ovaries produce high levels of androgen. This abnormality results in anxiety along with other symptoms like facial hair, irregular periods, and acne. At times, ovaries may produce excess testosterone and cause anxiety attacks in women due to insulin resistance.
You may also experience testosterone-induced anxiety due to the consumption of medications like androgenic drugs, phenytoin, and anabolic steroids. Last, but not least, although less common, you may see an abnormal rise in your testosterone levels due to ovarian or adrenal tumors. The initial symptoms of these ailments are often anxiety and mood swings.
Conclusion
The above discussion must have helped you to understand that if you are a woman experiencing anxiety, you must consult your gynecologist first before seeing a psychiatrist. For quick diagnosis of the root cause of your anxiety and effective treatment, visit the gynecology department at Perry Avenue Family Medical Center, the most trusted multispecialty clinic in New York. If required, your gynecologist at Perry Avenue Family Medical Center will refer you to the clinic’s psychiatry department.