You can feel the anxiety creeping in, but you’re not quite sure where it’s coming from. Your home life is great, and work hasn’t been hectic lately. Yet somehow work is becoming increasingly difficult for you.
You’re unable to focus. And you’re having trouble remembering details. You can’t even remember what you had for lunch today. You’re normally on top of things, but lately, you haven’t felt like yourself.
Your coworkers seem to be doing just fine. You’re starting to question what’s wrong with you. You’ve retraced your steps and the only thing you can think of is that your hormones may be out of whack.
So, let’s find out. Can women’s hormones cause anxiety symptoms?
Women’s Hormones and Anxiety
The short answer is yes. Women’s hormones can cause anxiety symptoms. If you think about it, it makes complete sense, as hormones are chemical messengers that send signals to different parts of the body. If hormones become too high or too low, it can affect the body’s normal processes and can lead to various complications. Anxiety can be one of those complications.
Males and females can both suffer from hormonal imbalances, but people who were assigned female at birth are more likely to be impacted due to changes like puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and postmenopause.
Types of Hormones that Affect Anxiety
There are four types of hormones that affect anxiety.
1. Sex Hormones
Sex hormones include estrogen and testosterone. The different levels of estrogen and testosterone can affect your mood.
2. Stress Hormones
Cortisol and adrenaline make up the stress hormones. These hormones are released whenever the body senses a potential danger or threat. The stress hormones are released to initiate the fight or flight response to help cope with the threat at hand.
3. Thyroid Hormones
There are three hormones that make up the thyroid: triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Thyroid hormones affect your mood, which means an imbalance in thyroid hormones can affect how you feel physically and mentally.
4. “Love” Hormone
The love hormone consists of oxytocin. Actions like breastfeeding, hugging, cuddling, and intercourse release oxytocin. Some research suggests that oxytocin actually has a positive impact on anxiety and stress.
Symptoms of Hormone-Related Anxiety
Anxiety can be a symptom of hormonal imbalance. Some of the most common symptoms of hormone-related anxiety:
- Excessive worrying
- Difficulty controlling worrying
- Difficulty relaxing
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Increased heart rate
- Panic attacks
- Inattention
How to Reduce Hormone-Related Anxiety
Hormonal imbalances can feel like a vicious cycle, but there are measures you can take to reduce anxiety that comes from it.
Move Your Body
Exercise naturally improves stress. When you exercise, hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are reduced. And endorphins or “feel good” chemicals are released. Aim to move your body for at least thirty minutes several days a week to see the benefits associated with exercise.
Manage Stress
Stress is one of the greatest factors in producing more stress hormones. Try incorporating relaxation techniques into your daily routine as a way to be proactive rather than reactive toward the stress in your life. Deep breathing, self-massage, and creative visualization can help reduce stress and manage anxiety levels.
Improve Your Diet
When you fuel your body properly, you can promote well-being from the inside out. What you fuel your body with plays a big role in how you feel, especially related to your hormones. Make sure you’re fueling your body with well-balanced meals throughout the day.
Prioritize Your Sleep
Sleep is essential for proper rest and recovery. Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep each night. Try to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up around the same time each morning. Getting into a sleep schedule or routine can improve anxiety you may be experiencing.
Next Steps
You are not alone if you’re struggling with anxiety, hormonal imbalances, or a combination of the two. If anxiety is impacting your overall health and well-being, it may be time to seek additional support. Reach out to us today to set up an appointment for anxiety treatment.
