Anxiety is never always psychological. Experts say that anxious states can also be caused by hormones going haywire. Hormones are powerful chemicals that help keep our bodies to work normally. By definition, hormones are the body’s natural chemical messengers that carry messages from glands to cells. They serve as catalysts for other chemical changes at the cellular level for growth, development, and energy. Hormones help stimulate, regulate and control the function of various tissues and organs.
Hormonal imbalances have a big contribution to anxiety because very low hormone progesterone may cause anxiety disorders. Thus, the destructive effect of stress on hormone balance starts with anxiety.
The connection between hormonal fluctuations and anxiety is not fully understood. However, it is well known that women are more prone than men to develop anxiety disorders and depression. This is because women have to give birth, breastfeed and experience very complex situations such as monthly menstrual cycle and menopause.
When people are stressed out, hormones are activated to help the body cope. But with constant stress, hormonal levels become imbalance. Take for example, a woman nearing menopause. During this stressful phase of her life, she experiences an imbalance in estrogen, an excitatory hormone that improves mood by increasing serotonin levels, and progesterone, a relaxing hormone that allows for feelings of well-being. With low estrogen and progesterone in her body, she is vulnerable to anxiety attacks.
Depression, mood swings, low libido and lack of energy can occur in response to hormonal imbalance. These symptoms are also indicative of hormonal imbalances due to menopause, thyroid disorders or early ovarian failure. Anxiety symptoms are also caused by hormonal therapy like birth control pills. In addition, a major contributing factor to hormonal imbalance is the increased exposure to pesticides, herbicides and plastics. Many symptoms of anxiety do not seem to either improve or worsen with treatment for hormonal fluctuations.
There are gentle alternative approaches to women with chronic or mild anxiety disorder that can provide relief, either medications or natural treatments. Treatments for hormonal imbalance range from basic lifestyle changes to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT increases the estrogen and progesterone levels in the body. By restoring these levels, the symptoms of anxiety such as nervousness, palpitations, shortness of breath, and hot flushes are greatly minimized or eliminated.
Anxiety and hormonal imbalance can be very disappointing. Talk to your ObGyne about your concerns. It will help a lot. Sometimes, having encouraging talks with friends or loved ones can also aid in relieving anxiety and stress especially for women.
