Hormone imbalances causing anxiety involve fluctuations in stress hormones (cortisol), thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism), and sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), particularly during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause, or due to conditions like Cushing's syndrome, all of which disrupt mood regulation and the nervous system.
Depression or anxiety: Low estrogen, testosterone, or thyroid hormone levels can lead to mood swings, irritability, or depression. Elevated cortisol may contribute to anxiety or panic attacks.
Fear1 and anxiety prominently trigger stress responses, including the release of (nor)epinephrine and glucocorticoids (mostly cortisol in humans; McEwen et al., 2015; McEwen et al., 2012; cf. Fig. 1).
Mind-Body Practices: Techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing can help calm anxiety and regulate stress hormones. Medical Guidance: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), supplements, or targeted medications may be helpful for those experiencing severe anxiety due to hormonal changes.
Progesterone and Anxiety
Healthy levels of progesterone are key for keeping anxiety away because progesterone stimulates GABA, a “feel good” hormone.
When estrogen and progesterone hormone levels drop during perimenopause, serotonin levels also fall, contributing to increased irritability, nervousness and anxiety. Higher levels of cortisol, the “stress hormone” that increases with age, can also create feelings of anxiety.
Serotonin: Dubbed the "feel-good hormone," serotonin plays a key role in staving off anxiety and depression. In fact, the main class of drugs used to treat these conditions — SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) — increase serotonin levels in the brain.
Supplement options
Although further studies are needed, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to anxiety and depression. Supplements may help manage symptoms of stress and anxiety in those who are deficient. Vitamin B complex supplements may also help lower stress and anxiety levels.
Mood swings are another effect of low estrogen. You may feel sad, anxious, or frustrated. Shifting hormone levels and night sweats may disrupt your sleep. This can cause fatigue, which may make mood swings worse.
Some individuals find it helpful to discuss treatments such as:
A big event or a buildup of smaller stressful life situations may trigger excessive anxiety — for example, a death in the family, work stress or ongoing worry about finances. Personality. People with certain personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders than others are. Other mental health disorders.
When progesterone levels drop, this can cause anxiety, stress and mood swings. Many women report feeling more anxious or irritable, especially during the second half of their cycle or throughout perimenopause or menopause, when progesterone production starts to decline.
Thyroid hormones play a significant role in anxiety. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels directly correlate with the severity of panic attacks (which are a type of anxiety disorder). Common symptoms of thyroid imbalance can include: Nervousness.
A cortisol test measures the level of cortisol in your blood, pee or spit. You often need to get multiple cortisol tests because your levels naturally change throughout the day.
Combined HRT with oestrogen and progesterone can help with anxiety during menopause as oestrogen can reduce the body's fear response and progesterone can help with sleep and anxiety because its breakdown products bind to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors.
High estrogen is usually associated with heavy or irregular periods, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, or mood swings. Low estrogen symptoms include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, poor sleep, or irregular periods.
Wrinkles: Fine lines appear more pronounced, especially around the eyes and mouth.. Sagging: Loss of firmness in the jawline and cheeks. Dullness: Your skin loses its natural radiance, appearing more lackluster.
To increase your estrogen levels, consider adding:
Vitamin D deficiency is linked to depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. Vitamin D enhances serotonin synthesis, has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, and regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and circadian rhythms.
Is there an effective herbal treatment for anxiety?
For those who only need relief during specific events, propranolol can be a game-changer, as this is a good alternative to riskier medications like Xanax, Klonopin and Valium which are often used for in the moment anxiety control.
Yes, certain hormonal imbalances can cause anxiety, including: Hyperthyroidism: If you have hyperthyroidism, it means your body has too much thyroid hormone. Excess thyroid hormone speeds up your metabolism. This can cause anxiety, in addition to unusual nervousness, restlessness and irritability.
Low serotonin symptoms often involve mood issues like depression and anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia), digestive troubles (constipation, appetite changes, carb cravings), and cognitive issues such as poor memory or focus, along with irritability and fatigue. These symptoms can also manifest as obsessive-compulsive behaviors, increased worry, difficulty managing emotions, and a general sense of unease or low well-being.