Q: Are Problems With Memory And Concentration A Normal Part Of Menopause
A: Unfortunately,trouble concentrating and minor memory problems can be a normal part ofmenopause. Experts dont understand exactly why this happens, but if you arehaving them, talk to your doctor. He or she can at least provide somereassurance.
Activities that stimulate your brain can also helprejuvenate your memory, so spend some time with crossword puzzles or cozy upwith a book. Keep in mind that depression and anxiety may make memory concernsmore noticeable.
Read Also: Are Hormones Bad For You
Estrogen And Postmenopausal Depression
At menopause, estrogen levels fall to very low levels. Interestingly, taking oral estrogen does not improve depression in women after menopause. In large trials evaluating hormone replacement therapy, women taking estrogen reported the same mental health as women taking placebo. After menopause, women’s rates of depression fall, becoming similar to men of the same age.
Show Sources
Talk To A Womens Care Provider
Although hormones play important roles in maintaining normal body functions, too many or too few could lead to complications. Understanding how they affect mood and stress response is a good first step towards decreasing hormone-related anxiety disorder.
Dont let your hormones disrupt your well-being. Treating hormonal imbalances that cause your anxiety and panic disorder is possible. Consult a womens health doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
North Valley Womens Care has a clinical team that cares a lot about womens health and wellness.
We offer various healthcare procedures including hormone replacement therapy and ob-gyn services. Contact us today to book an appointment!
If you have any questions about hormones and anxiety, leave us a comment below and well get back to you.
You Might Also Enjoy…
Recommended Reading: Male Hormones And Their Functions
Iuds And Depression: How Are They Related
Hormonal intrauterine devices, or IUDs, are a common form of hormonal birth control that have been used for decades. However, the synthetic progestin hormone that the IUD emits, levonorgestrel, may cause mood swings and other mental health changes for some women. Some women have reported being concerned about anxiety or depression as a side effect of their IUD. Read on to find out if you need to consult with your doctor about mental health side effects of your IUD.
Dont Miss: Tubal Ligation Cause Early Menopause
Health Conditions Caused By Hormonal Imbalances
Though thyroid hormone and cortisol imbalances affect men and women similarly, the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone can cause mental health changes that are unique to women.
For some women, the regular fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone associated with our menstrual cycles can cause extreme changes in mood called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder , Dr. Goddard says. The more extreme changes in hormone levels after giving birth or during menopause can lead to a lot of sudden changes in mood that can be quite disconcerting, and for some women can cause depression and/or anxiety.
Common hormonal health conditions include:
Many of these health conditions may be attributed to the endocrine glandssuch as the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, and the adrenal glandhaving difficulty releasing the perfect amount of hormone.
Also Check: Birth Control Methods Can Be Behavioral Barrier Or Hormonal
The Hormones That Affect Depression
There are several hormones that play a part in depression. The relationships between hormones and depression in women include:
Estrogen: Boosts serotonin, which helps fight depression and promotes sleep. It also increases GABA, the calming neurotransmitter and raises endorphins, which help you feel good. Low estrogen levels often found in menopause can cause feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
Progesterone: This hormone helps to balance estrogen, helps promote sleep and has a natural calming effect. It also normalizes libido, is a natural diuretic and a natural antidepressant. Abnormal levels of progesterone cause insomnia and contribute to bad moods.
Cortisol: This stress hormone can cause depression if levels rise too high or fall to far below average. High levels of cortisol can create agitation, increased belly fat, insomnia and sugar cravings. Low levels can be associated with inability to handle stress, extreme fatigue, low libido and mood instability.
Dont Miss: Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Testosterone Therapy
Can Pcos Affect Moods
As I mentioned earlier, women with PCOS are statistically more likely to battle issues with anxiety and depression.
They are at high risk for developing major depression, binge-eating disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.
While we cant say for sure exactly why this is, some research indicates its due to the insulin resistance thats characteristic of PCOS. Whether this is exactly why or not, incorporating dietary changes that support balanced blood sugar and inflammation are key to getting PCOS in check.
If you are experiencing anxiety and a cluster of the following symptoms, you may want to talk to your doctor about PCOS:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
Since one of the hallmark traits of PCOS is anovulatory cycles, women can often find themselves low in progesterone and high in testosterone. As Ive explained, both imbalances in progesterone and testosterone can contribute to anxiety.
I would encourage you to check out my PCOS Kit that is designed to support womens natural hormone function to help clear up acne, lose weight, and even get their period back.
I also have a ton of great information on my website specifically to help you ladies struggling with PCOS.
Don’t Miss: Can Losing Weight Cause Hormonal Imbalance
How Hormonal Imbalance Affects Your Mental Health
Hormones are your bodys chemical messengers. They travel in your bloodstream to tissues and organs, working to affect many different processes, including:
- Growth and development
Hormones are powerful. It only takes a tiny imbalance to cause a big change in your cells, body, and mind.
When your hormones are balanced, you feel energetic, sharp, and motivated. On the flip side, when you have a hormonal imbalance, you could experience symptoms often associated with mental illnesses, such as:
- Lack of motivation
Can You Snap Out Of Depression Will It Go Away On Its Own
MYTH
Depression is a real and serious medical condition. It is not a choice or a sign of weakness. It will not be resolved by thinking happy thoughts alone. Changing your attitude can be helpful as part of a suite of interventions, but on its own, it is unlikely to resolve depression in the long-term. It is KEY to communicate how you feel to others and seek professional help.
You May Like: Where Can I Get Estrogen Blockers
Integrated Approach To Bhrt
Because there are many things that can affect your hormones and the endocrine glands that produce them stress, lifestyle, diet and nutrition, sleep quality, allergies, and more Dr. I offers an integrated approach to identify what exactly is affecting your hormone levels and creates a plan for what can help keep your hormones in balance moving forward.
Menopause And Depression: The Untold Symptoms
Rachel was prepared for menopause to bring changes to her sex drive and energy levels. She didnt expect increased anxiety. Shes started to struggle to get out of the house. Normal social activities leave her feeling flustered and upset. She worries more than she ever did before. She cant find an outside reason for those changes.
Her hormones are to blame for anxiety and depression.
Menopause brings with it plenty of changes. Many of those changes can also increase the risk of depression. Unfortunately, depression during menopause often goes undetected. Postmenopausal womenthose who are more than a year from their last periodhave higher rates of depression than women who havent yet gone through menopause. In fact, you are more susceptible to depression after menopause than at any other time of your life.
Recommended Reading: Hormones To Transition From Male To Female
How Can Hormonal Imbalance And Anxiety Be Treated
There are different options women can turn to in order to tackle their anxiety due to a hormonal imbalance:
- Discuss with a close friend or family member what causes your anxiety episodes.
- Avoid taking on stressful assignments
- Spread out responsibilities among family members and friends in order to avoid anxiety episodes.
- Visit a counselor to talk about anxiety due to a hormonal imbalance and discuss how these problems can be overcome.
Thus, women should ensure that they are receiving the correct emotional support for their menopause symptoms. However, there are also lifestyle changes that can help women to prevent a hormonal imbalance and anxiety episodes.
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet that is filled with fruits and vegetables
- Exercise regularly, it is recommended for half an hour a day, five times a week
- Sleep for 7 to 8 hours a night
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
These are some tips that can help women to overcome their anxiety due to a hormonal imbalance. Nevertheless, there are other treatments that women can turn to in order to beat their hormonal imbalance. For example, there are many natural supplements available that help to boost estrogen and progesterone hormone levels, and combat anxiety.
Estrogen And Premenstrual Syndrome
As many as 90% of women experience unpleasant symptoms before their periods. If symptoms are reliably severe enough to interfere with quality of life, it’s defined as premenstrual syndrome . Generally speaking, PMS is present when:
- Physical and emotional symptoms occur reliably a few days before multiple consecutive menses .
- The symptoms go away after completing a period and don’t occur at other times.
- The symptoms cause significant personal problems .
- No medicines, drugs, alcohol, or other health condition might be to blame.
Bloating, swelling of arms or legs, and breast tenderness are the usual physical symptoms. Feeling overly emotional, experiencing depression, anger and irritability, or having anxiety and social withdrawal may be present. As many as 20% to 40% of women may have PMS at some point in life.
Also Check: How Can I Control My Hormonal Acne
Neurotransmitters Anxiety And Depression
Three neurotransmittersserotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are mainly responsible for relaying chemical messages throughout your central nervous system. When you suffer from depression and anxiety, a significant imbalance in neurotransmitter levels exists that negatively influences your emotions and attitude. Studies investigating the onset of depression and anxiety have found that just a minimal reduction in neurotransmitter levels may cause depression and anxiety symptoms. Deregulation of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine also affects your sleep, appetite, libido, and ability to cope with stress productively.1
Dont Miss: What Foods Raise Estrogen Levels
How Your Hormones Can Impact Your Mental Health
More research is needed around how hormones and mental health are connected, but experts say there is definitely an interaction between hormones and well-being. Heres what we know: Your endocrine system works in tandem with your nervous system known as the hypothalamic-pituitary system to maintain a sense of homeostasis, or physiological equilibrium. This equilibrium is what the body wants, but when its not achieved, a lot can go wrong.
When something is out of balance with your hormones it has an effect on the whole system, which means youre going to feel it manifest both in your body and your mind.
Ready for a deeper dive? According to Dr. Cory Rice, internist and certified BioTE practitioner, The major endocrine glands in humans are the thyroid gland and the adrenal glands. If this chemical messaging system or the hormone feedback loops are negatively compromised in any way, this can have profound effects on someones health, particularly as it relates to their mental health.
For example, he says, the thyroid gland is the master gland of our endocrine system. Its responsible for producing the hormones T3 and T4, and its T3 that has a major role in ones mental health. Many of the T3 receptors in our body are concentrated in our brain. So if we have a thyroid gland that is underperforming , there is not enough thyroid hormone getting to the brain. This can, and oftentimes will, lead to increased rates of depression or anxiety or other mental health issues.
Recommended Reading: What Type Of Doctor Treats Female Hormone Imbalance
Depression Symptoms In Women Due To Hormones
It is common for menopause to prompt emotions of sadness and depression in women. It is estimated that between 8% and 15% in menopause experience depression in women of some form, often beginning in perimenopause.
The onset of perimenopause and menopause result in a variety of physical and emotional symptoms which can cause stress, frustration, and ultimately depression. These symptoms, added to an already full load of responsibilities with your family, work, finances, etc., can be just too much to deal with. It doesnt help that most women dread menopause all of their lives due to the horror stories that are passed along by friends and family members.
Beyond that, depression, like stress, may be another symptom of menopause. The hormone imbalance associated with perimenopause and menopause inhibits your body from managing stress and experiencing positive moods. Hormones and depression in women are closely related.
You May Like: What Causes Breakthrough Bleeding When On Bioidentical Hormones
What Are The Symptoms Of Depression
While the symptoms of depression can vary depending on the severity, there are some standard symptoms to watch for. Depression not only affects your thought and feelings, it can also impact how you act, what you say, and your relationships with others. Common symptoms include:
- loss of interest in pleasurable or fun activities
- trouble thinking clearly or making decisions
- poor performance at work or school
- dropping out of activities
- pain, like headaches or muscle aches
- drug or alcohol abuse
Some people also show signs of mania, psychotic episodes, or changes in motor abilities. These can signify other conditions that can cause depression, like bipolar disorder.
If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person:
- · Call 911 or your local emergency number.
- · Stay with the person until help arrives.
- · Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may cause harm.
- · Listen, but dont judge, argue, threaten, or yell.
If you think someone is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
Many factors can increase your risk of developing depression at some point in your life. Risk factors include:
- having low self-esteem
Recommended Reading: How Do You Treat Hormonal Acne
What Is The Relationship Between Hormones And Anxiety
If youve ever felt confused by spiking anxiety shortly before your period begins, dont worry: Youre not alone. Our hormones directly affect our anxiety levels. And its not just progesterone a number of hormones can influence how stressed youre feeling on any particular day, regardless of whether you have a uterus or not.Heres the rundown of the wild world of hormones inside our body and info about how they can increase your anxiety.
Is It Depression Or Just Your Hormones
Feeling blue? Cant seem to find the energy to get off the couch? Having trouble focusing on anything? You may assume its depression, and if you talk about your concerns with your healthcare provider, you could very likely walk away with a prescription for antidepressants. But what if it isnt really depression? What if your symptoms are due to something elsesomething that antidepressants wont help? For example, did you know that hormonal imbalances can lead to many symptoms of depression?
Read Also: What Are The Side Effects Of Estrogen
Is It True That Depression Is A Genetic Condition So If Your Parents Didnt Have It Neither Will You
MYTH
Genetics do play a role and a family history of depression does increase the likelihood of experiencing depression. However, genetics is not the only factor at play, and everyone, regardless of family history, can work to minimize their risk of depression with simple actions like ensuring high quality sleep, eating nutritious food, exercising, and avoiding drugs and alcohol.
How To Cure Hormonal Anxiety
It’s also important to remember that hormonal imbalances may not be the cause of anxiety. While poorly functioning hormones can be a contributing factor, many of those with hormonal imbalances showed signs of anxiety previously. In some cases anxiety may be caused almost exclusively by hormones, but in many cases it is a combination of hormones and previous mental health problems, or may have nothing to do with hormones at all.
Yet no matter what the cause of your anxiety – even if it’s something physical – you can treat it using psychological techniques. Your mind is incredibly powerful, and it can learn to control anxiety even when that anxiety is related to a hormonal imbalance.
Was this article helpful?
You May Like: Best Hormonal Weight Loss Pill
Can You Snap Out Of Depression Or Will It Go Away On Its Own
FALSE
Depression is a real and serious medical condition. It is not a choice, nor is it a sign of weakness. It will not be resolved by thinking happy thoughts alone. Changing your attitude can be helpful as part of a suite of interventions, but on its own, it is unlikely to resolve depression in the long-term. It is KEY to seek professional help.
Whats The Difference Between A Copper Iud And Hormonal Iuds
A copper IUD is wrapped in copper, a type of metal that kills sperm. It doesnt contain or release any reproductive hormones. In most cases, it can last for up to 12 years before it should be removed and replaced.
A hormonal IUD releases small amounts of progestin, a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. This causes the lining of your cervix to thicken, which makes it harder for sperm to enter your uterus. This type of IUD can last for up to three years or longer, depending on the brand.
Don’t Miss: How To Reduce Cortisol Hormone In The Body