Energy Levels

Exploring The Impact Of Hormones On Anxiety & What’s Next

May 24, 2023

Hi, I’m Angela
I'm a functional medicine practitioner & hormone expert working primarily with women in their 40's and 50's to create lasting health.
Get My Free 6-Step Hormone Reset Guide 
Yes, please!

Do you find yourself struggling with random and sporadic feelings of anxiety, fear, and panic every day? Are these emotions stopping you from living your life to the fullest? It might be time to dive into exploring how hormones can have an impact on mental health—particularly anxiety. While many are aware that hormonal balance has an effect on physical wellness, very few know that hormones play a key role in our emotional well-being too. As we take it one step further by understanding how our hormones interact with stress and moods, we can start to unravel the next steps towards sustained emotional well-being despite daily ups and downs. Join us as we get to grips with how our hormone levels affect our overall sparkle!

Edgyness and Irritability 

Hormonal changes can begin affecting women even before they reach their 40s and onward. Estrogen and progesterone, the primary female hormones, gradually decline at a faster pace as menopause approaches. Typically, these changes commence in the early to mid-forties and reach their peak during the early to mid-fifties.

What are some of the symptoms associated with these changes?

As someone in their mid-forties, I personally experienced a noticeable shift that many women can relate to. It’s important to note that these symptoms may manifest earlier, even in one’s thirties. Anxiety is one such symptom. I started noticing moments during my cycle when I felt more anxious, on edge, and easily irritated.

My overall functioning was affected as my anxiety levels increased. I found it challenging to concentrate, perform tasks efficiently, and maintain a clear focus. It seemed like I was constantly on edge, anticipating what was to come and unable to calm my nervous system. This heightened state persisted, particularly during the week before my period, until I gained a deeper understanding of what was happening within my body and how to restore balance.

As a woman, whether you have a regular or irregular menstrual cycle, you might find yourself experiencing similar effects during certain phases. You may notice a slight intensification of your anxiety.

Hormonal Shifts and Changes 

Is anxiety taking such a toll on your life that it’s hindering your ability to function? Does it make you want to retreat from the world, feeling overwhelmed and trapped in your own anxious thoughts?

If you’re experiencing these challenges, rest assured that they’re significantly impacting your life. I’ve worked with numerous women who struggle with anxiety, and for some, it even escalates into panic attacks. The anxiety can be so debilitating that certain women avoid driving on the freeway or engaging in everyday activities due to heightened anxiety, particularly in the premenstrual phase.

If you find yourself in your mid-to-late thirties, but more commonly in your forties and early to mid-fifties, there are potential reasons why this could be happening to you. During this phase, hormonal shifts and fluctuations occur, especially leading up to your menstrual cycle. The levels of estrogen and progesterone, the primary female sex hormones, reach their lowest points. Estrogen gradually declines as we approach menopause, and with each menstrual cycle, estrogen levels become lower.

These declining estrogen levels can act as triggers for anxiety in women.

Poorly Processed Estrogen 

Now, it’s important to note that resorting to estrogen supplementation as a quick fix for anxiety isn’t the solution for everyone. Understanding why anxiety becomes a symptom when estrogen levels decline requires a more comprehensive approach.

Not every woman with decreasing estrogen levels experiences anxiety. So it’s essential not to assume that simply adding estrogen to your body will automatically alleviate your symptoms. In reality, that’s not always the case.

If it were solely about estrogen, every woman would feel anxiety before their period or during the transition to menopause. However, this is not a universal experience. Some women sail through these phases without any symptoms, which is truly remarkable. Each woman’s journey is unique, and anxiety may or may not be a part of it.

So, what is the underlying cause of anxiety, particularly if it seems to worsen with age? The most common scenario with low estrogen levels is that the body’s ability to process estrogen is compromised. There could be various reasons for this. Additionally, as we age, starting from our thirties onward, our detoxification processes become less efficient compared to when we were younger.

This is significant because the detoxification of estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and managing anxiety, especially as we age. When estrogen levels fluctuate, either increasing or decreasing, or a combination of both, which is common during this transitional phase, effective detoxification becomes vital. It’s a journey with ups and downs along the path toward transitioning into menopause.

The LIver – Gut Partnership 

The liver plays a crucial role in detoxifying estrogen, eliminating the excess that our bodies don’t need after production. It works hand in hand with the gut to ensure proper detoxification.

When it comes to anxiety, it’s not solely about estrogen levels; it’s also about how effectively your liver and gut are detoxifying. Understanding this connection is key to getting to the root of the issue.

  • Let’s explore some important questions to help us unravel the puzzle.
  • Have you experienced any adverse reactions or intolerances to alcohol? 
  • Does consuming excessive amounts of sugar or fat lead to discomfort or digestive issues? 
  • Do you struggle with irregular bowel movements, either constipation or loose stools, especially after eating certain types of foods or processed meals? 
  • Do you often feel fatigued after meals or experience brain fog associated with digestion? 
  • Additionally, have you had a history of frequent antibiotic use, even during childhood?

These clues provide insights into your body’s detoxification processes. If you encounter challenges or have a history of these issues, it’s possible that your estrogen detoxification may not be functioning optimally.

Functional Lab Testing 

To gain a clear understanding of what’s happening in your body, specific lab tests can provide valuable insights that were not readily available in the past. These tests focus on how your body detoxifies estrogen, which is crucial when addressing anxiety.

One highly effective test is called the Dutch hormone test. It not only examines hormone levels but also assesses how estrogen is being processed and moved within the body. This information is vital in understanding the relationship between estrogen and anxiety.

There are also tests available to evaluate the gut’s function in detoxifying and eliminating estrogen from the body when necessary. These tests help us pinpoint the root cause of anxiety for each individual, which may not solely be attributed to declining estrogen levels.

It’s important to emphasize that hormone replacement therapy, specifically adding estrogen, isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for anxiety. For many women, it may not address the underlying issue at hand. The root cause of anxiety typically stems from other systems in the body, which may be impeding the proper movement and circulation of estrogen as they once did.

Help is Ready 

If you can relate to this, if you’ve tried various approaches to manage your anxiety—anti-anxiety medications, supplements, different diets, stress relief techniques—and haven’t found lasting relief, there is hope.

As a functional medicine practitioner who has personally experienced anxiety symptoms before my period, I understand the impact it can have on your life. It can be debilitating, preventing you from fully living. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can regain balance and reclaim your life. In my experience, the key is to delve deeper into the root cause of your anxiety through proper lab testing.

While lifestyle strategies like meditation, breathing techniques, and yoga can certainly be helpful in managing and rebalancing mood swings and anxiety, it’s crucial to identify the triggers and underlying factors specific to you. This is where targeted lab testing plays a pivotal role.

By understanding how your body is processing estrogen in the liver, we can implement effective natural strategies and techniques. For many women, addressing impaired estrogen detoxification is a game-changer, leading to improved mood and anxiety relief.

If you resonate with this and feel frustrated by minimal or no progress in managing your anxiety, which affects your social life, relationships, and work, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to connect with you, explore potential triggers, and guide you through the comprehensive lab testing needed for long-term healing. Because if you’re experiencing anxiety now, especially as estrogen levels decrease before your period, the problem is unlikely to improve on its own. Let’s work together to find a lasting solution.

As you approach menopause, your anxiety is likely to worsen due to lower estrogen levels throughout the month. It’s important not to wait and hope that it will improve on its own during the transition. In fact, it may even intensify. 

Now is the time to take action. I invite you to connect with me through my website. There, you can schedule a complimentary discovery call to discuss how I can help you naturally rebalance your hormones and alleviate your anxiety.

If you haven’t already, I also encourage you to join my Facebook group. In this group, I provide valuable tips and information on a regular basis to guide you in your journey towards natural healing from hormone imbalances.

Don’t let anxiety hold you back from living your best life. Take the first step towards finding relief and rediscovering balance.

Exploring the impact of hormones on anxiety provides an opportunity to think about the entire body and how it works in order to treat this condition. It’s important to remember that hormones can be low, high, or imbalanced depending on what you’re experiencing, so looking at the whole picture when addressing anxiety is always the best approach. Imbalances such as edginess and irritability due to hormonal shifts and changes, levels of poorly processed estrogen that affect the liver-gut partnership, and other imbalances missed through regular testing can all play a role in feelings of anxiety, which can inhibit someone from living their most optimal life. If you’re looking for resources to help support hormonal shifts through functional lab testing, there are experienced professionals who are available to provide guidance and ensure a personalized treatment plan tailored specifically for you. Taking these steps towards improving overall health goes beyond medications that simply mask symptoms, so don’t hesitate to reach out today if needed! To start laying down your own foundation of health, go ahead and schedule a discovery call.

Feeling anxious and suspecting hormonal imbalances? Let us help you get to the root of it with a personalized plan. Schedule a free discovery call with me to discuss your symptoms in-depth. 

Plus, join our Private Facebook Group for more support and resources!

DISCLAIMER:  The information in this email is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional

Add a comment
+ show Comments
- Hide Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Snag it →

Get started for free with my easy-to-follow process for shifting your body back into balance & feeling better fast. 

6-step guide to balancing your hormones, naturally

free guide

Get my proven process!

Join The 5K+ Hormone Health Community.

Come join the active Facebook community of women on a mission to balance their hormones & reclaim their health. This is where I share great DIY tips & support.  

Plus, find inspiration and support from 5,000+ other women on the same journey.

Join the Group!