Anxiety can creep in at any moment, regardless of the day or time. Coming across an online news article. Dealing with a tight work deadline. Even having too much or poorly timed caffeine can set you off.
There are countless factors that can trigger you to feel anxiety, including biological influences. For women, this can be even more complex due to our relationship with hormones.
These chemical messengers are a normal construct in daily functioning, but if they become imbalanced, anxiety can be a complication. Here’s a closer look at the hormone anxiety connection.
Estrogen
Estrogen is one of your main sex hormones and plays a role in your mood management. Any anxiety you may experience can also stem from this.
During menstrual cycles, estrogen levels increase, particularly during the first two weeks known as the follicular phase. In the last two weeks, known as the luteal phase, estrogen drastically drops unless you’re pregnant. With this hormone shift, it’s not uncommon for your mood to fluctuate, including an onset of anxiety.
Testosterone
Your other main sex hormone is testosterone. Most people associate testosterone with men, but it’s also present in women in lower amounts.
Testosterone levels can be linked to more positive outcomes where anxiety and depression are concerned. This could be one reason of many why women are more likely to experience anxiety compared to men.
Stress Hormones
Cortisol and adrenaline are your stress hormones. If anything triggers your body’s built-in alarm system, stress hormones are released. You enter into a fight or flight response and prepare to take action, cope with your feelings, and then move on.
If your stress hormones are triggered when you’re not in any danger, these hormones aren’t used properly as they’re released. You may have excess cortisol and adrenaline that leave you feeling anxious, but also cause more of these hormones to be released.
Cortisol spikes can be related to situational stress, medication side effects, or medical conditions. Some studies have shown women to have slightly elevated cortisol levels compared to men. Often, these spikes occur first thing in the morning. Combined with that morning caffeine or the start of the work day stress, it could be a contributing factor to anxiety.
Thyroid Hormones
Your thyroid is a powerhouse gland that releases hormones, interacting with every organ and function of the body. Any imbalance in thyroid hormone production can result in mood and behavioral symptoms.
Women experience thyroid issues up to eight times more often than men do. Roughly one in eight women will deal with thyroid problems during their lifetime. The primary area of concern regarding anxiety is an overactive thyroid. Hypothyroidism can cause irritability, restlessness, and anxiety.
Complicating the issue further is the possible presence of an autoimmune inflammatory response. Inflammation results in increased blood flow to a given area. When your thyroid receives higher blood flow, hormone production can become imbalanced.
Love Hormones
Yes, you read that correctly. You have a love hormone, and it’s called oxytocin. Unlike the other hormones covered here, the production of oxytocin can have a positive impact on anxiety.
This hormone is produced when you experience various levels of intimacy, whether it be hugging, cuddling, or sex. For women who recently gave birth, it can also be emitted during “motherly love” acts like breastfeeding. During these times, you may experience lower levels of anxiety. When you’re not in a period of higher oxytocin, your anxiety may flare up.
Your love for your partner doesn’t operate solely on a physical or emotional playing field, but a chemical one as well.
Supporting Anxiety Management
Going through hormone imbalances can leave you feeling like you’re on an emotional roller coaster ride. Rarely is anxiety the only side effect of this imbalance. It’s important to explore options for managing stress and seeking treatment if you’re concerned about an imbalance.
To learn more about developing healthy coping mechanisms and exploring your personal relationship with stress and anxiety, therapy can be a great tool. Contact me to get started with your first session. Not quite ready? Click on Anxiety Therapy to read more.