One of the most common menopause symptoms is anxiety. But why is this? We know what causes anxiety is often rooted in medical and psychological conditions. But it turns out that the anxiety symptoms in women in perimenopause and menopause are due in large part to the fluctuating levels of hormones, most notably estrogen and progesterone.
How Estrogen Affects Anxiety
One reason that menopause contributes to increases in feelings of anxiety is because menopause is marked by declining levels of estrogen. Estrogen has been proven to have a significant impact on levels of certain chemicals in the brain. The neurotransmitters serotonin, nor-epinephrine, dopamine, and melatonin are all very important in regulating our moods and emotions and are also impacted by estrogen levels in our bodies. As the level of estrogen fluctuates, so do the levels of these mood-balancing chemicals, resulting in mood swings and anxiety.
How Progesterone Affects Anxiety
Another player in the relationship between anxiety and menopause is progesterone. In a typical menstrual cycle, progesterone levels increase in the second half of the cycle in response to ovulation. But in perimenopause, we begin experiencing irregular periods because there are months where we don't ovulate. If we don't ovulate then progesterone is not produced, and we don't receive the benefit of its calming, relaxing effect.
And since our progesterone levels are so low, this leaves us in a state of "estrogen dominance." Again, estrogen significantly impacts our mood-regulating brain chemicals, so when estrogen levels are too high or too low, our emotions, including anxiety, can be all over the board.
There are many options for curing anxiety, including prescription drugs. But for many women suffering from anxiety, natural remedies are the preferred treatment. Several herbal supplements, including valerian, catnip, and passionflower, are good alternatives to the current available prescription medications.
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