Hormonal Changes and Mental Health

Although there’s been a fair amount of research on this topic, very little is known about how hormonal changes will manifest individually. Each person seems to have his/her own course regardless of genetics or environment. That’s why it’s good to know the over-arching characteristics so you can determine if symptoms are due to organicity, hormonal changes, situational factors, etc. This is not only true for women (peri- or menopause), but these changes are also seen in men (andropause).
 
You may (or not) experience one or all of these:
 

• Anxiety-Heart palpitations, intense sense of fear, irrational thoughts.
• Depression-Sadness, isolation, avoidance, just not wanting to get out of bed.
• Mood swings and irritability-Short fuse, easily angered or annoyed which comes and goes quickly.
  
• Problems with concentration or brain fog-Losing your train of thought and problems focusing.
• Night sweats and hot flashes-The popular and dynamic duo.
• Weight gain-Particularly in the lower midsection. Women may also see larger breast, and a thicker neck and torso.
• Changes in libido-Decrease or INCREASE in sex drive.
  
• A change in eating habits-You may tend to eat more, or purposely eat less to combat weight gain. The selection of what you eat is non-nutritive and less healthy than normal. You may have food cravings.
• Changes in sleep patterns-Typically sleeplessness with early awakenings.
• Metabolic changes-Sluggish thyroid which also contributes to weight gain.

 
All of these symptoms can be distressing especially if you do not understand the cause. It’s first helpful to rule out changes in hormones, and it’s more likely hormonal if you are:
 

• Over 40.
• If you can predict when you’ll have the symptoms (e.g., just prior to your menstrual cycle, always at a certain time of day or night).
• The symptoms only occur when there’s a physiological or bodily change (when your blood sugar is low, dehydration, or when you have water retention).

 
There is hope and help! Some symptoms regulate themselves with time; if not; they can be treated like any other mental health manifestations. Often times natural and homeopathic methods are extremely effective and may be cheaper than traditional medicine.
 
Keep in mind that treatment may require some time (some people experience hormonal changes
for 7 to 10 years and with varying severity). Do your research, and visit your mental health practitioner, or prescribing practitioner (OB/GYN, endocrinologist, or PCP) to help you with the journey.