Hormone Replacement Therapy
The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as an emotion causing “a feeling of tension accompanied by thoughts of worry and apprehension”. Anxiety also induces physiological responses such as sweating, dizziness, trembling, increased blood pressure and rapid heart rate. Temporary anxiety affects everyone on a daily basis, whether it’s mild anxiety due to being late for an appointment or considerable anxiety over unexpected bad news. Although anxiety is perceived differently by each individual, common signs of anxiety–feeling worried, fearful and tense–remain consistent across both adult men and women.1
Women of all ages are diagnosed much more frequently with an anxiety disorder than men. The Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Studies involving over 20,000 men and women living in the U.S. found much higher numbers of lifetime diagnosis for anxiety disorders in women than men. Other research studies have supported this finding by concluding that women are simply more prone to suffering from short-term or long-term anxiety.2 The question that now needs answered is why?
Connecting Hormonal Imbalances with Anxiety in Women
Perimenopause and menopause have been clinically linked to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Around age 40, levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in women start fluctuating wildly as the female reproductive system begin the process of shutting down.3
Estrogen is produced by the ovaries, fat tissues and placenta in pregnant women. Progesterone is made by the adrenal glands, placenta, and ovaries. The adrenal glands, ovaries and fat and skin cells release small amounts of testosterone that support brain, heart and nervous system health. During a woman’s 40s, the production of these three hormones decreases steadily until the absence of at least 10 to 12 menstrual cycles indicates the onset of menopause.
Decades of research have confirmed the profound effect reduced levels of estrogen and progesterone have on the serotonergic (serotonin) system in the brain. A neurotransmitter regulating mood, sleep, motivation, appetite, and libido, serotonin production depends on estrogen and progesterone to complete specific chemical processes. This is why many people with anxiety disorders are prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications reduce anxiety by raising serotonin levels in the brain.4
For women with hormonal imbalances involving estrogen and progesterone, taking SSRIs does not treat the underlying cause of their anxiety. While antidepressants may relieve anxiety, side effects of taking antidepressants are known to adversely impact perimenopausal and menopausal women more than younger women. These include increased appetite, weight gain, headaches, loss of sexual desire, and fatigue. Weight gain is a commonly reported side effect in women over 40 taking SSRIs that can contribute to the development of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.5
How Does Testosterone Influence Anxiety?
Although testosterone levels in women are much lower than in men, this “male” hormone is thought to play a key role in regard to generalized anxiety and associated anxiety disorders. Researchers think higher testosterone concentrations in men could be one of multiple reasons men do not report anxiety as much as women. Some research suggests that testosterone supplements can alleviate depression and anxiety in both men and women. In addition, women under 40 with anxiety problems have been found to have low levels of testosterone in their saliva. This finding could indicate the small but significant influence testosterone loss has on women who are going through perimenopause or menopause.6, 7
What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Bioidentical hormone therapy or BHRT is the safest, most effective hormone replacement therapy available to women and men. Bioidentical hormones are not made with equine estrogens found in pharmaceutically manufactured hormones that are known to increase your risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Instead, plant-based bioidentical hormones are derived from plant hormones that closely match the molecular structure of hormones produced by your endocrine system. Researchers have found that cells readily accept bioidentical hormones because cells recognize plant-based hormones as being “real” hormones. Alternately, studies indicate the reason prescription hormones raise your risk of serious diseases is due to cells resisting acceptance of overly synthetic hormones. This resistance is thought to produce systemic inflammation resulting in the development of cancer, heart disease, or stroke.
To learn more about the benefits of BHRT for restoring hormone balance and reducing anxiety, call Renew Health and Wellness to speak to a friendly staff member.
References
- https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3135672/
- https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/mental-health-at-menopause/depression-menopause
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/ssris/art-20044825
- https://www.drugwatch.com/ssri/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/drugs-and-medications/testosterone–what-it-does-and-doesnt-do
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322663
Hormone Replacement Therapy
The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as an emotion causing “a feeling of tension accompanied by thoughts of worry and apprehension”. Anxiety also induces physiological responses such as sweating, dizziness, trembling, increased blood pressure and rapid heart rate. Temporary anxiety affects everyone on a daily basis, whether it’s mild anxiety due to being late for an appointment or considerable anxiety over unexpected bad news. Although anxiety is perceived differently by each individual, common signs of anxiety–feeling worried, fearful and tense–remain consistent across both adult men and women.1
Women of all ages are diagnosed much more frequently with an anxiety disorder than men. The Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Studies involving over 20,000 men and women living in the U.S. found much higher numbers of lifetime diagnosis for anxiety disorders in women than men. Other research studies have supported this finding by concluding that women are simply more prone to suffering from short-term or long-term anxiety.2 The question that now needs answered is why?
Connecting Hormonal Imbalances with Anxiety in Women
Perimenopause and menopause have been clinically linked to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Around age 40, levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in women start fluctuating wildly as the female reproductive system begin the process of shutting down.3
Estrogen is produced by the ovaries, fat tissues and placenta in pregnant women. Progesterone is made by the adrenal glands, placenta, and ovaries. The adrenal glands, ovaries and fat and skin cells release small amounts of testosterone that support brain, heart and nervous system health. During a woman’s 40s, the production of these three hormones decreases steadily until the absence of at least 10 to 12 menstrual cycles indicates the onset of menopause.
Decades of research have confirmed the profound effect reduced levels of estrogen and progesterone have on the serotonergic (serotonin) system in the brain. A neurotransmitter regulating mood, sleep, motivation, appetite, and libido, serotonin production depends on estrogen and progesterone to complete specific chemical processes. This is why many people with anxiety disorders are prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications reduce anxiety by raising serotonin levels in the brain.4
For women with hormonal imbalances involving estrogen and progesterone, taking SSRIs does not treat the underlying cause of their anxiety. While antidepressants may relieve anxiety, side effects of taking antidepressants are known to adversely impact perimenopausal and menopausal women more than younger women. These include increased appetite, weight gain, headaches, loss of sexual desire, and fatigue. Weight gain is a commonly reported side effect in women over 40 taking SSRIs that can contribute to the development of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.5
How Does Testosterone Influence Anxiety?
Although testosterone levels in women are much lower than in men, this “male” hormone is thought to play a key role in regard to generalized anxiety and associated anxiety disorders. Researchers think higher testosterone concentrations in men could be one of multiple reasons men do not report anxiety as much as women. Some research suggests that testosterone supplements can alleviate depression and anxiety in both men and women. In addition, women under 40 with anxiety problems have been found to have low levels of testosterone in their saliva. This finding could indicate the small but significant influence testosterone loss has on women who are going through perimenopause or menopause.6, 7
What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Bioidentical hormone therapy or BHRT is the safest, most effective hormone replacement therapy available to women and men. Bioidentical hormones are not made with equine estrogens found in pharmaceutically manufactured hormones that are known to increase your risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Instead, plant-based bioidentical hormones are derived from plant hormones that closely match the molecular structure of hormones produced by your endocrine system. Researchers have found that cells readily accept bioidentical hormones because cells recognize plant-based hormones as being “real” hormones. Alternately, studies indicate the reason prescription hormones raise your risk of serious diseases is due to cells resisting acceptance of overly synthetic hormones. This resistance is thought to produce systemic inflammation resulting in the development of cancer, heart disease, or stroke.
To learn more about the benefits of BHRT for restoring hormone balance and reducing anxiety, call Renew Health and Wellness to speak to a friendly staff member.
References
- https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3135672/
- https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/mental-health-at-menopause/depression-menopause
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/ssris/art-20044825
- https://www.drugwatch.com/ssri/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/drugs-and-medications/testosterone–what-it-does-and-doesnt-do
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322663
