Anxiety doesn’t always start in your mind, sometimes, it begins in your hormones. If you’ve ever experienced anxiety with no clear trigger, then a hormone imbalance may be the cause. In fact, studies show that fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol can significantly impact mood and anxiety levels in both women and men.
For Mental Health Awareness Week, we explore the relationship between hormone imbalance and anxiety, and how Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) can help.
Why Hormonal Anxiety Is Often Misunderstood
Around 10% of adults in the UK are living with an anxiety disorder. Many men and women are told their anxiety symptoms are down to stress or maybe part of getting older and going through menopause or andropause – but this is not the case.
At the Marion Gluck Clinic, we believe it’s time to change the conversation around hormones and anxiety. Hormonal shifts are very real and can significantly impact your mental wellbeing.The good news? There are safe, effective, doctor-led treatments available and it all starts with getting to the root cause of your issues.
Understanding the Link Between Hormone Imbalances and Anxiety
Hormones influence nearly every function in your body, including how you feel. When your hormones are in balance, they help regulate mood, sleep, energy levels, and emotional resilience. But when they’re not, it can lead to mood swings, irritability, panic attacks, and persistent anxiety.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how your hormones affect your anxiety:
Estrogen
Estrogen helps regulate your serotonin, the ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter that helps keep anxiety in check. When estrogen levels drop high before your period, after childbirth, or during perimenopause, so can your serotonin. The result? Low mood, heightened emotional sensitivity, and yes, anxiety.
Progesterone
Known for its calming, anti-anxiety effects, progesterone is a natural relaxant. When progesterone dips, especially in the second half of your cycle or during perimenopause, you might experience sleep issues, irritability, and heightened stress responses.
Cortisol
Cortisol is your body’s alarm system. It rises during times of stress and keeps you alert. Whilst cortisol is essential for our underlying physiology, chronically elevated levels can have a huge impact on our mental health. Consistently high cortisol levels, often caused by long-term stress, poor sleep, or hormonal imbalance, can make you feel anxious, edgy, and burnt out.
Thyroid Hormones
Both underactive (hypothyroidism) and overactive (hyperthyroidism) thyroid conditions can lead to symptoms like racing thoughts, low mood, and anxiety. Since the thyroid is closely linked to mood and energy, having a thyroid disorder can put you at risk of developing anxiety and depression.
Anxiety in Women and Men
While anyone can experience anxiety, research shows that women are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder than men, and hormones are one of the biggest reasons why. Anxiety and mental health are complicated but
In women, hormonal fluctuations are constant: from monthly menstrual cycles to pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. These hormonal shifts can profoundly impact mood-regulating brain chemicals like serotonin, GABA, and dopamine.
For men, hormone imbalance and anxiety are most commonly caused by low testosterone. Low T is increasingly linked to symptoms like low mood, irritability, and anxiety. While male hormones are generally more stable than female hormones, imbalances still occur, especially with age, chronic stress, or underlying health conditions. But Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) can help.
Anxiety and Hormone Replacement Therapy – When To Seek Treatment
If your anxiety seems cyclical, intensifies at certain times of the month, or first appeared during key life stages such as puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause for women, or during hormonal changes related to testosterone decline in men. It’s worth exploring your hormonal health with a doctor who understands the mind-body connection, like our expert hormone doctors here at the Marion Gluck Clinic.
If your anxiety feels:
- Worse at certain times of the month
- Linked to sleep problems or mood swings
- Triggered by life stages like menopause, perimenopause, postpartum, or andropause in men
- Not responding to other anxiety treatments
…it’s time to consider a hormone health assessment.
“Anxiety that seems to come out of nowhere is often hormonal in nature. We see so many women struggling with unexplained anxiety, especially during perimenopause, menopause or after childbirth, along with low testosterone being a major trigger for anxiety in men. But once we test a person’s hormones to identify the area of need, we can then help to bring them back into balance, the transformation can be life-changing”, explains Dr. Liz Leek, Hormone Specialist at the Marion Gluck Clinic.
But when it comes to anxiety and hormone replacement therapy. It’s not just about treating the symptoms; it’s about addressing the cause.
Remember, you don’t have to live with anxiety. And you don’t have to guess what’s causing it. With the right testing, diagnosis, and personalised treatment plan, a less anxious you is possible.
Anxiety and Hormone Replacement Therapy
At the Marion Gluck Clinic, we treat both women and men who are experiencing hormone-related anxiety. Our tailored approach ensures that each patient receives a treatment plan based on their unique hormonal profile, because mental wellbeing is not one-size-fits-all.
We specialise in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) and personalised hormone health treatment and are the UKs’s leading bioidentical hormone clinic having pioneered this highly effective treatment as an alternative to traditional HRT.
Our approach includes:
- Comprehensive hormone testing
- In-depth consultation with one of our hormone specialists
- Tailored treatment plans, including BHRT and lifestyle changes
- Ongoing care and check-ins to monitor your progress
Ready to take control of your anxiety and hormone health?
Book an online consultation with one of our expert hormone doctors today and begin your journey to feeling better.
