We often attribute stress, anxiety, and sleeplessness to work, family worries, &/or life in general, but did you know that your hormones could be partially to blame? Our hormones directly affect our anxiety levels. And it’s not just progesterone — a number of hormones can influence how stressed you’re feeling on any particular day, regardless of whether you have a uterus or not. Understanding the way in which the different hormone types interact with our moods and overall health and wellness is important for proper hormone optimization.
Optimizing Each Hormone Type At Happy Hormone Cottage
Our experts specialize in hormone optimization for enhanced health and wellness. Come and see us at our Happy Hormone Cottage. Invest in our cutting edge testing for hormone balance, adrenal health, and full thyroid function. Then, meet with our medical personnel to go over the results, but most importantly to develop strategies that are actionable and results-driven. We are specially equipped to handle all conditions involving the different hormone types.
Our programs are patient-tailored and based on your individual needs. We are known for the support we provide for the men and women who trust us with their most important possession- their health. Whether you suffer from low estrogen, low testosterone, or a thyroid disorder our experts have solutions. Additionally, it’s important to understand the delicate balance that exists between hormones types and the body:
Thyroid: Mood and Energy Regulator
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in your lower neck that plays a powerful role in keeping your brain and body healthy. This gland regulates how your body uses energy, and it also has a strong impact on the brain because it controls the production of many neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, and GABA. Problems occur when thyroid dysfunction causes the gland to produce too little hormone (hypothyroidism) or too much hormone (hyperthyroidism).
Estrogen: The Mood Modulator
Estrogen is one of the primary hormone types involved in a woman’s menstrual cycle. When estrogen levels are healthy and balanced, it helps optimize neurotransmitter production and brain function so you feel good all month long. When estrogen levels are out of balance, it causes problems.
Too much estrogen in relation to progesterone: This can lead to a condition called estrogen dominance. This causes the gentle monthly hormonal rise and fall to turn into a series of intense spikes and dramatic drop-offs that disrupt important brain processes and make you anxious and irritable.
Too little estrogen: This leads to feeling depressed and confused. The loss of estrogen also hinders critical thinking, short-term memory, and other cognitive functions. These problems can worsen during perimenopause when estrogen levels can fluctuate wildly and during menopause when the hormone drops and stays low
Progesterone: Nature’s Joy of Life Hormone
Progesterone is the other major hormone type in a woman’s monthly cycle. It affects the brain in the following ways:
- Supports GABA, which helps the brain relax
- Protects your nerves
- Supports the myelin that “insulates” and protects neurons
When progesterone is in balance with estrogen, it calms you, brings feelings of peacefulness, and promotes sleep. But when they are imbalanced or when the relaxation hormone drops too dramatically, calmness gives way to irritability, anxiety, depression, sleepless nights, and brain fog. For some women, when progesterone and estrogen plummet right before menstruation starts, mood stability goes out the window.
Testosterone: Moods, Motivation, and More
Most people associate testosterone with men. It’s true that this vital hormone drives the development of the male brain. Additionally, it is responsible for the deep voice, facial hair, and many other features we associate with maleness. But women produce and need testosterone too (just as men have some estrogen), just in smaller amounts.
In both men and women, testosterone helps protect the nervous system and wards off depression, cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease. The aging process, however, leaves some men with low testosterone levels that can increase symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as a host of other issues.
You Deserve To Live Your Best Life – Optimize Your Hormones Today!
Our specialists at Happy Hormone Cottage are here to support you. With expert knowledge of the different hormone types, our team is equipped to provide patients with the relief they seek. We are now offering zoom video conferencing and telephone conferencing appointments. Schedule a zoom video conference or a phone conference appointment by calling our office at 513-444-6343.
