Why Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Affects Women At Higher Rates 

You’ve probably heard of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and how it influences your mental and physical health. If you haven’t, SAD most typically occurs during the fall and winter months, when days are short, dark, and cold, triggering bouts of depression or chronic fatigue. What you may not know is that this condition disproportionately affects women, and female-dominant hormones play a significant role.

The team at the Happy Hormone Cottage specializes in diagnosing and treating hormonal imbalances, along with a range of functional health and well-being services. Our goal is to help our patients achieve optimal health through hormone therapy, functional medicine, and early intervention with genetic testing.

Seasonal Affective Disorder and Its Link To Female Hormones

Studies show women are between two and four times more likely than men to experience SAD. This disparity suggests that a key element of female biology may lead to the development and intensity of seasonal affective disorder.

Evidence suggests the two most likely influences are estrogen and progesterone, both ovarian hormones. Together, these hormones control menstruation and fertility, as well as mood and metabolism.

Changes in estrogen and progesterone can affect women’s circadian rhythm, affecting sleep patterns, energy levels, and day-to-day mood. During the fall and winter, reduced sunlight exposure lowers Vitamin D levels, which are needed to regulate estrogen. Shorter days change sleep cycles, which increases melatonin, suppressing ovarian activity and affecting both progesterone and estrogen. These effects are often offset in the summer months due to more time spent outside, more regular exercise, and other stress-relieving, depression-fighting activities.

Signs and symptoms of SAD may include:

• Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Having low energy
• Having problems with sleeping
• Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
• Feeling sluggish or agitated
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
• Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide (Contact a crisis clinic, 911, or a mental health provider right away if you are actively considering hurting themself or others)

How Hormone Therapy Helps Fight Seasonal Affective Disorder

At Happy Hormone Cottage, we help women rebalance their hormone profiles to achieve optimal health. Improved estrogen and progesterone levels promote better sleep, stabilize mood, reduce anxiety, and allow the body to better regulate serotonin and GABA, which are needed for a peaceful emotional state. We help our patients in 5 easy steps:

1. Learn the importance of hormone balance during a consultation with us.
2. Purchase a Precision Analytical DUTCH hormone test kit and send your kit to the lab.
3. One of our nurse practitioners will review your results and discuss them in person or via Zoom.
4. Our Integrative Hormone Center and Pharmacy will compound your prescribed hormones.
5. We will contact you when your prescription is ready.

Hormone Therapy Available in Centerville, Ohio

If you would like to learn more about hormone therapy, reach out to the specialists at the Happy Hormone Cottage for more information. Take the first step towards a healthier, more balanced life by meeting with a member of our team, and start your hormone recovery journey today!

Call us at (513) 444-6343, Option 1 to speak with a member of our team, or schedule a consultation online.