For many women, mood swings, anxiety, and emotional ups and downs can feel like an unavoidable part of life. But what often goes unseen is the powerful role that hormones play in shaping mental health. From puberty to menopause, women undergo constant hormonal shifts that can significantly impact how they feel, think, and cope with stress. While emotions are often brushed off as ‘just hormones’, the connection between hormones and mental health is real, complex and backed by science.
How Hormones Affect Women’s Mental Health
The Hormone-Mind Connection
Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate everything from sleep and metabolism to mood and memory. The primary female hormones – oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone (yes, women have it too)—fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. These shifts can influence brain chemistry, especially levels of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA—neurotransmitters linked to mood and emotional regulation.
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