Hormone Waves: Navigating Women’s Emotional Tides
Kavita Bhavsar
July 2024
Hormones play a significant role in women’s mental health. These secretions influence mood, emotions, and overall psychological well-being. They occur throughout various stages of a woman’s life, including the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum period, and menopause. These phases bring distinctive challenges, ones that can profoundly affect mental health. Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing effective strategies to support women’s mental health across different life stages.
The menstrual cycle is a prominent period of hormonal fluctuation in women. Monthly, estrogen and progesterone levels change. This can lead to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or even premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) [3]. PMDD is a more severe form of PMS, causing both emotional and physiological symptoms [3]. There are distinguishing factors between the two. In PMDD, one or more of these symptoms can stand out: sadness or hopelessness, anxiety or tension, extreme moodiness, marked irritability, or anger [3]. These cyclical changes significantly impact a woman’s quality of life on a day-to-day basis.
Pregnancy is another critical period of hormonal change that can influence mental health. During pregnancy, women experience dramatic increases in estrogen and progesterone, like the menstrual cycle [5]. These hormonal changes are necessary for maintaining a healthy pregnancy. However, they can also contribute to mood swings, anxiety, and depression [5]. Prenatal depression and anxiety are common, however are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Mental health support during pregnancy is necessary for the well-being of both the mother and child.
In the postpartum period, the time after childbirth is marked by a sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone, which accounts for the “baby blues” or postpartum depression (PPD) that many mothers face [6]. PPD affects many new mothers, causing feelings of sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion [6]. These symptoms can severely interfere with their ability to care for themselves and their babies. Postpartum psychosis (PPP), though less common, can also occur in new mothers. PPP refers to hallucinations and delusions and it can cause intense fear and anxiety and requires immediate medical intervention [6]. Supporting new mothers with resources can help them navigate postpartum mental health challenges.
Another wave of hormonal changes arrives upon menopause, the stage marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years. The decline in estrogen and progesterone levels during menopause can lead to symptoms such as mood swings, depression, and anxiety [5]. Menopausal women may also experience cognitive changes. These include memory lapses and difficulties concentrating [2]. There are a few treatments that can help manage these symptoms, like hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which focuses on replacing the estrogen that your body no longer makes after menopause [1]. Along with these kinds of treatments, it is vital to provide psychological support and counseling to address the emotional aspects of menopause.
Hormonal changes play a pivotal role in shaping women’s mental health across different stages of life. From the menstrual cycle to menopause, these fluctuations can lead to various mental health challenges. By recognizing the impact of hormonal changes and providing appropriate support and treatment, we can help women navigate these changes more effectively and help their overall mental health and well-being. Facing the mental health needs of women during these critical periods head-on is essential for ensuring they can sustain a good quality of life.
References
[1] Hormone therapy: Is it right for you? (2022, December 6). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-therapy/ar t-20046372
[2] Introduction to menopause. (2024, March 18). Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/introduction-to-menopa use#:~:text=During%20this%20transition%20time%20before,of%20the%20symptoms% 20of%20menopause.
[3] Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: Different from PMS? (2024, January 19). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premenstrual-syndrome/expert-answers/ pmdd/faq-20058315#:~:text=Premenstrual%20dysphoric%20disorder%20(PMDD)%20is ,daily%20life%20and%20damage%20relationships.
[4]Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.). Postpartum psychosis. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24152-postpartum-psychosis#:~:text=Postpartum%20psychosis%20(PPP)%20is%20a%20condition%20that%20disrupts%20your%2 0sense,of%20this%20mental%20health%20condition.
[5] The Healthline Editorial Team. (2017, August 29). What bodily changes can you expect during pregnancy? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/bodily-changes-during#:~:text=Hormonal %20changes%20during%20pregnancy,a%20number%20of%20other%20hormon [6] What happens to your hormones after birth? (2023, March 2). https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/healthu/2023/03/02/what-happens-to-your hormones-after-birth#:~:text=Hormonal%20Changes%20After%20Birth&text=Estrogen %20and%20progesterone%20decrease%2C%20which,hormone%20responsible%20for% 20lactation%E2%80%94increases.
