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Estrogen plays a major role in womens health, including mental health.
The endocrine system is charged with regulating estrogen’s ebb and flow.
Estrogens impact onmoodis complex because there are so many other factors that come into play.
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Still, we know that beginning in puberty, estrogen has a big impact on women’s emotional health.
What Happens If Estrogen Is Low?
Estrogen becomes low naturally at various points during a womans life.
“Brain fog” and other cognitive issues are associated with low estrogen too.
Although these things can have other causes, estrogen is one major factor that could come into play.
What Happens When Estrogen Is High?
Just like with low estrogen, high estrogen can cause issues too.
High estrogen levels relative to progesterone are known as estrogen dominance in the naturopathic community.
Some clinicians feel this can contribute to mood changes.
What Is Estrogens Impact on the Brain?
In addition, estrogen can modify the production and effect of endorphins and even have neuroprotective effects.
Doctors and researchers continue to work to unravel this complexity.
Estrogen and Mood
Weve already gone over how estrogen impacts mood in general.
Now lets look at some specific syndromes and disorders.
These symptoms are usually significant enough to impact school, work, or other daily activities.
These can include feeling blue, feelingirritable, feeling depressed, and feeling an increase in ones anxiety.
Youre more irritable, you might be angry, you might be moredepressed, more anxious.
On the other hand, PMDD may run in the family.
We know that estrogen levels decline postpartum, especially with breastfeeding, Patel notes.
Depression That Occurs During Perimenopause
Perimenopause happens during the years leading up to menopause.
These hormonal shifts can be associated with fluctuations in mood too.
University of Rochester Medical Center Health Encyclopedia.Low Estrogen Levels in Menopause.
