Anxiety disrupts your life, making you worry constantly about things you know you cannot control. Intellectually, you realize this nervousness is pointless, but “calming down” is not a mode to which you can simply switch. One of your worries may concern the agitation and your mental state – is a mental disorder to blame?
While it is crucial to undergo a physical examination, it is also likely that hormones, not your mind per se, are at the root of your anxiety.
The good news is that natural bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can relieve anxiety and help you feel well again. Unlike standard hormone replacement therapy, bioidentical hormones are derived from plant sources and are molecularly identical to the hormones produced by the body.
Most women know that menopause may cause hot flashes and night sweats, but they do not realize that lower levels of estrogen and progesterone can result in anxiety and/or depression. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, individually created for each woman, eases various menopausal side effects.
A three-year University of Texas study showed that menopausal women receiving bioidentical hormone replacement therapy transdermally – via a skin patch – experienced “significant relief” from anxiety and scored well on standardized tests measuring anxiety and depression. No adverse effects were noted in the participants over the three year period.
Menopause is not the only hormone-related cause of anxiety. People with thyroid imbalances may suffer anxiety, depression and panic attacks. These symptoms generally occur when too much thyroid hormone is produced by the thyroid glands, a condition known as hyperthyroidism.
However, too little thyroid hormone production, or hypothyroidism, can also result in anxiety, moodiness and other emotional disorders.
Thyroid imbalances are most pronounced at times of life when hormonal changes happen. These include:
Diagnosing thyroid imbalances consists of a simple blood test. Once the thyroid disorder is identified, treatment can begin. Thyroid imbalances affect many parts of the body, so along with anxiety relief such treatment may result in a greater ability to concentrate and healthier hair, skin and nails.
Levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, decline with age in both men and women. Low levels of this common hormone may produce anxiety, along with fatigue and basic uneasiness.
While DHEA supplements are available over-the-counter, it is not wise to take such supplements without a doctor’s supervision. It is important to get your DHEA levels just right, as too much DHEA in the body can cause side effects just as too little of the hormone can prove problematic.
If you suffer from anxiety and want to know if bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may help, call the office of Dr. Edward Jacobson today and arrange a consultation.