The connection between mood swings, anxiety, and hormones

Many women experience mental health symptoms that others often view as stress or lifestyle issues. However, hormonal imbalances might actually be the root cause. 

Changes in hormone levels can affect conditions like anxiety, depression, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Understanding this connection is essential for identifying and addressing these health problems.

Our latest survey highlights the extent of the issue:

• 93% of women reported feeling dismissed when seeking medical help
• 50% experienced anxiety, depression, or mood changes
• 55% reported brain fog or trouble concentrating
• 48% suffered from chronic fatigue or exhaustion 

Given how common these symptoms are, why do so many women struggle to get the right diagnosis and support?

In this article, we cover:

• How hormones affect mental health
• Why mental health symptoms are often dismissed
• Are my hormones affecting my mood?

How hormones affect mental health

Hormones regulate many essential functions, including mood, cognition, and stress responses. Changes in important hormones can greatly affect emotional wellbeing. 

Stress hormones, such as cortisol, can make the situation worse. Hormonal imbalances may contribute to mood disorders, anxiety, and even depressive disorders, affecting how a person feels and behaves.

Some of the most important hormones influencing mental health include:

• Oestrogen and progesterone – These hormones influence serotonin, the feel-good chemical in the brain. Low oestrogen levels can happen during perimenopause or the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. This can cause increased anxiety, mood swings, and even depression.
• Thyroid hormones – An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can lead to tiredness, low mood, and brain fog. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) is connected to anxiety and restlessness.
• Cortisol (the stress hormone) – Chronic stress can lead to persistently high cortisol levels, which contribute to anxiety, irritability, and burnout. Prolonged stress can dysregulate the entire hormonal system, worsening symptoms of depression and fatigue.
• Testosterone – Although often overlooked in women’s health, low testosterone has been linked to reduced motivation, fatigue, and mood disturbances, particularly in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women [2].

Why mental health symptoms are often dismissed

Despite the clear link between hormones and mental health, many women struggle to have their symptoms taken seriously. 

This delay can be down to:

• Symptom overlap – Mental health symptoms caused by hormonal imbalances often mimic anxiety and depression or other health conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, leading to misdiagnoses.
• Lack of routine hormone testing – Many women experiencing mood disturbances are prescribed antidepressants without a full assessment of their hormone levels.
• Persistent gender bias in healthcare – Research shows that women’s pain and symptoms are more likely to be dismissed as psychological rather than physiological [5].

We explain more of this in our blog, feeling dismissed?

Are my hormones affecting my mood?

If you suspect your mood swings, anxiety, or low energy are linked to your hormones, there are steps you can take to get the right support:

1. Check your hormone levels

Blood tests can assess key hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid function, and cortisol. If you’ve been experiencing mood swings, anxiety, or fatigue, checking your hormone levels could help uncover an underlying hormonal imbalance. 

Our Advanced Female Hormone Blood Test provides a comprehensive insight into your hormonal health.

2. Support your mental health naturally

While medical support is essential, lifestyle changes can help regulate hormones and improve mood:

• Exercise regularly – Physical activity boosts endorphins, reduces cortisol, and improves insulin sensitivity.

• Prioritise sleep – Poor sleep quality disrupts hormone balance and contributes to mood instability.

• Manage stress – Techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing can lower cortisol levels and improve emotional wellbeing.

• Eat for hormonal health – A nutrient-dense diet rich in omega-3s, magnesium, and B vitamins supports brain function and hormone production.

3. Get the right medical support

If you’re struggling with ongoing symptoms like anxiety and depression, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. Speak to a healthcare professional about testing your hormone levels and exploring treatment options beyond standard antidepressants.

If you are found to have persistently abnormal hormone levels, you may need support from a specialist in women's health or endocrinology. They can help you manage hormonal changes that affect your mood.

Testing your female hormones

Women should not have to wait years for answers about their health. Our data shows that only 7% of women got a diagnosis in less than six months. This leaves many suffering in silence. 

Our don't shh me campaign aims to raise awareness about women's health issues. We want to make hormone testing easier to get. That is why we have lowered the price of our Advanced Female Hormone Blood Test.

If you’re tired of feeling unheard, join us. Share your story, get tested, and join the movement to change how people understand and treat women’s health. Together, we can ensure that no woman’s symptoms are ignored.

References

1. Studd, J., & Panay, N. (2004). Hormones and depression in women. Climacteric, 7(4), 338-346.
2. Davis, S. R., et al. (2019). Global consensus position statement on the use of testosterone therapy for women. Climacteric, 22(5), 429-434.
3. Craft, L. L., & Perna, F. M. (2004). The benefits of exercise for the clinically depressed. Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 6(3), 104-111.
4. Dayan, C. M., & Panicker, V. (2009). Hypothyroidism and depression. European Thyroid Journal, 4(Suppl 2), 3-9.
5. Hamberg, K. (2008). Gender bias in medicine. Women's Health, 4(3), 237-243.
6. Kudielka, B. M., & Kirschbaum, C. (2005). Sex differences in HPA axis responses to stress: A review. Biological Psychology, 69(1), 113-132.
7. Leone, A., et al. (2020). Nutritional strategies to optimize brain function. Nutrients, 12(5), 1239.
8. Medic, G., et al. (2017). Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption. Nature and Science of Sleep, 9, 151-161