The Link between Hormonal Changes and Anxiety
Since the body’s stress response can go into overdrive during perimenopause, anxiety during this phase often comes in the form of panic attacks. Different women may experience panic attacks differently, but certain symptoms are very common:
- A feeling of intense fear or impending doom
- Shaking or trembling
- Fast breathing and chest tightness
- Nausea or upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Tingling
The Link between Hormonal Changes and Anxiety
Panic attacks can be terrifying, but are usually quite harmless to your body and mind. But stress and anxiety can manifest in other ways, too. As hormonal imbalance breeds stress, and stress perpetuates hormonal imbalance, you may feel a range of other physical symptoms, like:
- Nervous energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Worry
- Irritability
- Forgetfulness
Stress is also directly connected to certain menopausal symptoms. For instance, women with high levels of stress are five times more likely to report hot flashes than those living with less stress. Chronic stress and anxiety can lead to other serious conditions, too, like chronic headaches and high blood pressure. In fact, experts estimate that stress is behind 50% to 60% of all medical issues.
How Stress Builds in Menopause
Although hormone levels even out after you’ve transitioned into menopause, other factors can begin to feed anxiety once physical symptoms start to appear. After all, you are dealing with a life-changing transition that forces you to adapt to a new state, and perhaps a new lifestyle. Between the discomfort, fatigue, introspection, and all of your regular daily duties, it’s no surprise that many women struggle with stress.
