Hormones play a major role in regulating mood, and fluctuations in hormone levels can lead to mood swings. Here's how they’re linked:
1. Hormonal Fluctuations
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Estrogen and progesterone (mainly in women) fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause, which can affect brain chemicals like serotonin—known for stabilizing mood.
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Testosterone (primarily in men, but also in women) can influence mood, energy, and irritability when levels are too low or high.
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Thyroid hormones help regulate metabolism and energy. Imbalances (like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism) often come with mood symptoms like depression or anxiety.
2. Stress Hormones
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Cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, increases during stress. Chronic high levels can lead to anxiety, irritability, and even depression.
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Imbalances in cortisol can also disrupt sleep, which then affects mood further.
3. Blood Sugar and Insulin
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Hormones that regulate blood sugar (like insulin) can cause emotional highs and lows when blood sugar is unstable, leading to symptoms like irritability, fatigue, or agitation.
4. Neurotransmitter Interaction
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Hormones influence the production and regulation of neurotransmitters (like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA), which directly affect how we feel emotionally.