You know how hormones can affect your body, but do you know how they can affect your mental health?
With balanced hormones, it’s far easier to keep your emotions in check. And out-of-balance hormones can wreak havoc on your mental state!
So, which hormones can specifically affect your mental health, and how can you get them in balance? Well, it will be different for everyone, which is why we practice functional medicine.
We want to ensure we get to the root cause of any issues that could be affecting your mental well-being. Then we provide a personalized treatment plan to optimize all areas of your health.
That being said, let’s take a closer look at how hormones affect mental health.
How Hormones Affect Mental Health
Here are five specific hormones that directly affect mental health:
- Cortisol: Known as the “stress hormone,” cortisol is released in response to stress. This stress response is necessary in the short term. However, high levels of cortisol over a long period can lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances.
- Thyroid Hormones (T3 and T4): Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can lead to a mood imbalance. Hypothyroidism is often associated with depression. Hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety, irritability, and mood swings.
- Estrogen: This hormone plays a critical role in mood regulation. Fluctuations in estrogen levels can contribute to PMS, PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), postpartum depression, and perimenopausal depression.
- Progesterone: Progesterone has a calming effect on the brain. Low levels of progesterone can lead to anxiety and mood swings.
- Testosterone: Low levels of testosterone in men can contribute to depression, irritability, and a lack of motivation.
Signs to Watch For
The first step to figuring out if your hormones may be affecting your mental health is to recognize the signs. Here are some common ones:
- Persistent Mood Swings
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability and Anger
- Fatigue
- Sleep Problems
- Changes in Appetite or Weight
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Memory Issues
- Reduced Libido
Of course, other factors can also cause these symptoms, like stress, lifestyle choices, and other health conditions.
That’s why it’s vital to identify exactly what’s causing your symptoms so we can properly treat that root cause.
We treat you as a whole person, not just a group of symptoms.
Our Functional Medicine Approach
We take a broader view than only prescribing a pill to treat a mental health issue. While medicine can be vital to treat acute symptoms, we that often it’s not enough to restore a person to vibrant health.
So much can be in play in whole body — and mind — wellness.
Our functional medicine approach includes spending a lot of time with you to learn about your condition and any symptoms.
It also includes personalized lab testing to check for imbalances. This testing also checks for other markers to determine your state of health, goals, and risk factors for disease.
Your personalized program may include bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). This treatment can help balance hormones and ease symptoms related to mood swings, depression, and anxiety.
We may also include nutritional or vitamin supplements to support hormone balance.
What You Can Do to Support Your Mental Health
Here are some specific things you can do right now to support hormone balance and mental health:
- Nutrition: Eat a diet rich in whole foods, with an emphasis on vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats. This type of diet can support hormone balance. Specific nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, can improve mood and reduce inflammation.
- Physical Activity: Get regular exercise to help regulate hormones like insulin, cortisol, and sex hormones. Regulating these hormones can improve your mood and reduce stress.
- Sleep: Work on getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep at night. Poor sleep can affect the production of cortisol, insulin, and sex hormones.
- Stress Management: Techniques like meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness can reduce stress and help regulate cortisol levels.
Contact our New Patient Coordinator for More Information
When many patients come to see us, they have lost hope because they’ve felt unwell for so long and don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.
It’s rewarding as a practitioner to help so many people realize a much better “normal” and a regained sense of vitality!
Your improved health starts with a complimentary phone consultation. Our New Patient Coordinator is happy to speak with you anytime M-F 9-5.
She will take the time to answer your questions, explain our protocols and fees, and help you make an informed decision about whether we are the right fit for you.
Please call to get more information about how our clinic and Dr. Berutti or Melanie Martin, PA, can help you with your health goals.
We look forward to the opportunity to restore your health and regain your vitality for life!
Call our New Patient Coordinator to get all your questions answered.
817-539-6168
Or fill in the inquiry form below and tell us the best way to reach you.
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