Quick Answer
Hormones can affect how anxious, irritable or low you feel. Thyroid problems, perimenopause, the menstrual cycle, low testosterone and long-term stress are some of the common links. Hormones are rarely the whole story, though, and mood symptoms deserve care in their own right. A medical evaluation can check for hormone-related causes while you also get support for how you are feeling.
Who this is for: adults noticing new or worsening anxiety, irritability or low mood who wonder whether hormones could be involved
How Hormones and Mood Interact
Hormones are chemical messengers that affect the brain, sleep, energy and the stress response. When they shift, some people notice changes in mood, worry or patience. Estrogen and progesterone, for example, interact with brain chemicals such as serotonin, which helps regulate mood.[1]
Mood symptoms usually have more than one cause. Genetics, life stress, sleep, health conditions and medications all play a part. A hormone link does not make symptoms any less real, and treating a hormone problem does not always resolve them.
Thyroid Problems
An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) is linked with anxiety, nervousness and feeling on edge. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is linked with low mood and ongoing exhaustion.[2]
Mood changes alone rarely point to a thyroid problem. Other clues often include weight changes, feeling too hot or too cold, bowel changes and menstrual changes. Treatment often improves mood symptoms too.[2] For more, see Understanding a Thyroid Panel.
Writing down how you feel each day can reveal patterns worth sharing with a provider.
Perimenopause and the Menstrual Cycle
Experts describe perimenopause as a “window of vulnerability” for depressive symptoms, even in women with no past history of depression.[3] Night sweats that disrupt sleep and the stress of midlife can add to this. For major depression in perimenopause, antidepressants and talk therapy remain first-line treatments.[3]
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a more serious form of PMS. It causes intense mood symptoms, such as anxiety, irritability or depression, in the one to two weeks before a period, which ease within a few days after bleeding starts. It affects up to 10% of people who menstruate.[1] Tracking symptoms over one or two cycles helps with diagnosis.[1]
Mood changes are more likely to be linked to perimenopause when they start in your 40s along with irregular periods, hot flashes or new sleep problems. Learn more in Perimenopause vs. Menopause.
Testosterone and Mood
In men, low testosterone may come with low energy, low motivation, irritability or a down mood. These symptoms are not specific, though. They overlap with depression, poor sleep and other conditions, so diagnosis relies on symptoms plus repeated morning blood tests.
Testosterone falls slowly with age, and only some men have levels low enough to cause symptoms. When low testosterone is confirmed, treating it may help energy and mood for some men, but it is not a substitute for depression care.
In women, testosterone’s role in mood is less clear and is still being studied.
Stress, Cortisol and Anxiety
When you are under stress, your body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. That response is normal and usually fades when the stressful situation ends. Ongoing stress or anxiety can affect sleep, digestion, the heart and other body systems, and it can raise the risk of anxiety disorders or depression.[4]
Helpful steps include regular exercise, steady meals and sleep, limiting caffeine and leaning on supportive people. If stress or anxiety feels constant or is interfering with your life, talk therapy, medication or both can help.[4]
Rarely, conditions such as Cushing’s syndrome cause the body to make too much cortisol, which can affect mood, weight and blood pressure. These conditions need specific testing ordered by a provider.
How We Approach Mood and Hormones at Lake Forest Regenesis
Allana listens to how your mood, anxiety, sleep and energy have changed and whether symptoms follow a pattern, such as your menstrual cycle. She reviews your health history, medications and stress, and may order labs such as thyroid tests or hormone levels when they are likely to help. Hormone-related findings are treated alongside your mental health, not instead of it. When it fits your needs, she coordinates with or refers you to a therapist or psychiatrist.
When to See a Provider
If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911. Call 911 for chest pain, fainting or trouble breathing, even if you think it may be anxiety. Book a visit if anxiety, irritability or low mood lasts more than two weeks, interferes with work or relationships, or seems tied to your cycle, perimenopause or other physical symptoms.
Wondering whether hormones are part of how you’ve been feeling? Allana can review your symptoms and labs and help you build a plan that supports your mental health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blood test diagnose anxiety or depression?
No. Anxiety and depression are diagnosed through a conversation about your symptoms. Blood tests can help find conditions, such as thyroid problems, that may be contributing.
Can hormonal birth control affect mood?
It can. Some people notice mood changes on hormonal birth control, while others feel better, and some types are used to treat PMDD. Talk with your provider before stopping or switching.
If a hormone problem is found and treated, will my anxiety go away?
Sometimes symptoms improve a lot. Other times anxiety or low mood continues and needs its own treatment, such as therapy or medication.
Is it okay to see a therapist and get my hormones checked at the same time?
Yes. Working on both at once is often the most helpful approach, and it avoids delaying care while you wait for answers.
References
- Cleveland Clinic. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Read the article
- Mayo Clinic. Thyroid disease: can it affect a person’s mood? Read the article
- Maki PM, Kornstein SG, et al. Guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of perimenopausal depression: summary and recommendations. Journal of Women’s Health. 2018 (also published in Menopause). Read the guidance
- National Institute of Mental Health. I’m so stressed out! Fact sheet. Read the fact sheet
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.
