At our Green Cove Springs hormone replacement clinic, we talk to people every day who feel like they’re stuck in an emotional fog - anxiety, depression, mood swings, or just feeling
unlike themselves. What many don’t realize is that their mental health struggles could be connected to their hormones. As we often talk about in functional medicine, our entire body is connected. This includes hormones, our diet, our lifestyle, and of course our mental health. The connection between your mental health and your hormones is a powerful one, and one worth learning more about if you’re seeking answers for mood swings and coming up short.
How Hormones Influence Mental Health
Your hormones act like chemical messengers, constantly sending signals that affect your mood, energy levels, and even how you respond to stress. When your hormones are balanced, life feels easier and we tend to be able to bob and weave so-to-speak much more easily as our day throws various obstacles at us. But when they’re not? Mental health symptoms can emerge, including anxiety, depression, irritability, and brain fog.
So, what are the biggest hormones playing a role in mental health?
1. Estrogen & Progesterone: The Mood Regulators
- Estrogen plays a key role in serotonin production (a.k.a. the “feel-good” neurotransmitter). When estrogen drops - like naturally during perimenopause, menopause, or even certain points in your menstrual cycle - your serotonin levels can take a hit. This can lead to mood swings, depression, and other mental health symptoms.
- Progesterone has a calming effect, almost like nature’s built-in anti-anxiety hormone. But when it’s too low, stress and irritability can creep in.
If you ever feel extra emotional before your period, that is often the estrogen-progesterone shift in action! The role of estrogen in mood regulation is well-documented, with studies from
Harvard Medical School highlighting how estrogen supports serotonin production, directly impacting mood and emotional stability.
2. Cortisol: The Stress Hormone
- Cortisol spikes when we’re stressed, which is great if you’re running from a bear, but not so great if you’re just trying to get through your daily to-do list.
- Chronic high cortisol levels can lead to anxiety, sleep issues, and even depression.
- On the flip side, if cortisol gets too low (often after long-term stress or burnout), you might feel exhausted, unmotivated, and emotionally drained.
If you’re constantly wired but tired, or if stress feels impossible to handle, your cortisol levels might need some attention! Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels have been linked to increased anxiety and depression, according to research from the
National Institutes of Health (NIH). Managing stress through lifestyle changes and hormone balance can significantly improve mental well-being.
3. Thyroid Hormones: The Energy Drivers
- Your thyroid is responsible for regulating metabolism, energy, and - you guessed it - mood.
- When thyroid hormones are too low (hypothyroidism), you may experience depression, fatigue, and brain fog.
- When they’re too high (hyperthyroidism), it can lead to anxiety, restlessness, and even panic attacks.
If your mood swings come with unexplained weight changes, sluggishness, or rapid heartbeats, your thyroid might be one of the culprits. According to the
Mayo Clinic, hypothyroidism can lead to symptoms such as depression, fatigue, and weight gain, highlighting the importance of thyroid hormone regulation in mental health.
4. Testosterone: The Confidence Hormone
- Yes, women have testosterone, too! It plays a key role in motivation, mental clarity, and mood stability.
- Low testosterone can leave you feeling unmotivated, fatigued, or even depressed - a common issue as both men and women age.
If your drive and energy feel non-existent, it might be worth checking your testosterone levels. A meta-analysis published in the journal
Frontiers in Psychiatry found a significant association between serum testosterone levels and depression in women, suggesting that deviations in testosterone levels may be linked to depressive symptoms.
What Can You Do to Support Hormonal & Mental Well-Being?
Okay, so now we know which hormones are the common instigators wreaking havoc on mental health. But, we promise there’s good news! There are ways to bring them back into balance. Here’s where to start:
1. Get Your Hormones Tested
If you suspect your hormones are affecting your mood, the first step is getting tested. A thorough hormone evaluation can reveal imbalances and let us know what we’re dealing with, so that we can help you find a solution and a plan that works for YOU. You can learn more about our hormone testing and treatment options by
Scheduling a Consult!
2. Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
For many people struggling with hormone-related mood swings,
hormone replacement therapy can be life-changing. Whether it’s balancing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, or thyroid hormones, our hormone replacement clinic offers personalized treatment plans to help you feel like yourself again.
Explore our HRT services here.
3. Nourish Your Body with the Right Foods
Your gut health and hormones are closely linked, so
what you eat matters.
- Include: Leafy greens, healthy fats (avocados, nuts, olive oil), lean proteins, and fermented foods for gut health.
- Avoid: Processed foods, excessive caffeine, and sugar—these can spike cortisol and lead to energy crashes.
Check out our
Gut Health Services to learn how diet plays a role in hormonal balance.
4. Move Your Body in the Best Way for your Hormones
Not all workouts are equal when it comes to hormones! Too much high-intensity exercise can spike cortisol, while strength training and low-impact movement can help balance hormones. If you're not sure where to start, read our
recent blog post on the best workouts for hormone health!
5. Prioritize Sleep & Stress Management
- We know. This is a tough one for many. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night (poor sleep = poor hormone regulation). Even if you start with baby steps, your body and your hormones will thank you!
- Try relaxation techniques like meditation, breathwork, or yoga to help support healthy cortisol levels.
- Consider
IV Hydration Therapy for extra support - nutrient deficiencies can impact mental health, and IV therapy can give your body an extra boost. Learn more about our IV therapy.
Let’s Get You Feeling Like Yourself Again
If you’ve been feeling off - whether it’s unexplained anxiety, brain fog, irritability, or just not feeling like yourself - it might be time to check in on your hormones. At our functional medicine office right
outside of Jacksonville, we take a whole-body approach to help you regain balance, improve your mood, and feel energized again!
Schedule a consultation today, and let’s create a plan that helps you get back to YOU!
