Your hormones impact almost every aspect of the body, even hormones and mental health. One place where they can leave a mark at any age is one’s mental health. If you do not understand the effect hormones can have on mental health, it can be helpful to observe possible changes to have something to relate it to if you begin to notice one of the impacts. By seeing a hormone specialist, they can advise you on the specific ways that hormones are impacting your health. At Chapel Hill Gynecology, our team is an excellent resource for learning more about hormones and mental health.
The Relationship Between Hormones and Mental Health
There Is A Direct Correlation
There is a direct correlation between your body’s hormones and your mental health. You can also feel these changes in other body areas when your hormones change throughout your life. The direct cause is a helpful body process when at the correct levels. The problem occurs when these levels change.
For example, when you look at a hormone such as cortisol, it is a direct cause of stress in the body that comes from the adrenal glands. Higher levels of cortisol mean a higher stress level. It is a required hormone to keep regulating areas of the body. However, mental health problems occur when the hormone levels are not as they should be.
Hormone Imbalance Can Lead To Depression and Anxiety
As you can see, when hormone levels are not balanced, real problems start to occur. Hormone imbalance can lead to depression and anxiety in people of any age. This is why it is essential to talk to a hormone specialist because people who start to encounter a mood disorder may not understand where the changes are coming from. If a hormone imbalance continues without medical attention, it can start to result in larger health complications.
There Are Many Causes Of Hormone Imbalance
Hormone imbalance does not always just happen. Your lifestyle can also play a significant role in this development. This can look like poor sleep, eating habits, existing medical conditions, and even exercise levels. Things such as diet can look different in men and women. For example, women can be impacted by levels of red meat, soy, and often dairy products. A hormone specialist can help you pinpoint the cause of your hormone imbalance to move forward with an effective treatment plan.
You Can Practice Healthy Habits
While the relationship between hormones and mental health can cause strain, there are healthy habits to incorporate to offset the effects of the hormones. Creating a consistent exercise routine is a great place to start. When you are exercising, it releases hormones that can be problematic if there are too many of them. Alongside that, endorphins increase, bringing joy to your body as well. Tying this with a healthy diet makes a significant lifestyle change that can help regulate these levels further. You can ensure you are getting the nutrients necessary for body function.
Once you have decided on diet and exercise, you can consider habits such as meditating and therapy to continue this positive change. Changing your sleep routine can also be highly beneficial to ensure your body gets enough rest.
The connection between hormones and mental health can cause large impacts if not understood and taken care of. Once you get a handle on the basics of the relationship, you can start to make the best changes for your specific case. Are you struggling with mental health issues and think it may be related to your hormones? It may be the best time to talk to a hormone specialist who can help you create a plan. Chapel Hill Gynecology is here to help. Check out our website or give us a call at (919) 960-2720 for more information.
