Dark thoughts. Mood swings. Increased anxiety. If this describes how you often feel before your period you may just write it off as PMS. However, if you’ve been diagnosed with depression or another mental illness you should be aware of how hormone levels can affect your mental health during your premenstrual period and even during menopause.

In a study by the National Institute of Mental Health, 64 percent of women participating who suffered from depression reported that their symptoms worsen during their premenstrual period.

Hormonal imbalance has also been connected to postnatal or postpartum depression.

Furthermore, another study found that even women with little anxiety before menopause were likely to report high anxiety symptoms during early or late menopause.

Low levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone may cause anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder to worsen.

Signs and symptoms you should be aware of include

• lack of energy
• feeling very low or unexplainably tearful
• not wanting to get out of bed or to be around family and friends
• changes in eating habits
• drastic mood swings
• disturbed sleeping habits.

If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or depression hormonal balance treatments may lessen the severity.

However, hormonal replacement therapy is not meant to replace medication you have been prescribed for mental illness. If you start hormonal replacement therapy DO NOT stop taking your other medication. Hormonal replacement is to be taken in combination with your mental health regimen.

Call your MiBella team today to schedule an appointment to discuss your hormonal replacement therapy options.