---
title: Why do women get more anxious when hormone levels drop? | Niyora
description: Falling estrogen and progesterone levels may trigger anxiety and mood disorders by affecting how brain receptors that control anxiety and mood work. The exact
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menopause-and-anxiety-focus-on-steroidal-hormones-and-gabaa-receptor-2000/
---

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- Why do women get more anxious when hormone levels drop?

Survey study, 2000

# Why do women get more anxious when hormone levels drop?

Falling estrogen and progesterone levels may trigger anxiety and mood disorders by affecting how brain receptors that control anxiety and mood work. The exact mechanism is not yet fully understood.

 Early or limited evidence

Women during menopause and other reproductive transitions

## What they did

A review article discussing how ovarian hormones affect anxiety and mood during menopause and at other times of hormone change, such as the premenstrual phase and postpartum period.

## What they found

Around 35% of women seek medical help for menopausal symptoms. Anxiety, forgetfulness, depressed mood, sleep problems, and other symptoms are common when ovarian hormone levels drop, including during premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, postpartum blues, and menopause. Progesterone metabolites have anxiety-reducing properties. Ovarian hormones appear to act as calming agents in specific brain regions.

## What it means for you

The hormone drops that happen before your period, after birth, or at menopause may cause anxiety because hormones help keep mood and anxiety stable. However, the exact biological mechanism is not proven, and this is a review discussing existing ideas rather than presenting new evidence.

35%

Of women seek medical help for menopausal symptoms

## About the study

Original title [Menopause and anxiety: focus on steroidal hormones and GABAA receptor] Authors Toriizuka K, Mizowaki M, Hanawa T Journal Nihon yakurigaku zasshi. Folia pharmacologica Japonica Year 2000 Study design Survey study What was tested None. Theoretical review article. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1254/fpj.115.21](https://doi.org/10.1254/fpj.115.21)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Epilepsy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-epilepsy/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Review, 2003

How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD?

Survey study, 2011

Why do some women experience negative mood with hormone changes?

Cohort study, 2010

How do anxiety disorders differ across different life stages?

Randomised trial, 2009

Does a hormone called allopregnanolone calm the body's startle reaction in PMDD?

Review, 2014

Are mental health problems linked to gynecological conditions like PMS and PMDD?

Survey study, 2012

What non-hormonal medications and therapies help severe PMS and PMDD?

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