This post is an excerpt from “Get A Grip On Your Hormones!” To pre-order the book, to be published in October, 2009, click here.
You pull up to the grocery store, locate a parking space, but just as you put your car in “Park” and shut off the ignition, you’re overcome with a wave of heat. You develop a lump in your throat, your heart begins to race and you can’t seem to open the door to exit your car. Your lungs feel crushed and you wonder if you’re going to die, right there in the grocery store parking lot. Are you having a heart attack. Should you go to the emergency room?
Well, you may be having a heart attack, but if you’re a woman in her mid thirties-to-late-forties, you’re more likely having anxiety.
Hormonal Transitions Can Span Four (or more) Years
The hormonal transition to menopause begins, on average, four years before you actually stop menstruating. One of the first signs of these hormone transitions can be anxiety and panic attacks. The average age a woman ceases menstruating is 52 but some women experience the worst of their symptoms between ages 35 to 45.
Erratic Fluctuations in Hormone Levels During Transition
During the “pre-menopausal transition” your levels of estrogen and progesterone (the ovarian hormones) decline with each cycle. But they don’t decline in a nice, smooth, orderly fashion. Instead, it’s a herky-jerky ride down the hill. You can actually have dramatic hormone surges (very high levels of estrogen) while your ovaries are transitioning to menopause–think of these as “sun flares”. They are extremely high levels of hormones followed by “crashes”. It’s the crashes that can precipitate anxiety and panic attacks.
Hormones and Their Pre-Molecules Can Relieve Anxiety
Ovarian hormones and their precursors (estrogen, progesterone, and their building-block molecules) are natural “anxiolytics”. This means they naturally interact with the “anxiety-control” receptors in your brain (gaba-receptors) to keep your mood even, cope with stress, and prevent panic. Fluctuations of one molecule in particular, allopregnenalone, have been found to be crucial in triggering peri-menopausal mood swings, anxiety, and premenstrual syndrome.
External Factors (“Life”) Can Exacerbate Symptoms of Hormone Change
Anxiety in the peri-menopausal transition is often confounded by job factors and family changes. You may find you’re having more conflicts with your boss or employees–perhaps you are older or a different gender than them and this creates tension. Children may be growing up and leaving (or not) home. Your relationship with your spouse may be changing as your sexual and other interests evolve.
Sometimes anxiety causes “dysphoria”, an emotional state like a “funk”–this can be mis-diagnosed as “depression”.
You Can Manage Anxiety
So what can you do about peri-menopausal anxiety? First, talk to your health care provider because sometimes anxiety is severe enough it needs to be treated. There are many good treatments for anxiety. Untreated anxiety can lead to heart disease, depression, and a host of other health problems. So anxiety needs to be identified and taken seriously by both you and your health care provider.
Medications and Nutrition Support
Although hormonal changes can precipitate anxiety, hormones may or may not be the best thing to treat your anxiety, depending on the character and timing of your symptoms. There are cognitive (mental) techniques for managing anxiety as well as medications such as benzodiazepines and anti-depressants that work well for anxiety. Exercise, Vitamin D, and a B-Complex (plus a multi-vitamin) can support your body physically and mentally as you’re going “through the change”. Many women’s anxiety responds well to the cognitive techniques and paying attention to physical and mental health.
Peri-Menopause–More Than A Flash
So while hot flashes
have received a lot of “press” as the harbingers of “menopause”, many women experience anxiety long before hot flashes set in. This anxiety can be the first sign of peri-menopausal hormone transitions.
So while hot flashes have received a lot of “press” as the harbingers of “menopause”, many women experience anxiety long before hot flashes set in. This anxiety can be the first sign of peri-menopausal hormone transitions.
This post is an excerpt from “Get A Grip On Your Hormones!” To pre-order the book, to be published in May 2009, click here.
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi..I enjoyed the post. I am 53 and actually STILL peri-menopausal. I am much later than my friends. The cotton pony may skip a few visits… and even though shorter..sometimes…she’s still riding into town.
Is that alright? (I do have my yearly gyn exams and did in October.. but didn’t think to ask about being this long in peri-menopause)I’m glad because I figure I am still getting benefits of hormones. I don’t get hot flashes..thank GOD! I did have 5 since I was 44 with 2 bad ones out of five… and last one…which was on vacation summer 05 -that memorable.
Anxiety? ha..I can relate to that.
Hi SeaSpray, Thank you for your comment.
53 is on the longer side for the appearance of the cotton pony, but not all that unusual.
The average age for cessation of menses is 52–this means about half of women are older than 52 when the cotton pony stops visiting.
Other symptoms, e.g. anxiety, insomnia can begin long before and persist long after the cotton pony is gone.
Shelley
Thanks Shelly – I will be 54 in June.
I do hope I sail through without the hideous hot flashes some of my friends have. As I stated … mine have been minimal. But I will say… I used to sleep so well and easily and now I am lucky if I get 5 hrs uninterrupted. And I sleep restlessly. Thinking of getting melatonin.
Hi, I’m 47 (will be 48 in Nov) and for the first time I’m experiencing anxiety (started 2 months ago). I had a period in Aug 08 and 1 in Dec 08 and then nothing. My GYN put me on HRT three and a half weeks ago, but I’m still experiencing the anxiety. I’d trade the anxiety for hot flashes any day. Frankly, the anxiety scares the crud out of me. I get 2 semi good days (where I almost feel normal), 2 days of anxiety, a day and a half of anger and the other day and half are a grab bag. I’ve had a lot of job stress, family medical issues, refinance house all at the same time. Any advise? Thanks, Michele
have you looked at the posts on anxiety on this site?
Hi, I’ve never written anything on a website before never really even surfed the web but my first panic attack in May of this year changed that. I’m 38, always been even-keelled but now I feel like I’m going crazy and always on edge that some weird symptom is going to flare up. My symptoms include tingling in my scalp which progresses to just feeling flushed and hot on my face, palpitations…like my heart skipped a beat, and psychological/emotional fluctuations…I find these extremely disturbing. I might be driving along just fine and then suddenly I’m in a deep, almost angry, depression and it might last 30 minutes or 4 hours. I’ve had my FSH and estradiol levels checked. FSH slightly elevated, estradiol normal. My doctor tells me this means I am in early perimenopause and that it may last up to 10 years! Are there any supportive therapies I can look into? Thank You, Jes
Hello,
Im 56 years old and just starting peri menopausal I believe?
My question to you is it normal to have severe anxiety and then left with pain in neck back arms and also sever heart palapitations and then diminishes into the next episode
That could just be anxiety or it could be something more serious such as cardiac problems. I’d recommend seeing your doctor.
Hello
I have turned 50 in Septmeber. I lost my Mum last April and in July started having very unpleasant what seems to be perimenopause symptoms. My first heart palpitations/panic attack episode ended in ER where at least I learned that I did not suffer a heart attack. Since then I have been living with extreme anxiety symptoms convinced I’m about to die. My doctor put me on anti Depressants but wth the three that I tried the side effects were too bad so I stopped taking them. Some days are better than others but mostly I’m struggling to make sense of all of these and wondering when am I going to get less anxious.
Women should identify what is causing their personal life stressors and opt for a healthy lifestyle and exercise to increase blood circulation level and there are dietary or hormone supplements known for their safety and efficacy.
Women should also stop worrying about perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms because the more they worry the worst it gets. Take is easy because it’s a natural process every woman should go through and understanding the symptoms will definitely help you cope and adapt to it.
I’d also recommend seeing a doctor about any symptoms associated with perimenopause such as anxiety and panic attack especially if they are severe just to make sure it is not associated with other medical problems.
Regular exercise and eating healthy can help with many of the symptoms associated with menopause. Processed foods that are high in sodium or sugar should be eliminated completely from the diet. Replace these products with whole grain, low-fat, and low-sugar choices. Fresh fruits, vegetables, beans, oatmeal, and fish are healthy. Limit caffeine, alcoholic beverages, and sodas. Drink lots of water, and unsweetened fruit juices.
I am a 48 year old woamn who is certainly experiencing premenopausal anxiety. today specifically I have so much stiffness and tension in my neck that the back of my head starting going numb and then I could feel my heart racing and getting hot then cold. It scared me to the point I called my doctor and talked with them. My period comes once every 2 months and lasts only a day and a half. These episodes are so scary and I tend to get pretty worked up. I feel ike I am going crazy at times. But no depression.
I just want to be reassured there is nothing in my head going wrong. I am trying to go all natural to control these symptoms but today I just couldn’t. Anyone else fell this way?
i get them both hot flashes and sudden mood-swings/anxiety attacks. i turned 40 in february & believed i was in the clear since my ma didn’t have these symptoms. i need help as these mentioned symptoms only add to the dreamy 8 or so day long cycles filled with heavy cramping, bleeding and clots. anyone had great results with addressing this women’s issue naturally? each month i’m getting closer & closer to selecting a surgical option but the fact that i don’t have children comes slamming down.
hi,
i have just read some of your comments and am happy to see that it is fairly normal to still be having my period at almost 53years old! Most of my girl friends are well into the menopause. I agree with the advice to exercise…something I have been doing for many years…try to fit in at least 20-30 mins a day…either a brisk walk or i do a little routine at home…starting with a warm up on my cross trainer…best ever investment! easy and convenient at home! I can honestly say i am not experiencing any extreme symptoms and am happy to still be feeling reasonably on top of things…oh and I have a new hubby…remarried last year…they say life begins at 40! for me it was 50!! don’t give in ladies…or up!
x
I am 48 yrs. old. My husband and I are truck drivers and we drive from SC to CA weekly and are home 1 0r 2 days a week. Last winter, we went to Reno Nv. and when we stopped for the night at the place we would deliver the next mornig, I was on my coputer and told my husband I was having a dissy spell (I have them occasionally) he said I dropped my computer and stretched out my body and wouldn;t respond to him for 20 seconds. He said I had a tear come from my eye and this iswhen he called 911, I then came around and my legs were very week , I had a headache and was shaking uncontrolable…The next week, delivery was @ same place in reno, we parked and I became dizzy but didn;t black out, I went and layed down and I was ok. I mentioned this to Dr. and it was kind of thrown to the side of my visit. Last week, we were leaving Ca. and we were in Az. where we stopped to eat, I had just woke up, we ate got in truck and I began to drive. after 1 hr. of driving, I became sort of warm but not overwhelming, but then I had shotness of breathe, then my right side under breast began to feel as if someone were stabbing me with a sharp knife the pain was sharp, would go away for a second or 2 and come back. The pain got real intense ..My husband and I swopped out he took me to hospital when my hand and fingers began to tingle. When I got to the hospital, I was shaking…They said it was mountain sickness….Heart monitor was put on me for 5 hrs. When we got back to SC I went to my Dr. she sent me to have a ct on lungs and that turned out good as well. I have had these symptons again after being home and I am not in high elevation, sounds like anxiety to me but Dr. isn’t sure, what else can I have her check? I have recently lost 37 lbs since Aug.but I am not on a diet forsay, I am eating healthy foods and watching my salt. I have taken all sugar and flour out of my diet and eat whole grains vegetables, fruit ect. I exercise daily and I feel great when I exercise. Please if anyone has any suggestions, let me know them. Should I have a test on my thyroid? could this be the problem?
You need to see a primary care physician.
I’m so glad to hear you feel renewed in your fifties! I have something to look forward to.
Wow! This is so interesting and I wish I had found it earlier. I had horrible panic attacks and anxiety from my late 30s. Thankfully the panic attacks went before I hit 50 but I still have some anxiety. Since reaching 50 though I find it much easier to keep problems in perspective. Thanks for a really interesting read and best wishes to all.
Kind regards
Izzy
SO glad I found this. I will be 52 in June and still get my periods every month…they only last two or three days now but they arrive right on time. I have recently been diagnosed by an ENT with menieres disease…I woke April 5 feeling very unsteady on my feet and then had tinnitus since…I had an MRI…brain and head are fine but I did have an abnormal ENG test stating there is something going on with my balance. I see my regular medical doctor in a few weeks but for now I am on a water pill and am cutting down caffeine and salt, etc. I have a heavy head feeling a lot during the day…burning tongue…I really think this is partially menopause but we shall see. I care for my 92 year old mom so I do have a bit of stress. Im married almost 31 years to my best friend…he is a saint…and we have an almost 24 year old son who is a police officer….I have a good life and as a hobby I started a blogradio show…its just my therapy….I like to talk to all of us 50 something ladies about all types of life experiences. I would love it if you would like to give my last show a listen…this was when they were doing the tests and I was waiting for the results….its only my 6th show…Im really an amateur…just a nice past time…I loved reading all of your reassuring peri menopause stories….I will be checking in often…
http://tobtr.com/s/1841947
Thank you very much for reading and for sharing your information. I’ll check out your radio show. -SB.