Estrogen is more than just a sex hormone and is essential for the emotional well-being of women.

The level of Estrogen changes throughout a women’s life. Therefore, it’s like a rollercoaster ride of emotions for them.

Women are at a greater risk of mood disruption and depression due to their fluctuating Estrogen levels during reproductive cycles.

Furthermore, women during Menopause may get more prone to depression-like problems due to their low Estrogen levels.

This article will help you understand does Estrogen make you emotional and what factors it depends on.

Relation between Estrogen and emotions

Estrogen has links with women’s emotional well-being, and a change in its level can affect their mood.

However, this close relationship is yet to be studied well to understand how emotions depend on Estrogen levels. 

Estrogen is also present in the brain and can trigger emotions such as:

  • Increasing and modifying the number of “feel good” chemicals, Endorphins in the brain
  • Increasing Serotonin (happiness hormone) production in the brain
  • Detecting any damage to brain nerves, and ensuring healthy growth of nerves
Fact:
A low Estrogen level may cause anxiety, or frustration. But a high Estrogen may lead to depression, tiredness, and disrupted sleep patterns.

In what conditions does Estrogen make you more emotional

Estrogen can make you emotional in the following conditions:

Estrogen and Premenstrual Syndrome

Many women face problems before their monthly periods, and these symptoms, when they interfere with their daily life, are called Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

Estrogen may cause these symptoms (physical and emotional) that occur before periods and are relieved after menstruation.

Estrogen and PMDD

The emotional disturbances during PMDD are severe and affect the daily life of women.

Estrogen is involved in these symptoms, but how is yet to be found.

However, premenstrual Estrogen levels are associated with anxiety and stress in women with PMDD.

Warning:
Consult your doctor on any serious problems due to changes in Estrogen level, as delaying treatment may cause severe complications, such as Breast cancer, PCOS, and Insulin resistance.

Estrogen and postpartum depression

Almost 10 to 25% of women go through depression within six months after childbirth.

The drastic change in Estrogen levels after giving birth is supposed to cause this. 

It needs more research to find the link between these two, as many researchers failed to detect the association between them.

Estrogen and Menopause depression

Elder woman with menopause
Elder woman with menopause having low estrogen

During Menopause, Estrogen levels decrease, leading to mood swings in women. 

Sometimes, these mood swings become so frequent that it becomes difficult to cope with. 

Recommended Article
To know more, read Menopause and Depression: The Hidden Battle and learn the link between them.

The emotional effect of Estrogen on transgender

Estrogen can affect transgender who use it as part of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT).

According to a 2016 report, people whose Estrogen level was increased due to hormone therapy noticed increased indirect or imagined emotions and could read other people’s intentions. 

Also, some people, while taking Estrogen, noticed more crying, high emotional tendency, and felt tender.

How to manage Estrogen level for emotional well-being

Healthy diet
Healthy diet

To manage Estrogen levels for emotional well-being, incorporate the following methods into your daily routine:

  • Eat a healthy balanced diet: A balanced diet rich in basic nutrients can not only work on physical health but improves mental health
  • Exercise regularly: Exercise or physical activities can be beneficial for mental health and depression
  • Manage stress through yoga or meditation: Yoga and meditation can be an easy and non-expensive therapy for women
  • Get enough sleep: Sleeping for 8-9 hours is beneficial to improve brain performance, mental peace, and health

Conclusion

Estrogen is a very crucial hormone for women. It has many roles that are more than just being a sex hormone. 

It is vital for managing the emotional well-being of women.

Estrogen is present in the brain that controls emotions. 

Estrogen increases the level of Serotonin and Endomorphin and impacts women’s emotions.

Also, Estrogen may negatively impact women’s daily stress levels during PMS and PMDD. 

Many women also go through depression after giving birth due to fluctuating Estrogen levels.

Transgender people on hormone therapy also noticed the influence of Estrogen on themselves.

Even after so much impact of Estrogen on women’s bodies, you can manage its optimal level with exercise, meditation, a healthy diet, and enough sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Estrogen make you emotional?

Estrogen is often linked with women’s emotional well-being, and a change in its level may cause mood changes. Also, Estrogen is present in the brain and may increase Serotonin and Endomorphin levels and trigger emotions. Estrogen also detects damage to the nerve.

Does Estrogen make you sad?

Yes, a change in Estrogen level may cause mood swings and make you unhappy. According to a 2016 study, high Estrogen in people due to hormonal therapy made them cry and led to indirect or imagined emotions.

Can too much Estrogen make you tearful?

Yes, too much Estrogen may make you teary. Estrogen dominance is an increase of Estrogen levels in the body that can cause irritation, mood swings, and even crying. Some common symptoms that transgender people addressed after hormonal therapy was feeling tender and crying.

How can I manage optimal Estrogen for emotional well-being?

To manage optimal Estrogen for emotional well-being, you can work on your mental and physical state. You can eat healthy food, exercise daily, do yoga, meditation, and get enough sleep. These are ways to cope with stress. Still, you should visit a doctor and take medical assistance if needed.

Citations:
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