Introduction

Your mood is the general feeling you carry at a given time. It can be happy, sad, irritable, or calm. While you can influence your mood through habits and thoughts, your hormones also play a major role in how you feel.

Mood is defined as a lasting emotional tone that colours nearly all aspects of your behaviour.¹ 

Mood disorders are a group of mental health conditions that involve extreme changes in mood from deep lows (depression) to extreme highs (mania or hypomania).² These disorders are common and can affect general well-being. 

Hormones are chemical messengers that affect specific parts of the brain, influencing emotions. When hormone levels are too high or too low, they can affect your mood and emotions in different ways. 

In this article, we will learn how hormonal imbalance contributes to and affects different mood disorders like depression, anxiety and postmenstrual syndrome.

What are hormones?

Hormones are chemicals produced by the glands of the endocrine system. They travel in the bloodstream to target organs, where they regulate their activity.⁶ When hormones are out of balance, the result can be physical symptoms or emotional changes.

Key hormones that regulate mood and activities

Almost all hormones are involved in emotions. They include oestrogen, progesterone, cortisol, thyroid hormones, serotonin, adrenaline, dopamine, melatonin, and oxytocin. Some hormones are also gender-specific. 

Below is a list of some hormones and their key influence on emotions.

Oestrogen

Oestrogen makes women more vulnerable to mood disorders. It can lead to depression when it's low.³

Progesterone

When progesterone is low, it can lead to anxiety and irritability. It is also responsible for mood swings that usually happen in pregnancy.

Testosterone

In men, testosterone is linked to social dominance and aggression.³ Low levels are linked to low energy, sensitivity, withdrawal and even depression. 

Adrenaline

Released in stressful situations, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy.

Cortisol

The “stress hormone” provides energy during stress, but can contribute to anxiety if chronically high.

Dopamine

Dopamine is the “reward” chemical linked to pleasure, motivation, and movement control. Low levels are linked to depression, while high levels can lead to agitation and irritability.

Melatonin

Melatonin helps regulate sleep; low levels are linked to seasonal depression.

Serotonin

Serotonin affects mood balance; low levels are linked to anger, irritability, and depression.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is the “bonding” hormone. It promotes empathy and trust, and may reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.

Hormonal imbalance 

Hormonal imbalance happens when there is too much or too little of a hormone in the bloodstream. Small fluctuations can cause noticeable symptoms because hormones work in tightly regulated ranges.

Causes of hormonal imbalance 

• Natural changes like in puberty, pregnancy and postpartum, menopause and andropause
• Gland disorders like thyroid disorders, adrenal disorders, and Addison's disease
• Lifestyle factors like poor diet, chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and lack of exercise
• Medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and diabetes
• Hormonal medications, birth control pills and steroid drugs
• Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), like BPA, phthalates, and pesticides
• Radiation or chemotherapy, which damage hormone-producing glands

The link between hormonal imbalance and mood disorders

Hormones affect brain functions like attention, memory, and mood.⁴ These effects can be short-term or long-term, affecting behaviour. 

However, periods of major hormonal change like puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause, and andropause are associated with increased mood disorders.⁵

Long-term hormonal imbalances can disrupt brain chemistry, contributing to depression, anxiety, and cognitive problems.

Hormonal imbalance and depression

Depression is a condition of constantly low moments for a major period of time. Hormones play a great role in depression in both men and women.

For women

• Severe premenstrual mood symptoms(PMS) are linked to progesterone and oestrogen instability⁵
• Fluctuating oestrogen and progesterone lead to menopause-related depression ⁵
• Hormonal shifts after childbirth increase vulnerability to postpartum depression
• Oxytocin promotes bonding, empathy and trust, and may reduce anxiety and depression symptoms

Generally 

• Thyroid disorders can cause depression, which is reversible with proper treatment⁸
• Serotonin affects mood balance; low levels lead to anger, irritability, and depression

Hormonal imbalance and anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling that something bad is about to happen all the time, it becomes disturbing, affecting well-being.

• Adrenaline triggers the fight-or-flight response. High levels can lead to anxiety
• Cortisol sustains energy during stress, but can worsen anxiety if elevated too long
• Some studies show that higher progesterone is linked to higher anxiety in certain phases of the menstrual cycle⁹
• Hyperthyroidism can also cause anxiety, irritability, and concentration problems. A study says up to 60% of hyperthyroid patients have anxiety disorders⁸

Hormonal imbalance and PMS

Premenstrual syndrome(PMS) is a set of physical and emotional symptoms before menstruation, usually mild to moderate.

• High oestrogen and progesterone in this phase may worsen PMS symptoms⁷

Signs and symptoms of hormone-related mood disorders

• Irritability, sadness, anger
• Fatigue, headaches, bloating
• Sleep problems
• Appetite changes
• Low sex drive
• Brain fog, trouble focusing
• Feeling “out of control”

Diagnosis and medical evaluation

Accurately diagnosing a hormonal imbalance requires a combination of listening to the patient’s history, tracking symptoms over time, and confirming findings with laboratory tests. Because many hormone-related symptoms overlap with other medical conditions, a careful, step-by-step evaluation is essential.

Treatment options

Once a hormonal imbalance is identified, treatment aims to correct the underlying cause, relieve symptoms, and restore overall health. This often involves a combination of medical treatments, lifestyle adjustments, and ongoing monitoring.

Medical Treatments

Hormone therapy

• Oestrogen therapy – It's commonly prescribed for menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings
• Progesterone therapy – It is often combined with oestrogen in women to protect the uterine lining. Sometimes, it is also used for premenstrual mood symptoms
• Testosterone therapy – Used for low libido, low energy, or muscle loss in men with hypogonadism
• Thyroid hormone replacement – levothyroxine (T4) or liothyronine (T3) for hypothyroidism

Antidepressants

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs),e.g. sertraline, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. Often used for depression because of menopause, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), or postpartum changes
• Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors(SNRIs), e.g. duloxetine, venlafaxine. It's helpful for mood symptoms and menopause-related hot flashes

Other medications

• Ketamine or esketamine – Used in treatment-resistant depression. It rapidly improves mood, although alongside other treatments
• Metformin – For insulin resistance linked to PCOS
• Corticosteroids or immunosuppressants – In autoimmune endocrine conditions,e.g. Addison’s disease, autoimmune thyroiditis
• Anti-androgens – Such as spironolactone for women with high testosterone symptoms in PCOS

Natural and lifestyle approaches

• Balanced diet (whole foods, healthy fats, lean proteins)
• Regular exercise
• Stress management (yoga, meditation, deep breathing)
• Good sleep habits
• Avoiding exposure to chemical toxins 

When to seek professional help

• Mood symptoms disrupt daily life
• There are thoughts of self-harm
• Anxiety or depression worsens suddenly

Prevention and long-term management

• Regular health check-ups for early detection of imbalances
• Practise lifestyle habits that support hormonal and mental health
• Continuous mental health support through therapy or support groups
• Minimise exposure to environmental toxins

Summary

Hormonal balance plays a major role in mood stability. Understanding the connection between hormones and mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and PMS can help people recognise symptoms early and seek effective treatment. Prioritising both hormonal health and mental well-being is key to long-term emotional health.