Hormones and Panic Attacks

One of the most common effects of menopause is the increased experience of anxiety. Symptoms can include sweating, increased feeling of nervousness or stress, fear, depression and panic attacks. Even the most relaxed person who has never felt anxiety in their life can find their stress levels increased substantially during menopause.

These increased levels of anxiety are caused by the hormonal changes which are taking place in the body. During menopause the ovaries stop producing eggs, they also substantially decrease the amount of hormones that they produce. Some women will feel very few effects of this change, others will struggle with the effects of menopause for many years.

Over time, the symptoms of menopause will subside. It is simply a matter of waiting for the body to adjust to the decreased level of hormones. In the mean time there are several approaches to best manage your menopausal symptoms.

The first step is to make sure you are leading a healthy lifestyle. Take a look at your diet, make sure you are consuming the right amount of calories and drinking plenty of water. Make sure you are getting enough calcium and magnesium. Many researchers believe that magnesium is one of the keys to decreasing the symptoms of menopause. Being a healthy weight is important, women who are thinner than average may have a harder time during menopause, as the body’s fat stores can be a source of additional estrogen. Being overweight can also be harmful to your health. All of these steps will help correct the hormone imbalance you are currently experience, which will in turn decrease the amount of panic attacks you are suffering.

Stress management techniques can also help in decreasing the occurrence and the severity of panic attacks and other symptoms of anxiety. Being able to control your breathing is important. Take some time out each day to take deep breaths. You may like to try meditation at the same time. Taking this time out each day will work wonders on your high stress levels.

Natural remedies can also play a role in the management of anxiety and panic attacks. There are several herbal products on the market that can help with the symptoms of menopause. Iron, calcium, B vitamins are all important to the body at this time of life.

If you feel overwhelmed by your symptoms of anxiety it is a good idea to see a counselor or other professional.