HOW HORMONES MAKE OR BREAK YOUR CONFIDENCE
We talk to many women who feel that their self-confidence has faded away during their peri/ menopause transition which has had quite an impact on their overall quality of life. If you are one of those women, then this article is for you!
A loss of confidence is common during the period of peri/ menopause and is connected to such symptoms as anxiety, low mood, depression, brain fog, memory issues but also joint pains, bladder issues etc. – these most certainly contribute to the loss of confidence and self-esteem in ways you may not expect.
Did you know that the main reason for not feeling your “confident self” is due to a decline in some of your hormone levels? Our hormones influence our feeling of confidence as they have a huge impact on brain chemistry and physiological responses and that is how:
ESTROGEN
Estrogen is one of the most important female hormones which is closely linked with our emotional well-being. That loss of Estrogen around peri/ menopause is associated with mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
These days we know due to various studies that estrogen deficiency can affect the mental health and even cause mental issues. That is because Estrogen brings about antidepressant effects on the brain’s receptors and neurotransmitters, resulting in feel-good emotions. Estrogen also enhances the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine, improving and stabilising moods as well as giving a person a sense of well-being.
TESTOSTERONE
is all about that zest for life, assertiveness and determination, and as such is linked to increased confidence. Higher levels of testosterone is also reponsible for feelings of self-assurance, competitiveness, willingness to take risks and so imagine if that optimal levels of that vital hormone goes down and rapidly so …?
CORTISOL
is a stress hormone and it affects how we respond to various stressors in our life. We absolutely need some cortisol as it can help us perform well under pressure, contributing to a sense of competence and confidence in challenging situations. Without a adequate level of good cortisol we could not even get up out of bed in the morning.
DOPAMINE
This neurotransmitter, so-called “happy hormone”, which pay a huge role in the brain’s reward system. Dopamine is released when we achieve goals or experience success, reinforcing behaviors that lead to confidence in our abilities.
OXYTOCIN
Often referred to as the “love hormone,” oxytocin promotes feelings of trust, connection, and social bonding. When oxytocin levels are higher, we feel more confident in social interactions and relationships.
SEROTONIN
Regulating mood and social behavior, serotonin makes you feel good about yourself, stirring up confidence and self-esteem, nurturing a sense of common bond in any relationship.
As you would expect, low serotonin won’t make you feel good at all, more to the point, it is associated with mood disorders that can affect confidence levels.
ADRENALINE
Also known as epinephrine, adrenaline is released in response to stress and excitement. It increases heart rate, boosts energy, and sharpens focus, contributing to a feeling of readiness and confidence in challenging situations.
These hormones interact in complex ways within the body and brain, influencing both physical responses and emotional states that contribute to overall feelings of confidence. Factors such as genetics, environment, and individual experiences also play roles in determining how these hormones affect confidence levels.
