Hello Lindsbons. Welcome to DS.

I wasn't monitoring anxiety levels at the time, but I was put on birth control in my middle teens to regulate my menstrual cycles. I continued using until my mid 20's. It's too far back to trust my memory, but I can easily believe it did help reduce my anxiety, as well.

I've heard epic tales from my age peers about how much menopausal HRT eased anxiety levels. It's a question worth asking around about. Would an endocrinologist be the specialist to ask? Just wondering.

Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

You've taken the important first step in writing it out.

Birth control often helps regulate the mood swings associated with monthly cycles. This helps reduce anxiety spikes naturally.

Best wishes as you find what works for you.

Since anxiety is a result in part by the release of hormones from the fight or flight mechanism, it sounds somewhat reasonable. However, hormones cause the surge of symptoms we experience. I don’t think I would try hormone therapy. No medication changes the disordered thinking we have developed which caused the anxiety in the first place, only we ourselves can do that. This is what brings about recovery, not meds.

I didn’t notice a difference with my anxiety after I went off hormonal birth control but I did notice an uptick in my anxiety when I was in perimenopause. I don’t feel like fluctuating hormones are a direct cause of my anxiety but rather a response to all the wackiness occurring in my body from changing hormones.

Thanks everyone much appreciated!