Hormones And Mental Health

When to see an OB/GYN for your mood

“I have brain fog.”

“I’m depressed.”

“I’m having mood swings.”

Thoughts like these are the kind that Aariel Dees, MD, of St. Joseph’s/Candler Physician Network – OB/GYN, wants her patients to share with her. She understands that some women may be afraid to talk about it, or they may believe these are symptoms to discuss only with a psychiatrist or neurologist. But in some cases, your OB/GYN can help, too.

“Don’t be ashamed,” Dr. Dees says. “We see people every day that feel the exact same way you do. We can talk about it. If we find that your symptoms are due to hormone levels, we can develop a treatment plan that is right for you.”

Many patients find relief with hormone replacement therapy or other medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, and oral contraceptive pills, which can regulate a hormonal imbalance.

“Patients going through menopause, for example, can be in a hypoestrogenic state,” Dr. Dees says. “Their body has lower levels of estrogen than normal. It’s a state that your body was not previously used to, and that can affect your mental health.”

It may be perplexing to think that hormones, which the body produces to help with functions such as growth, metabolism and blood sugar management, could be the reason for your bad mood. But some of these chemical messengers regulate emotions as well. Dr. Dees hopes her patients will understand this and be open to talking with her about their symptoms.

“Mental health is so important,” she says. “If you need an SSRI to get through the day, that is completely normal. Or if you need some type of estrogen, progesterone or a combination of the two, then that is also okay. We have all of these tools to help you. We can make you feel better.”