HORMONAL VARIATIONS DICTATING DEPRESSION AND MOOD FLUCTUATIONS.
Depression due to hormonal variations.
Depression is a mental disorder that manifests as a lack of interest, pleasure, sleep, appetite, persistent sadness, and guilt. However, these symptoms may vary in terms of duration, mode of presentation, and intensity for the diverse depression types. A study in Europe indicated that depression is prevalent in women than in men. Therefore, the research suggests that hormonal variations influence depression since hormones directly activate, modulate, and inhibit the central nervous system (CNS).
Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH).
CRH regulates the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) into the bloodstream, causing the release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex. Moreover, mineralocorticoids and estrogen release occur after the release of ACTH. Cortisol mediates the handling of adrenaline release and stress. Anxiety and some depressive disorders occur in high cortisol production. Melancholic depression is consistent with high CRH levels present in your cerebrospinal fluid.
Many patients record stressful situations as a trigger for depression and sleep disturbances. Cortisol can alter your rapid eye movement (REM) sleep that is consistent with depressive states. Currently, research is underway to determine if CRH-selective inhibitors can ameliorate depressive symptoms. Researchers indicate that antidepressants modulate glucocorticoid receptors, although they act on cytokines and neurotransmitters.
Female hormones and depression.
Women are at higher risk of developing depression since they have drastic hormonal variations during puberty, menopause, postpartum, and menstrual cycles. Sex hormones in women are considered responsible for depression because they control mood, mental status, and cognition. These hormones include progesterone and estrogen. Recent studies indicate estrogen plays a vital role in controlling feelings, motor skills, and cognitive functions.
If you are a girl at the beginning of puberty, gonadal development results in the production of sexual hormones. Therefore, your body will experience an abrupt change in the hormone levels, thereby predisposing you to mood disorders. Additionally, these hormonal changes influence an adolescent’s mental status by controlling serotonin levels. Adolescent girls undergo psychosocial stresses that increase the risk of developing depressive illness.
Serotonin levels in your system control moods you might experience. Patients with mood disorders have lower levels of circulating serotonin. Furthermore, these patients respond better with serotonin drugs rather than noradrenergic therapy. You can thus elevate your moods by getting a prescription from your physician for serotonin medication.
Estrogen hormone controls cognition and mood and, thus, can alleviate your depression symptoms. The hormone increases the number of serotonin receptor type 2A in the brain, serotonin synthesis, and acts as an agonistic modulator of serotonin receptors. Furthermore, estrogen decreases monoamine oxidase degradation (MAO) and serotonin receptor type one binding. These actions culminate to produce an antidepressant effect.
Conversely, progesterone causes depression by increasing the activity of MAO. Serotonin levels decrease due to high MAO activity induced by progesterone. Progesterone receptors populate regions in your brain responsible for learning, behavior, and emotional reactions. However, progesterone stabilizes your moods and decreases mental functions, unlike estrogen.
Thyroid gland function and depression.
Research on patients with thyroid dysfunction indicates a correlation of depression with hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a medical condition that arises from low levels of circulating thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland function and serotoninergic system relationship indicate a decrease in prolactin and cortisol response to serotonin receptors. Furthermore, the reduction in response diminishes the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), which normalizes once levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone is administered.
In depressive conditions, the number of 5-HT-1A receptors increases. These receptors interrupt neuronal impulses flow by detecting serotonin and decreasing its release. Additionally, the 5-HT-1A receptors increase the uptake of serotonin and hence, reducing its circulating levels. The administration of levothyroxine to a hypothyroid patient shows a reduction in the sensitivity of the 5-HT-1A receptors.
Additionally, administration of levothyroxine increases the release of serotonin hence alleviating depression symptoms. The enzymes involved in the metabolism of thyroid hormones affect the interaction of thyroid diseases and serotonin. Thyroxine (T4) conversion to triiodothyronine (T3) occurs via deiodinase II (D-II), and high activity of D-II relates to hypothyroidism and vice versa.
Inadvertently, D-II will increase your serotonin levels after the increasing T3 levels. Conversely, deiodinase III (D-III) is high in hyperthyroid patients and low in hypothyroidism. Therefore, D-III results in lower circulating serotonin levels due to a a reduction in the production of thyroxine. Studies indicate that serotonin inhibits thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) since depressed patients have high levels of TRH and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
Research points out that T3 participates in the modulation of the noradrenergic nuclei. Noradrenaline plays a significant role in the deiodination process of T3 to T4. Thyroxine concentrates in brain areas with the high noradrenergic transmission, hence, acts as the beta-adrenergic receptors. The modulation of these receptors results in antidepressant outcomes in patients and promotes quick recovery.
If you have been experiencing depression possibly due to mood and hormonal fluctuations. We are here to provide you with solutions and assistance to improve your health status. We can help, call now 123-456-7890.