How to Change Your Sleep Habits for Better Health
Your sleep habits affect your overall health. Learn more about changing your sleep habits to align with a healthy lifestyle.
Low Estradiol And Depression In Women
Here are some interesting things you may never have thought of. There were some puzzling things for me during my career as an OBGYN. They were curiosities for me. Research in recent years has revealed the answers.
I wondered why there are three completely different times in a woman’s life when she is depressed for no apparent reason, it is mood-incongruent:
- premenstrual
- postpartum, and
- postmenopausal
During my residency, I figured out that they were all three times when the woman had low estradiol. But, estradiol isn’t an antidepressant, so why does it happen? Most antidepressants deal with the neurotransmitter serotonin. They are serotonin reuptake inhibitors. They allow the serotonin the brain makes to hang around longer and keep you happy. Recent research has shown, women’s serotonin levels in their brain follow estradiol levels. Low estradiol =low serotonin = depression.
The other funny questions I had were:
- Why do premenstrual women gorge on sweets/carbs, specifically chocolate? It’s universal! What is going on?
and - Why do men do so great on the Atkin’s Diet and women don’t?
Then research revealed that women make serotonin from carbs, men do not. When premenstrual girls are cramming carbs, they are treating their depression/low serotonin without knowing what they are doing. When men eat low carbs, they feel great and get skinny. When women eat low carbs, it has less of an effect and they feel like Hell because they are depressed.
Case solved. I just thought you ladies might find it interesting.
If your are in need of hormonal treatment please schedule an appointment with Dr. Riegel today by calling (888) 386-0237.
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