Sex Hormones and Stress

Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from stressrelated mental illnesses such as depression.

High levels of the female sex hormone estrogen affect the brain’s ability to deal with stress. This may be why anxiety often peaks during times of hormonal change such as during puberty, at certain times of the menstrual cycle in women, and during menopause in women. On the other hand, chronic stress affects the concentration of all sex hormones because the body produces stress hormones such as cortisol at the expense of sex hormones. In order to fight stress, our body shuts down sex mechanisms so that we’re better able to deal with more urgent and immediate needs.

This change, called the stress-shift in hormone production, helps us respond to life-threatening situations by focusing hormone production for survival rather than procreation. The shift in hormones not only lowers sex drive but it can interfere with ovulation and fertility.

Recognizing stress as a contributing factor or the cause of sexual problems is enough to bring about recovery. Ignoring the problem and not taking steps to eliminate it can lead to many serious problems.

Darine Al Nabulsi

First Year Pharmacy Student

Lebanese International University