Can progesterone cause anxiety?

[TreeHuggerMum1]

Just that really. I’ve been struggling with severe anxiety for a few months. Initially thought it was an MH problem. More recently, bloods have confirmed that my HRT (100) patches weren’t absorbing so have very recently swapped to Lenzetto. Too soon to tell if working. But, I’ve definitely noticed on the two weeks I take of Prog’ my dread / anxiety feeling is significantly stronger. Last month I had an inkling, this month I’m sure there is a link… Could this be a coincidence?

Progesterone, the female sex hormone, stimulates the part in the brain that is responsible to your fight-or-flight responses and may trigger your anxiety.
https://www.talkspace.com/mental-health/conditions/articles/anxiety-hormones-connection/#:~:text=So%20too%2C%20hormone%20imbalances%20can,and%20may%20trigger%20your%20anxiety.

I found quite the opposite OP. Because progesterone helped the peri menopause symptom of heavy bleeding I felt a lot more secure and confident. I was much less anxious.

When I had the contraceptive implant (progesterone), I was constantly anxious and on edge until I had it removed. Life just felt rubbish, I was irritable and snappy.

It was literally like a weight had been lifted a few hours after I had it out.

Don’t put up with it if it’s not suiting you - different women react differently.

Yes, I was on it for a few months, and it also caused me to be really bad tempered. I couldn't get on with it and was given a hysterectomy.

Yes. The progesterone part of my patches were making me feel almost suicidal. I also get the same from norethisterone... just not for me!

Yes. I been on Evorel Sequi patches for 2 years, but for ages I could tell within 24 hours of changing to the progesterone patch- my anxiety ramped up for a day or two. It seemed clearly linked to my patch changing, which helped me deal with it mentally. In the last 6 months it’s pretty much totally disappeared, thank goodness.

Yes, utrogestan made me suicidal. But I always felt horrendous for the second half of my normal cycle too so am very sensitive to progesterone.

Dont feel as bad with the mirena, though I do have some low days, I cry less.

yes I feel like this on the 14 days of norethisterone . its my 4th month on it, so have asked GP for a review, but I don't know what the alternative might be

I was fine with Norethisterone sequentially, slept a bit better even. But Utrogestan was a nightmare, dead on my feet for 2wks and then the first two days of not taking I had awful anxiety and panic attacks. I found it so strong, but doctors insist on a high dose.

I was progesterone intolerant and had to have the mirena out as it was affecting my mental health. (Although it was brilliant for controlling my periods) I had a hysterectomy