Cortisol is the devil's own work as far as I'm concerned!!!
As we age, so cortisol levels rise.
My own research has been into the Cortisol Awakening Response. This is the phenomena which gives you that lovely shaking upon waking, followed by a protracted period of anxiety. Of all the symptoms I've experienced since the start of menopause, for me this is the most disturbing by far.
Another thing worth mentioning that I've researched is that increased estrogen levels (whether from increasing HRT dosage or due to the body's own fluctuations), cause a rise in norepinephrine. Put simply, this is adrenaline. Which is why perimenopause is a rollercoaster for anxiety particularly! You're basically in a 'surge, drop, surge, drop' situation.
Increasing HRT (estrogen) dosage can also cause this, and I believe this is why a lot of women have a tough time when they either start HRT or increase their dose due to increased anxiety and often abandon it before levels have a chance to stabilise.
This can be a double edged sword when trying to balance hormones during perimenopause if taking HRT, as you will get a surge of norepinephrine upon commencing treatment as well as 'surges' due to your own hormone fluctuations.
In postmenopause, when estrogen levels are very low anxiety can then raise its ugly head again and this is mainly caused by an increase in cortisol levels as well as increased demand on the adrenal glands as they are recruited into hormone production.
It's worth knowing this, because then your GP can't then shift the blame of your increased anxiety on to you and tell you it's all of your own doing!
Yes, relaxation can help along with mindfulness etc etc but knowledge is also power, and if you know a little about why this strangeness is happening it does help to make it very slightly less terrifying and reassures you that you're not going truly bonkers!
