Is anxiety hormone-related?

Okay, ladies, here is my deep-thought question for the day: can hormones have an effect on our fears and anxieties?

Some history -
I have always (since young childhood) had a tremendous fear of needles. To the point of vomiting and fainting when I had shots or blood draws. I couldn't even see someone on TV getting a shot without getting nauseous and lightheaded. It was BAD. There have been other things as well, but this particular fear/phobia was the most pronounced.

I have also always had too much progesterone in my system. When I had a blood test to confirm my pregnancy 4 years ago I was told that either I was carrying twins or that I was way off on the date of conception - simply because the progesterone level was so high. Wrong on both counts - my progesterone level just started off high.

Since my hyst (and ovary loss) I seem to have mellowed. I started estrogen-only hrt about 2 months post-op. It took about 4 months to get the dose right, but since then things have been great. I had to take my little guy for a blood test recently and I was able to watch the whole thing without feeling sick. My DH is diabetic and I've been able to watch him inject insulin without a problem lately too (something I was never able to do before). Other things that used to really freak me out have been better too. The fear is still there, but the overwhelming, sweaty, heart-pounding, I-think-I'm-gonna-puke-aspect of these things is gone.

I think this is pretty interesting. Does anyone know of any studies that have been done regarding hormones and fear response? Has anyone else noticed a similar response to their surgery?

Yes, anxiety can be hormone related. From what I have read, anxiety can be from low estrogen levels. That is not to say, everytime we are anxious it is because of that.

You can read more about hormones in the articles at www.hormonejungle.com and we have lots more information in the Resources section.