Does the estrogen elicit or suppresses stress susceptibility in women?

Abstract

The perimenopausal period has been linked to heightened stress levels in women, even in the absence of a history of affective disorder. This may be attributed to the impact of fluctuating levels of gonadal steroids on neurotransmitters and mood-regulating systems. This article reviews the interactions between estrogen changes and psychosocial stress and their contribution to women’s vulnerability to stress. Estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating brain functions and networks associated with alterations in stress reactivity, cognitive abilities, and emotional regulation. The combined impact of estrogen on cognitive and emotional processes, especially in the context of psychosocial stress, could explain the link between fluctuations in ovarian hormones and stress levels in females. Our hypothesis suggests a framework detailing how estrogen influences various brain systems involved in emotional and cognitive responses to stress, and we explore potential pathways through which reproductive events and estrogen fluctuations might raise stress vulnerability in women with additional risk factors. Fluctuation in estrogen levels can directly influence the functioning of emotional regulation nodes and circuits in the brain, impacting cognitive responses to life stress.