Hormone Health Hub: Expert Insights on Testing, Balance & Better Living — SSRIs

By Dr. Sherry LaBeck of ZRT Lab Perimenopause is the transition between a woman's reproductive years and menopause, characterized by a decline in estrogen levels, which can lead to physical and emotional symptoms. Understanding the role of estrogen during this phase is essential for managing symptoms and improving the quality of life for women going through this transition. What is Perimenopause? Perimenopause typically begins in a woman's 40s, though some may experience symptoms as early as their mid-30s, which is known as premature menopause. During this phase, the ovaries produce less estrogen until menstruation stops, marking the onset of menopause....

The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) — the 50% surge in cortisol that occurs in the first 30 minutes after waking — is one of the most sensitive markers of HPA axis health. Discover how CAR differs from the standard diurnal cortisol curve, which conditions are linked to blunted or exaggerated CAR, and how three timed morning saliva samples can reveal adrenal function in ways a single cortisol test cannot.

Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have for preventing and treating depression — yet its neurochemical effects are still underappreciated. From boosting serotonin and dopamine to increasing GABA through yoga, physical activity reshapes the brain in ways that rival pharmaceutical interventions. This article explores the science behind exercise and mood, and what it means for your neurotransmitter health.

Explore the complex relationship between hormonal contraception, mood changes, and depression risk — particularly in teenagers and women sensitive to hormonal fluctuations. Learn the difference between natural progesterone and synthetic progestins, how estrogen and progesterone influence neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA, and why some women may experience depressive symptoms, anxiety, or emotional changes while using hormonal contraceptives. Discover how hormone and neurotransmitter testing may help provide deeper insight into mood-related symptoms linked to birth control use. 

Explore the powerful connection between hormones, neurotransmitters, and mood in PMS and PMDD. Learn how progesterone, allopregnanolone, GABA, serotonin, cortisol, and estrogen fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle may contribute to anxiety, irritability, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and severe premenstrual symptoms. Discover how hormone and neurotransmitter testing can help identify underlying imbalances linked to menstrual mood disorders.