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The Period Party Podcast · EP. 181 · April 6, 2023

A Holistic Psychiatrist’s Approach To Anxiety

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podcast guest

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ellen Vora, MD is a holistic psychiatrist, acupuncturist, and yoga teacher who takes a functional medicine approach to mental health—considering the whole person and addressing imbalance at the root. Dr. Vora received her B.A. from Yale University and her M.D. from Columbia University, and she is board-certified in psychiatry and integrative holistic medicine. She is the author of The Anatomy of Anxiety.

In this episode, we talk about how a holistic psychiatrist helps patients, what’s the difference between the holistic and conventional approach, how to distinguish between false and true anxiety, how the phases of our menstrual cycles impact our anxiety, and so much more! You’re going to love Ellen’s unique approach to anxiety which is just a sneak peek into what’s in store for you when you buy her book!

This episode is brought to you by Agni. Visit AgniForAll.com and use my code PERIODPARTY25 for 25% off your first order.

Hormone balance is essential for healthy, regular periods, and getting enough nourishment is essential to hormone balance. That’s why I love Agni and their food-based approach to supporting period health. Agni’s delicious cookies, tea, and seasonings were created by their medical advisory board to make it easy and delicious to support your hormone health and period all cycle long. Gluten free, vegan friendly, and loaded with nutrients specifically chosen to support period health, Agni’s treats are also super delicious.

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Episode Highlights

Resources Mentioned

Fix Your Period

How Fix Your Period Supports Hormonal Mental Health

Mood disruption, anxiety, and depression are among the most common — and least acknowledged — symptoms of hormonal imbalance. Fix Your Period helps you understand and address the hormonal root causes.

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Mood & Cycle Tracking

Track anxiety, mood, irritability, and emotional patterns throughout your cycle — identifying whether they follow a hormonal pattern (particularly in the luteal phase).

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Hormone Health Assessment

Take Nicole's free Hormone Health Assessment and get personalised results that reveal whether your mood symptoms follow a hormonal pattern — a key first step toward addressing the root cause.

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PMS & PMDD Protocols

Fix Your Period Premium includes Nicole's PMS and mood-focused protocols covering progesterone support, blood sugar balance, and nervous system regulation.

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Hormone-Mood Education

Nicole's signature Period Pillars cover the relationship between progesterone, estrogen, cortisol, and mood — explaining why hormonal fluctuations cause the mental health symptoms so many women experience.

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Nicole.AI

Fix Your Period Premium includes Nicole.AI — trained on Nicole's methodology — giving you personalised guidance on addressing the hormonal drivers of your mood symptoms.

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Personalised Protocol

Fix Your Period Premium unlocks your personalised protocol from your assessment results — a targeted starting point for addressing the hormonal imbalances behind your mood and anxiety symptoms.

Explore the App — It's Free to Start

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from this episode — and how Fix Your Period can help.

Why do hormones affect mood?
Estrogen and progesterone both directly influence neurotransmitter production and sensitivity. Estrogen boosts serotonin activity, while progesterone's metabolite allopregnanolone has calming, GABA-agonist effects. When these hormones fluctuate or decline — particularly in the luteal phase — mood, anxiety, and emotional regulation are directly affected.
What is the difference between PMS and PMDD?
PMS involves mood, physical, and behavioural symptoms in the luteal phase (the two weeks before menstruation) that are bothersome but manageable. PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) involves severe mood symptoms — including debilitating depression, rage, or anxiety — that significantly impair daily functioning. Both are driven by hormonal fluctuations, particularly low progesterone and estrogen withdrawal.
What hormonal imbalances cause anxiety?
Low progesterone is one of the most common causes of hormonally-driven anxiety — progesterone has direct calming effects on the nervous system. Elevated cortisol, blood sugar instability, thyroid dysfunction, and estrogen dominance can also all contribute to anxiety symptoms.
Is there an app to help with hormonal mood symptoms?
Yes. Fix Your Period's free assessment identifies whether your mood symptoms follow a hormonal pattern. Fix Your Period Premium unlocks Nicole's PMS and PMDD protocols, Period Pillars education on the hormone-mood connection, and Nicole.AI for personalised support.
Can lifestyle changes help with hormonal depression and anxiety?
Yes — particularly when mood symptoms follow a cyclical pattern linked to hormonal fluctuations. Targeted interventions including blood sugar stabilisation, progesterone support, magnesium and B6 supplementation, and stress management have strong evidence for improving hormonally-driven mood symptoms.
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