The Anxiety Loop: How Cortisol Steals Your Social Confidence

In women, fluctuations in estrogen during various life stages—such as pregnancy, menstrual cycles, or menopause—have a direct link to the worsening of social anxiety symptoms. These biological changes affect not only the body but also the neurotransmitters in the brain, potentially causing someone who was previously extroverted to suddenly feel overwhelmed and excessively embarrassed in group settings. This issue demonstrates that many of our social behaviors are rooted in the body's chemical interactions.