How to Balance Your Hormones and Improve Your Health
Why Do We Know So Little?
If you ever felt like you weren’t taught enough about your menstrual cycle, you’re not alone. Despite studying biology in school, I didn’t fully understand what was happening in my body until I trained as a nutritional therapist.
For decades, women’s health has been an afterthought in medical research. It wasn’t until 1993 that menstruating women were included in clinical study, 2003 when it became acceptable and 2016 when it became mandated, and 2023 before menstrual blood was actually used in product testing instead of that mysterious blue liquid we all saw in adverts. Even the clitoris wasn’t fully mapped until 1997.
We’ve been expected to feel and function the same every day—despite the fact that our bodies are constantly changing. Understanding our hormones is key to working with our bodies, not against them.
Your Hormones Are Like An Orchestra
Think of your hormones as a symphony orchestra, with each one playing a different role throughout the month. Your brain is the conductor, keeping everything in balance, but external factors like stress, blood sugar imbalances, and environmental toxins can throw everything off.
The Lead Players: Oestrogen and Progesterone
Oestrogen: The feel-good, energy-boosting hormone that makes your skin glow, sharpens your mind, and increases libido. It’s dominant in the first half of your cycle and peaks around ovulation.
Progesterone: The calming, grounding hormone that balances oestrogen and supports restful sleep, stable mood, and a sense of inner peace. It takes over in the second half of your cycle.
If oestrogen is too high or progesterone is too low, you may experience:
Mood swings and irritability
Heavy or painful periods
Bloating and water retention
Insomnia or low energy
DHEA: The Overlooked Master Hormone
DHEA is a foundation hormone that helps your body create oestrogen and testosterone. It plays a huge role in energy levels, libido, muscle strength, and motivation.
Chronic stress can deplete DHEA, leading to:
Fatigue that isn’t resolved by sleep
Low motivation and reduced muscle tone
Reduced libido and brain fog
Common Hormonal Imbalances and What to Do
Why Mood Swings Are Not Normal
PMS is so common that we’re conditioned to believe it’s just part of being a woman. But if the week before your period is filled with extreme mood swings, anxiety, or depression, this isn’t something you have to accept—it’s a sign of imbalance.
What helps?
Magnesium and B6 – These nutrients support progesterone and calm the nervous system.
Adaptogens like ashwagandha – Help the body handle stress more effectively.
Balanced blood sugar – Fluctuations worsen PMS symptoms.
Acne, PCOS and Androgens
If you struggle with acne, unwanted hair growth, or irregular periods, androgens (like testosterone and DHEA) may be at play.
What to check:
Blood sugar balance – Insulin resistance can drive high androgens.
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) – If this is low, free androgens cause more breakouts.
Gut health and liver detox – Poor elimination of hormones can make skin worse.
Zinc, spearmint tea, and nettle can help lower androgens naturally.
Omega-3s and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cauliflower) support oestrogen clearance.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is often undiagnosed or dismissed despite affecting millions. It’s linked to chronic inflammation, excess oestrogen, and environmental toxins.
What helps?
Cruciferous vegetables – Support oestrogen metabolism.
Liver support – Milk thistle, dandelion, and burdock help clear excess hormones.
Omega-3s – Reduce inflammation and pain.
Anovulatory Cycles (Not Ovulating Regularly or Long Cycles)
If your cycles are very long (40+ days) or unpredictable, you may not be ovulating consistently. Causes include:
High stress and raised prolactin levels
Thyroid issues
PCOS
Low progesterone
Reducing stress and balancing blood sugar can help regulate ovulation. Functional testing (like the DUTCH test) can identify hormonal patterns.
How to Support Your Hormones Naturally
Prioritise stress management – Chronic stress disrupts ovulation and depletes key hormones.
Balance blood sugar – Irregular eating and sugar crashes wreak havoc on hormones.
Support your gut and liver – These organs detox excess hormones and help maintain balance.
Consider targeted supplementation – Magnesium, zinc, B6, and adaptogens can make a huge difference.
Looking for Personalised Support?
If you’re struggling with hormonal symptoms and want to get to the root cause, functional testing like the DUTCH test can help uncover imbalances.
For personalised hormone support, book a discovery call with me.
Your symptoms are real. You deserve to feel your best.
