Your Guide To Hormonal Imbalance

What Causes A Hormonal Imbalance?

Hormones are tiny messengers that influence everything from sleep and digestion to stress and skin. When they go off balance, you can feel like a stranger in your own body. For women, hormonal imbalances often stem from perimenopause—the phase before menopause—caused by declining oestrogen levels.

Your ovaries produce oestrogen and progesterone. When oestrogen dips, the balance between the two shifts, causing fluctuations. Think of it like a hormonal rollercoaster. Eventually, during menopause, oestrogen drops to the point that the ovaries stop releasing eggs entirely.

When Do Hormones Start To Change In Women?

Hormonal shifts happen throughout a woman’s life, but some stages bring more dramatic changes:

• Puberty: Mood swings, acne, irregular or painful periods.
• Pregnancy: Surges in oestrogen and progesterone lead to nausea, fatigue, and emotional changes.
• Perimenopause: Usually in your 40s, cycles become unpredictable as hormones start to dip.
• Menopause: A natural decline in hormones leads to fatigue, weight gain, and lower bone density.

How Can You Fix A Hormonal Imbalance?

Some conditions, like thyroid disease or diabetes, require medical treatment. While supplements claim to help, only a few are proven effective—so always consult your doctor before starting any. Along with treatment, lifestyle changes like stress management, quality sleep, regular exercise, and a balanced diet can support hormone health.

Best Vitamins For Hormone Balance

Certain vitamins play a major role in maintaining hormonal harmony:

B Vitamins

• B12: Supports adrenal hormones like cortisol.
• B6: Helps regulate oestrogen.
• B3: Flushes out excess steroid hormones.

Add these to your diet:

• Non-vegetarians: Salmon, eggs.
• Vegetarians/Vegans: Leafy greens (like kale, spinach) and supplements.

Vitamin D

• Vital for thyroid, bone, and immune health.
• Low levels are linked to thyroid disorders and reduced oestrogen/testosterone production.

Replenish with:

• Sun exposure
• Vitamin D-rich foods (fatty fish, UV-treated mushrooms)
• Supplements

What Exercises Help Balance Hormones?

Physical activity—whether it’s strength training, cardio, or walking—can help reduce insulin resistance and improve hormone function. Even light exercise improves overall well-being and balances hormone levels naturally.

Medical Treatments For Hormonal Imbalance

Treatment varies based on symptoms and life stage. Common options include:

• Hormonal birth control: Regulates menstrual cycles (available as pills, rings, IUDs, or injections).
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): Eases menopause symptoms like hot flashes.
• Vaginal oestrogen: Helps with dryness using creams, tablets, or rings.
• Eflornithine: Slows excess facial hair growth.
• Anti-androgens: Help with severe acne and unwanted hair growth/loss.
• Clomid or Femara: Stimulate ovulation for those with PCOS trying to conceive.
• IVF: For those with PCOS seeking assisted reproductive options.

Natural Remedies and Lifestyle Tips

Beyond exercise and sleep, here are ways to support hormonal health at home:

• Sleep deeply and regularly to maintain balance.
• Reduce blue light exposure before bed to reset your circadian rhythm.
• Limit sugar and processed foods to avoid metabolic issues.
• Eat healthy fats and fibre to support insulin function.
• Omega-3-rich foods like fatty fish can help with mood regulation.
• Avoid excess dairy if you're concerned about reproductive hormones.

How Do I Check My Hormone Levels?

There’s no single test for all hormone issues. Diagnosis often includes:

• Blood tests: Check oestrogen, testosterone, and thyroid levels.
• Imaging (MRI/ultrasound): Detects cysts or tumours that affect hormone production.
• Urine tests: Measure cycle-related hormones like cortisol.
• Pelvic exams: Identify abnormalities in reproductive organs. 

Final Thoughts

Most women experience hormonal imbalance at some point. While conditions affecting the endocrine system are common culprits, stress, medication, and lifestyle can also throw things off. If symptoms persist or disrupt your daily life, don’t dismiss them—talk to a healthcare professional and explore both medical and natural support.

Your body’s signals aren’t random. Listening closely could be the first step to regaining balance and feeling like yourself again.