Let’s talk about something I’ve experienced firsthand this week, and I know many of you have too.
You’re eating clean, getting your workouts in, doing all the “right” things for your health… and then life happens.
A family emergency. A work crisis. A wave of unexpected stress.
That’s exactly what happened to me—my child had a sudden injury that led to multiple surgeries. And even though I’m meticulous with my nutrition, supplements, sleep, and movement… my body still crashed.
Exhaustion hit hard. Brain fog crept in. And my energy vanished. Sound familiar?
This is what stress does.
It hijacks your hormones, especially in your 40s and 50s, when your body is already navigating the shifts of perimenopause or menopause.
💣 What Stress Does to Your Hormones
Even low-grade, ongoing stress has the power to completely disrupt your hormone balance. Here’s how it plays out:
✨ Cortisol (your stress hormone) spikes
✨ Progesterone starts to drop faster
✨ Estrogen becomes dominant
✨ You start feeling it: poor sleep, mood swings, brain fog, weight gain, fatigue
This is not just in your head. These shifts are real, and they’re measurable.
Progesterone is one of your most calming, balancing hormones. It helps with sleep, focus, mood, and keeping estrogen in check. But when chronic stress pushes cortisol too high (or too low over time), progesterone takes the hit.
The result? Estrogen dominance. And that can trigger a cascade of symptoms—and even increase risk for long-term conditions like fibroids, breast tenderness, and other estrogen-related concerns.
🛠️ Simple Strategies to Calm the Storm
You don’t always need another hormone or medication to feel better. Sometimes the most powerful tools are the simplest:
- Breathe Deeply
Stress makes us tense, especially in the chest and shoulders. Deep belly breathing (through the diaphragm) can immediately switch your body out of “fight-or-flight.” - Use Rhythmic Movement
Activities like rebounding, hula hooping, or even slow dancing can activate the vagus nerve—your body’s calming switch. - Tune Into Your Body
Check in: Are your shoulders tense? Jaw clenched? Belly tight? This awareness alone is powerful and can help you consciously release stress.
Consistency with these tools is key. Stress isn’t going away, but your ability to respond to it can improve dramatically.
🔬 Why Testing Your Hormones Matters
You can’t fix what you don’t measure.
In my practice, I use comprehensive lab testing to assess your stress and sex hormones, and how they interact. Combined with a detailed intake process, we create a personalized, root-cause plan to help you feel like yourself again.
If you’re navigating symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, disrupted sleep, weight gain, or mood swings, testing gives us clarity and direction.
🎯 Ready for a Personalized Plan?
You deserve real answers and a path forward.
✨ I offer a complimentary 15-minute consult where we can talk through your symptoms and see if it’s a good fit to work together. Book your Complimentary Consultation today and let’s get you back to feeling energized, focused, and hormonally balanced—no more guessing, no more pushing through.
Join our Private Facebook Group called Functional Medicine for Hormonal Imbalances, where nearly 7,000 women are actively looking to discover the root cause of their hormone imbalance symptoms and root cause solutions for long-term success and balance.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this email is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional.
