A Functional Guide to Hormone Balance
Understanding Symptoms, Root Causes, & Natural Healing
Feeling “off” lately?
Constant fatigue & burnout
Mood swings & brain fog
Restless sleeps
Bloating or digestive issues
Low libido
PMS, painful periods, or irregular cycles
Stubborn midsection weight
Infertility or frequent miscarriages
Overwhelm & anxiety
Acne, rashes & skin flares
Do you feel these so frequently that you’ve started to wonder if this is just your “normal”?
Spoiler alert: They are NOT NORMAL.. These symptoms are messages from your body. They’re common—but that doesn’t make them normal. In fact, they’re signs of hormone imbalance that deserve attention, compassion, and support.
Hormones impact EVERYTHING- your energy, mood, digestion, skin, sleep, weight, immune function, and more.. They are SO MUCH MORE than just your period, fertility, or menopause.
Your period is like a monthly report card from your body. It’s giving you insight into your hormonal health—if you know how to read the signs. So, instead of suppressing, ignoring, and “pushing through” those symptoms each month, it’s time to start LISTENING and UNDERSTANDING your body’s messages.
Symptoms of Common Hormone Imbalances
Hormonal imbalances can show up differently in every body. The symptoms you experience depend on which hormones are affected—and often, more than one is involved. Below are the most common hormone imbalances I see in my practice.
Hypothyroidism / Low Thyroid
The number one thyroid-related symptom I see is long, heavy periods—and it’s often dismissed. Other symptoms include:
Extreme fatigue
Always feeling cold
Constipation
Depression
Brain fog
Headaches
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Dry, itchy skin
2. Estrogen Dominance (Excess Estrogen)
Excess estrogen can be caused by poor detoxification, blood sugar issues, stress, or environmental exposures. You may experience:
Heavy periods with clots
Painful, crampy periods
Long periods (7+ days)
Breast tenderness or fibrocystic breasts
Fibroids
Premenstrual migraines or headaches
Bloating or puffiness
Mood swings or irritability
3. Low Estrogen
Low estrogen is especially common in overworked, undernourished, or perimenopausal women. Symptoms include:
Light or missing periods
Irregular cycles
Short periods (under 4 days)
Vaginal dryness
Low libido
Frequent UTIs
Infertility
Depression
Brain fog
4. Excess Androgens
Often associated with androgen-dominant PCOS, excess androgens can trigger:
Oily skin
Acne (especially jawline)
Irregular cycles (35+ days)
Hair loss or thinning
Facial/body hair growth
Irritability or anger
Blood sugar issues
Body odor changes
5. Low Progesterone
Progesterone is your calming, sleep-promoting, mood-balancing hormone. Low levels can result in:
Anxiety or irritability, especially pre-period
Spotting before your period
Brown or rusty colored bleeding
Irregular cycles
Overwhelm
Poor sleep
Miscarriages
Your Hormones Work Like an Orchestra
Your hormones don’t function in isolation. They work in harmony like a symphony—so when one is out of tune, others often follow.
That’s why healing hormone imbalances requires understanding the bigger picture.
By getting to the root cause of what’s going on in YOUR body , you can successfully implement a personalized healing strategy. As a functional health practitioner I use functional testing & root cause healing for lasting results.
What Causes Hormone Imbalances?
Hormones don’t just “go out of whack” for no reason. If your hormones are imbalanced, they are reacting to deeper issues. Think of hormone symptoms like the engine lights on your car—they’re not the root problem, but a signal something needs attention.
Most Common Root Causes of Hormone Imbalance:
🩸 Blood sugar dysregulation
😵 Stress and cortisol imbalances
🥦 Nutrient deficiencies
💩 Gut dysfunction
🔥 Chronic inflammation
🧪 Sluggish liver detoxification
The key to sustainable hormone balance is uncovering and addressing the root cause in your body—not just managing the symptoms.
Book your Complimentary Women's Health Discovery Call to discuss a root cause approach naturally & sustainably.
Where to Begin: Foundational Hormone Balancing Tips
Balancing your hormones starts with balancing your body. Focus on these pillars of foundational hormone health:
1. Nourishment
✔ Prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods
✔ Balance your blood sugar with protein, fat, and fiber at every meal
✔ Eat enough—under-eating drives imbalances
2. Stress & Nervous System Support
✔ Set realistic expectations and say “no” more often
✔ Take micro-pauses throughout your day to breathe or stretch
✔ Spend time outdoors daily—even 10 minutes helps
3. Gut Health
✔ Eat a variety of colorful, fiber-rich foods
✔ Support with prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods
✔ Slow down and chew your food well
4. Detox Support
✔ Add liver-supportive foods like arugula, dandelion greens, and grapefruit
✔ Avoid excess alcohol, synthetic fragrances, and plastics
✔ Support lymph flow with dry brushing and breathwork
5. Movement
✔ Move your body daily—walks, stretching, or chores count
✔ Strength train 2–4x/week to support metabolism and hormone balance
✔ Avoid overdoing intense cardio if you’re in a healing phase
Ready for a More Personalized Hormone Healing Plan?
I’ve created a step-by-step roadmap for these key areas inside my Nourished Woman’s Membership . With an individualized approach, intentional protocols, and functional support- we will uncover what your body truly needs and implement personalized protocols for root cause healing.
Final Thoughts: Your Symptoms Are a Signal
Hormones are connected to every other system in your body - which means they have a big impact on your energy levels, moods, digestion, skin, sleep, and more.
Hormone imbalances are a SYMPTOM from your body that something DEEPER needs support. And while hormone issues are common, they’re not normal. If you’re focusing on only the hormones themselves - your missing the mark and won’t feel sustainable relief.
Lasting hormone balance starts with blood sugar, nourishment, stress, gut health, and detox pathways. When you uncover the root drivers in your body, you can stop chasing symptoms and start your journey to true hormone balance.
Working with a trusted practitioner through functional hormone support will help you develop a personalized healing plan so you can get back to feeling energized, happy, confident, and calm in your own body again!
Book your Complimentary Women’s Health Discovery Call.
Always in your healing corner,
Xo, Amy K - Certified Functional Nutritionist , Holistic Women's Health & Autoimmunity