Top 7 Signs Your Hormones Are Out of Whack (and What to Do About It)

You’re not crazy. You’re not lazy. And no, it’s not “just stress” or “just your age.”
If you’re feeling tired, irritable, puffy, moody, spotty, or stuck in a cycle of exhaustion and cravings — I’m going to go out on a limb and say your hormones are likely out of whack.

Most women are walking around with some level of hormonal imbalance and don’t even know it. Why? Because we’ve been taught to normalise symptoms that are anything but normal.

Let’s break the silence and the cycle.

1. You Feel Tired… All. The. Time.

You wake up tired. You crash at 3pm. You could nap standing up.

Chronic fatigue is one of the most common signs of hormone imbalance, especially when cortisol (your stress hormone) is dysregulated or your thyroid is sluggish.

🩺 The root:

• Low cortisol in the morning
• High cortisol at night (tired but wired)
• Underactive thyroid
• Blood sugar swings

🍳 What helps:

• Eat protein with every meal (especially breakfast)
• Don’t skip meals
• Test your thyroid properly (not just TSH!)
• Reduce caffeine — sorry, I know

2. You’re Moody, Anxious, or Emotionally Volatile

One minute you’re weepy at a puppy video, the next you’re irrationally snapping at your partner for breathing too loud.

Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol all play a role in mood. When they’re off, you’re off.

🩺 The root:

• Low progesterone (calming, soothing)
• High estrogen or estrogen dominance
• Cortisol overload

🍳 What helps:

• Magnesium glycinate at night
• B vitamins, especially B6
• Seed cycling (yes, it works!)
• Ditch the ultra-processed junk food

3. Your Period Is a Monthly Horror Show

Heavy bleeding, cramps, clotting, mood swings, PMS rage, breast tenderness — sound familiar?

A healthy period shouldn’t require time off work, a hot water bottle glued to your belly, or rage-texting your ex.

🩺 The root:

• Estrogen dominance
• Low progesterone
• Poor detox/liver sluggishness

🍳 What helps:

• Cruciferous veg (broccoli, cauliflower, kale) to help clear excess estrogen
• Track your cycle and support progesterone in the luteal phase

4. You’ve Got Stubborn Weight Gain (Especially Around the Belly)

You're eating “healthy,” exercising, and STILL the scales won’t budge — especially around your midsection.

This often points to insulin resistance or cortisol issues, both of which wreak havoc on hormones.

🩺 The root:

• Insulin resistance
• High cortisol
• Estrogen and testosterone imbalances

🍳 What helps:

• Prioritise protein and fibre
• Walk after meals
• Don’t overtrain (yes, too much HIIT can backfire)
• Get your insulin and blood sugar tested — not just glucose

5. Your Skin Is Breaking Out Like a Teenager

Chin acne? Jawline breakouts? Oily skin? Yep — that’s hormonal.

Adult acne is often tied to high androgens (like testosterone) and insulin resistance — both common in PCOS.

🩺 The root:

• Elevated androgens
• Poor gut health
• Blood sugar issues

🍳 What helps:

• Zinc (natural anti-androgen)
• Balance blood sugar with meals
• Reduce sugar
• Address gut health

6. You Have Low Sex Drive or Vaginal Dryness

Your brain wants to want it… but your body’s not getting the memo.

Low libido, vaginal dryness, pain during sex — all point to hormonal shifts, especially in the perimenopause years.

🩺 The root:

• Low estrogen or testosterone
• Cortisol burnout
• Thyroid imbalance

🍳 What helps:

• Healthy fats (hello, avocado)
• Vitamin E and omega-3s
• Address stress and adrenal fatigue

7. You’re Struggling with Sleep — Either Falling or Staying Asleep

If you’re staring at the ceiling at 2am, waking at 5am, or feeling wired at night, your circadian rhythm might be fried.

🩺 The root:

• Cortisol dysregulation
• Low progesterone
• Blood sugar dips overnight

🍳 What helps:

• Magnesium glycinate or L-theanine
• Small protein snack before bed
• No screens after 9pm
• Dim lights after dinner and get morning sunlight

What You Can Do (That Isn’t Just “Eat Healthy and Stress Less” 🙄)

Most women are told their symptoms are “just part of being a woman,” or they’re offered the Pill, antidepressants, or told to lose weight — without anyone asking why their body is struggling in the first place.

You deserve better. You deserve answers.

🧪 Functional lab testing can uncover what’s really going on — from cortisol to estrogen, thyroid to insulin.
🥦 Personalised nutrition can help you bring things back into balance naturally.
🧠 Lifestyle changes (that don’t feel like punishment) can restore your energy, mood, cycle, and sleep.

Want to Know If YOUR Hormones Are Out of Whack?

You’re not broken. You’re just out of balance — and that’s fixable.
Let’s get your energy, mood, skin, and cycle back in harmony.

Paula x
Nutritional Therapist & Women’s Health Specialist