Unless you’ve done diagnostic testing (which I do encourage at some point), you’re probably somewhat unsure of the root cause of your hormonal imbalance symptoms, as well as how many (or what kind) of hormonal imbalance you actually have.

More than likely you know something has shifted or feels off in your body, and you’re here to alleviate those symptoms keeping you from feeling and looking your best.

Truly, the more you know about your specific hormonal imbalances (triggers, causes, etc.) the more effectively you can heal them moving forward.

So if you’re not quite sure what hormonal imbalance you have, this post will help you narrow in on your symptoms (as well as root causes) in order to heal them effectively moving forward.

You can also take this free hormonal imbalance quiz to investigate further.

***Keep in mind your hormones are intricately linked, so chances are you most likely have more than one imbalance at play (especially if the issue is ongoing or chronic).

Need a detailed plan with delicious recipes, effective lifestyle tips and targeted supplements to support you in healing your hormonal imbalances? Learn more here. 

HIGH CORTISOL

Triggers/Causes of High Cortisol

• +  Chronic mental, emotional, or physical stress
• +  Over-exercising, extreme dieting, and eating disorders
• +  Food allergies or sensitivities such as wheat and other gluten-containing products, dairy, corn, soy, and sugar

Common Symptoms of High Cortisol Include

• + Feeling tired yet wired
• +  Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• +  Oligomenorrhea (infrequent periods)
• +  Amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation)
• +  Decreased fertility
• +  Inability to concentrate, or constantly feeling distracted
• +  Anxiety or nervousness
• +  High blood pressure
• +  High blood sugar

Hormone-Balancing Tips for High Cortisol

• +  Lower sugar intake (which triggers cortisol release) by swapping refined flours and packaged baked goods for refined-sugar-free options (all recipes in this plan work)
• +  Eat more dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher) to help satisfy your sugar cravings while reducing your cortisol levels
• +  Work to support fatigued adrenals by developing a nightly sleep routine and consider supplements like 5-HTP or a B-Complex Formula **Highly recommend consulting with your practitioner on these first
• +  Swap intense forms of exercise like cardio or HIIT for more low-impact, relaxing options like yoga or reformer pilates
• +  Seek out the most effective testing methods to get concrete answers (see testing section in this guide)

LOW CORTISOL

Triggers/Causes of Low Cortisol

• +  Long periods of high cortisol output (see above)
• +  Addison’s Disease
• +  Experience of significant trauma
• +  Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (a collection of genetic disorders that can affect the adrenal glands)

Common Symptoms of Low Cortisol Include

• +  Fatigue, ranging from low-level, but chronic, to crippling fatigue
• +  Difficulty staying asleep
• +  Difficulty waking in the morning, and/or feeling unrested after getting adequate sleep
• +  Low blood pressure
• +  Dizziness, especially upon standing up
• +  Decreased tolerance for stress
• +  Crying for no apparent reason
• +  Feeling depressed or unable to cope

Hormone-Balancing Tips For Low Cortisol

• +  Try swapping alcohol or caffeine (which interfere with your sleep cycle and can contribute to fatigued adrenals) with a hormone-balancing hot chocolate or an herbal tea like peppermint or ginger
• +  Add in more healing, nutrient-rich foods like bone broth, wild-caught fish abundant in omega-3’s or probiotic-rich foods like coconut yogurt
• +  Work to support fatigued adrenals by developing a nightly sleep routine, and consider supplements like 5-HTP or a B-Complex Formula **I highly recommend consulting with your practitioner on these first
• +  Sneak in relaxing forms of self-care daily. This could be keeping your calendar open (i.e. saying no to social obligations), a yoga flow, meditation practice or walking outside
• +  Seek out the most effective testing methods to get more concrete answers (see testing section in this guide)

LOW PROGESTERONE

Triggers/Causes of Low Progesterone

• +  Long-term stress, or high cortisol (see above)
• +  Exposure to synthetic estrogens or xenoestrogens
• +  Hormonal birth control, most notably the birth control pill
• +  Lack of ovulation

Common Symptoms of Low Progesterone Include

• +  Difficulty getting or staying pregnant (infertility)
• +  Breakthrough bleeding during the second half of the menstrual cycle
• +  PMS or PMDD
• +  Menstrual migraines
• +  A heavier flow during menstruation
• +  Irregular cycles
• +  Bloating in the abdomen
• +  Swollen and/or painful breasts

Hormone-Balancing Tips for Low Progesterone

• + Incorporate more stress-management into your daily routine (yoga, breathing, meditation, baths, walks, nature, etc.)
• + Eat more foods that support progesterone production, such as walnuts, bananas, cruciferous veggies, whole grains and shellfish
• + Try taking a magnesium supplement
• + Start swapping endocrine disrupting beauty products for cleaner options
• + Seek out the most effective testing methods to get more concrete answers (see testing section in this guide)

EXCESS ESTROGEN

Triggers/Causes of Excess Estrogen

• +  High cortisol (see above) which lowers progesterone output and blocks progesterone receptors
• +  Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
• +  Xenoestrogens, like BPA and phthalates, which mimic estrogen in the body
• +  Carrying excess weight

Common Symptoms of Excess Estrogen Include

• +  Heavy bleeding
• +  Breast tenderness or cysts
• +  PMS or PMDD
• +  Fibroids
• +  Endometriosis
• +  Menstrual migraines
• +  Moodiness and frequent meltdowns
• +  Depression or weepiness
• +  Mid-cycle pain
• +  Brain fog

Hormone-Balancing Tips For Excess Estrogen

• +  Focus on detoxifying recipes that support your body in eliminating excess estrogen, especially those that contain cruciferous veggies and herbs like cilantro
• +  Try replacing any endocrine disrupting plastic containers with glass & toxic beauty products with cleaner options
• +  Consider taking a DIM supplement, which helps your body get rid of excess estrogen
• +  Seek out the most effective testing methods to get more concrete answers (see testing section in this guide)

LOW ESTROGEN

Triggers/Causes of Low Estrogen

• +  High stress, resulting in high cortisol levels
• +  Disordered eating
• +  Nutrient deficiencies, due to poor dietary practices or poor absorption
• +  Over-exercising, especially in conjunction with calorie restriction
• +  Hormonal birth control, most notably the birth control pill

Common Symptoms of Low Estrogen Include

• +  Oligomenorrhea
• +  Amenorrhea
• +  Low sex drive
• +  Vaginal dryness
• +  Painful sex
• +  Hot flashes or night sweats
• +  Joint pain
• +  Dry skin and eyes
• +  Depression
• +  Melasma
• +  Poor cognitive function, especially memory
• +  Menopause/perimenopause

Hormone-Balancing Tips for Low Estrogen

• +  Consider switching to a non-hormonal form of birth control (if currently on one)
• +  Eat more nutrient-rich foods that support estrogen production such as flax and pumpkin seeds, whole grains, berries and fresh fruit
• +  Seek out the most effective testing methods to get more concrete answers (see testing section in this guide)

EXCESS ANDROGENS

Triggers/Causes of Excess Androgens

• +  High insulin levels, which cause the ovaries to produce more testosterone
• +  Using hormonal birth control with synthetic progestins
• +  Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• + High cortisol from chronic stress
• + Excess body fat can cause excess estrogen, which can affect the production and use of androgens in women
• + Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Common Symptoms of Excess Androgens Include

• +  Unstable blood sugar, known as hypo- or hyperglycemia
• +  Infrequent ovulation
• +  Menstrual cycles longer than 35 days
• +  Ovarian cysts
• +  Mid-cycle pain
• +  Acne or oily skin
• +  Hair growth on the face
• +  Hair loss on the head
• +  PCOS

Hormone-Balancing Tips For Excess Androgens

• +  Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water in between meals (which helps to curb snacking + balance blood sugar)
• +  Balance out insulin levels by ensuring each meal/snack has a good balance of protein, fat and fiber (every single recipe in this plan is applicable)
• +  Try adding more Ceylon Cinnamon to your beverages or taking a magnesium supplement
• +  Seek out the most effective testing methods to get more concrete answers (see testing section in this guide)

LOW ANDROGENS

Triggers/Causes of Low Androgens

• +  Dysfunction in the adrenal glands or the ovaries
• +  Ovarian removal, low ovarian function or ovarian failure
• +  The birth control pill, or other types of hormonal birth control

Common Symptoms of Low Androgens Include

• +  Low libido
• +  Painful sex
• +  Less powerful orgasm
• + Lower self-confidence
• + Lack of lubrication
• + Less muscle mass
• + Decreased motivation

Hormone-Balancing Tips for Low Androgens

• +  Consider switching to a non-hormonal form of birth control (if you’re currently on one)
• +  Work to support fatigued adrenals by developing a nightly sleep routine, and consider supplements like 5-HTP or a B-Complex Formula **I highly recommend consulting with your practitioner on these first
• +  Load up on cruciferous veggies like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, arugula, bok choy, etc. that will support your adrenals
• +  Seek out the most effective testing methods to get more concrete answers (see testing section in this guide)

LOW THYROID

Triggers/Causes of Low Thyroid

• +  Inadequate production of thyroid hormone due to excess or insufficient cortisol production
• +  Endocrine disrupting chemicals known as xenoestrogens
• +  Nutrient deficiencies like selenium, iodine, vitamin D, and certain amino acids
• +  Gut conditions which affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrients
• +  Poor conversion of T4 to the active T3 hormone
• +  Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the thyroid
• +  Birth/postpartum

Common Symptoms of Low Thyroid Include

• +  Dry skin and hair
• +  Hair loss
• +  Brittle nails
• +  Cold hands and feet
• +  Sensitivity to cold
• +  Fatigue
• +  Depression
• + Unexplained, rapid weight gain or stubborn fat that is hard to lose
• + Heavy periods
• + Low sex drive
• + Fertility challenges or miscarriage

Hormone-Balancing Tips for Low Thyroid

• +  Consume foods rich in minerals your thyroid needs to thrive. This post has some great options
• +  Steer clear of gluten, grains, legumes and minimize sugar, which can trigger a thyroid autoimmune condition such as Hashimoto’s
• +  As long as iodine levels in the body are adequate, the benefits of eating cruciferous veggies far outweigh the harm. That being said, I advise you to eat them cooked, which significantly reduces goitrogenic compounds that can interfere with thyroid health
• +  Consider switching to a non-hormonal form of birth control (if on one) as birth control pills deplete the body of crucial nutrients required for the thyroid to work properly
• +  Try taking a supplement rich in trace minerals that your thyroid depends on to function optimally
• +  Start swapping endocrine and thyroid disrupting beauty products for cleaner options
• +  Seek out the most effective testing methods to get more concrete answers (see testing section in this guide)