Understanding Hormone Imbalance in Women: What Your Body Might Be Trying to Tell You

At Great Health Clinic, we often meet women who feel off but can’t quite explain why.

They’ll say things like:

“I’m exhausted, but I sleep eight hours.”

“My weight is climbing, and I haven’t changed my eating.”

“I just don’t feel like myself anymore.”

One possible cause? Hormone imbalance.

Let’s take a closer look at what that means—and what might be going on in your body.

What Are Hormones, Exactly?

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands in your endocrine system. They travel through your bloodstream, telling your organs and tissues how to function. Even a small shift in hormone levels can create noticeable changes in how you feel.

What Causes Hormone Imbalance in Women?

Hormone levels naturally fluctuate throughout life. But imbalances can occur when your body isn’t able to self-regulate due to:

• Chronic stress

• Poor sleep

• Nutrient deficiencies

• Perimenopause or menopause

• Thyroid dysfunction

• Blood sugar instability

• Sudden weight changes

• Certain medications

• Postpartum recovery
  
  

These shifts may be subtle at first but can build up over time.

Common Signs of Hormone Imbalance

Not every woman will experience all of these, but here are some of the most common signs:

• Fatigue, even after a full night’s sleep

• Mood swings, anxiety, or low mood

• Irregular periods or heavy bleeding

• Weight gain (especially around the midsection)

• Hair thinning or dry, brittle skin

• Brain fog or poor concentration

• Low libido

• Sleep disturbances

• Feeling cold or having cold hands/feet

• Bloating and digestive issues

Which Hormones Are Usually Involved?

Here are some of the major players:

• Estrogen & Progesterone: These fluctuate naturally with the menstrual cycle and decrease with age. Imbalances can affect mood, weight, periods, and more.

• Cortisol: Your stress hormone. When elevated long-term, it can disrupt sleep, increase inflammation, and affect blood sugar.

• Thyroid Hormones (T3, T4, TSH): These control metabolism and energy. Low levels can cause fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog.

• Insulin: Helps regulate blood sugar. If resistance builds up, it can contribute to weight gain, inflammation, and fatigue.

• Testosterone: Women need it too, just in smaller amounts. Low levels can affect strength, mood, and libido.
  
  

How Is It Diagnosed?

Hormone imbalance isn’t always visible on standard bloodwork.

At Great Health Clinic, when we test hormones, we often use a combination of:

• Full thyroid panels

• Sex hormone panels (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone)

• Cortisol (sometimes with saliva testing)

• Blood sugar and insulin markers

• Nutrient panels (vitamin D, B12, magnesium, etc.)
  
  

Symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle context are just as important as the lab numbers themselves.

Final Thoughts from Our Team

Hormone imbalances are common, and treatable but often overlooked.

If you’ve been told “everything looks fine” and still don’t feel right, it may be worth a deeper look. Even subtle imbalances can have real effects on your well-being.

Understanding your hormones is one step toward understanding your body. And when you understand your body, you can support it with care, intention, and clarity.