Simple Tips for the Top 5 Hormone Imbalances in Women over 40
Hormones can be a rollercoaster for women in their 40s, especially when transitioning to perimenopause. But it doesn’t HAVE to be awful – common doesn’t mean normal!
Feeling stuck with how you feel & need a reset, but not sure where to start?
I got you covered here!
If you’re new here, then hi, I’m Allison!
I help women Look, Feel and Function at THEIR personal best using a whole body, functional medicine approach to health. Without using extremes or cookie cutter approaches, I provide the framework AND the support needed to create optimal energy, balanced hormones, and a body that you feel comfortable and confident in! Overcoming hormone imbalances is a HUGE way I help my clients improve their health & optimize results. Check out how to work with me here.
Here are simple lifestyle strategies to overcome the top 5 Hormone Imbalances women face in their 40s!
- Cortisol Imbalance
Symptoms: Belly fat, fatigue, “wired but tired”, cravings, 3am wake ups
Top Tips:
Get morning light exposure. Optimizing your circadian rhythm will support the natural cycle and release of cortisol levels, improving your energy and sleep quality.
Brain dump & journal: write out your stressors, to dos, etc. can help reduce the mental load, constant low level worrying, which can help you stay less stressed, more focused, and sleep better.
2. Estrogen Dominance
Symptoms: PMS, headaches & migraines, heavy cycles, bloating
Top Tips:
Switch to quality foods & self care/environmental products: Conventional meats, dairy, personal care & cleaning products all contain xenoestrogens, toxic chemicals that raise and alter your own estrogen levels.
Improve your Gut & Liver Health: Boost detoxification pathways to rid those excess hormones: hydration, fiber, physical movement are all great places to start. Click here to read more on health detoxing.
3. Low Progesterone
Symptoms: short or irregular cycles, lack of ovulation, insomnia, irritability, anxiety
This hormone WILL fluctuate in perimenopause and also will decrease with chronic stress.
Top Tips:
Manage your stress: reduce and delegate what you can. Create mini (5-10 min) breaks during the day to help reset your nervous system and create safety within the body
Add in B vitamins, Vitamin C and consider adaptogens to support the adrenals and our response to stress
4. Insulin Resistance and Blood Sugar Imbalances
Symptoms: Cravings, energy slumps, belly fat, trouble focusing, “food noise”
This is very common, because when estrogen fluctuates/decreases, it makes us LESS insulin sensitive, meaning we are more likely to have issues with our metabolic health.
Top Tips:
Balance your meals with protein, fiber and fat – Avoid eating carbs alone to prevent blood sugar spikes.
Move your body, especially after meals, to stabilize blood sugar levels. Click here to read more on this!
5. Hypothyroidism
Symptoms: Weight gain, trouble losing weight, brain fog, hair loss, fatigue, depression and low motivation, cold body temperature
Chronic stress and hormone shifts like during postpartum and perimenopause can exacerbate or lead to thyroid dysfunction.
Top Tips:
Avoid gluten, as this mimics the thyroid cells, over time will negatively affect the natural production of thyroid hormone
Support the nutrients you need for thyroid functioning: quality amino acids (protein) Vit A, B vitamins, Vit D, iron, iodine and selenium.
These are great starting points to help supporting healthy hormones – but here’s the thing:
You have to do what is right for YOUR body and exact hormone issues.
You need to do them CONSISTENTLY.
Many women get information, but then they get stuck because they don’t know how to apply it (realistically) in their life. Is this you?! Most of my clients come to me this way.
If you’re experiencing unexplained weight gain or other symptoms of hormonal imbalance, it’s important to with a professional who can help you identify the underlying cause and develop a personalized plan (hint, like me, I can help!)
With my holistic approach, I take your WHOLE health into consideration. When I work with a client, I look at their health with a root cause approach, aiming to connect the dots between physiology, lifestyle and your wellness, so you can stop wondering “why”.
From there, I provide a comprehensive recommendations, along with accountability coaching, testing recommendations, and community support, to ensure progress and sustainable results!
➡️ Sounds like what YOU need? Come join my community!
Visit my services page here, and feel free to book a free consult call to see if you would be a good fit!
