Hormonal Havoc and How I’m Supporting My Body Naturally
Hormones are chemical messengers that have profound effects on my mental, physical, and emotional health. When they're out of balance, PMS, fatigue, and mood swings become unwelcome companions in my daily life. Even small changes in hormone levels can have negative effects, creating extra stress on the body.
In fact, hormones aren't stagnant, they change constantly, often by the hour depending on the time of day and what I'm doing. These fluctuations explain why my pms symptoms can feel so overwhelming, from extreme fatigue that makes getting out of bed a challenge to mood swings that seem to come out of nowhere. For years, I wondered what is pms really doing to my body, and why traditional approaches weren't giving me relief. According to research, weight gain is directly associated with hormonal imbalances that may lead to complications in insulin sensitivity and reproductive health.
Despite these challenges, I discovered that natural approaches could help support my body's hormonal balance. From hydration (we need about 64 ounces of water daily) to dietary changes and specific supplements, I found ways to manage my symptoms without prescription medications. This journey led me to try several natural remedies, including Ora Organic's hormone support products that became game-changers in my routine.
Building a Foundation for Hormonal Health
My struggle with unpredictable symptoms led me to focus on building strong hormonal health. Small changes that I made consistently reshaped how I felt each day.
Why hydration matters more than I thought
The connection between my water intake and hormone health wasn't clear until I learned how crucial hydration is for hormone production and movement in my body. My goal became drinking 8-10 glasses daily (about 2-2.5 liters), and it made a real difference. We found that water helps clean out chemicals that mess with hormones and helps move nutrients and hormones through our system.
My headaches became less frequent and I felt less bloated during my cycle. This makes sense because hormone changes during menstruation can cause water retention, tiredness, and headaches but proper hydration helped with all of these. The first two weeks had me running to the bathroom constantly, but my body adapted and started using the water more efficiently.
Eating whole foods and cutting out processed snacks
A whole food diet meant choosing foods in their most natural form. I focused on:
Healthy fats like avocados, nuts, and olive oil that help create balanced hormones
Protein-rich foods such as eggs, chicken, and legumes that support muscle function and hormone balance
Fiber-rich options that help our bodies remove extra hormones
My energy levels became more stable and mood swings decreased when I cut back on refined sugars and processed foods. Research shows that the Western diet (we mainly eat refined sugars and animal products) leads to higher estrogen levels, while Mediterranean-style eating with whole grains and fish helps lower estrogen.
The power of cruciferous vegetables in my meals
My biggest surprise came from adding cruciferous vegetables to daily meals. Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage contain special compounds called glucosinolates. These turn into indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and diindolylmethane (DIM), which help clean out excess estrogen.
My PMS symptoms improved when I added 1-2 cups of these vegetables daily for two weeks before my period. These vegetables break down and remove estrogen after it completes its job, which stops it from recycling and causing hormone imbalances. Light sautéing or steaming works best to keep the nutrients while reducing compounds that might affect thyroid function.
How I Tackled My Most Frustrating Symptoms
After establishing healthier habits, I focused on tackling specific symptoms that were making daily life challenging. Taking action against these frustrations required a personalized approach rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.
Managing mood swings with mindfulness and journaling
The emotional rollercoaster of hormone fluctuations led me to explore mindfulness techniques. Studies show mindfulness regulates mood by calming the nervous system and supporting neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are directly affected by hormonal changes. Moreover, regular meditation helps lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone that can worsen PMS symptoms.
I started with just 10 minutes of meditation each morning, focusing on my breathing. Throughout the day, I'd pause to check in with myself whenever mood swings hit. This practice helped me observe my emotions without being overwhelmed by them.
Alongside mindfulness, journaling became my emotional outlet. Research indicates that people who practice gratitude through journaling show fewer signs of stress and anxiety, sleep better, and are less likely to experience depression. I kept a small notebook by my bed, writing down three things I was grateful for each evening and noting any emotional triggers I noticed.
What helped with my extreme fatigue
Tackling my persistent fatigue required understanding its multiple causes. For me, it stemmed from disrupted sleep due to night sweats, hormonal fluctuations, and lifestyle factors.
My approach included:
Supplementing with magnesium before bed to promote relaxation and deeper sleep
Incorporating 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days, even just brisk walking
Creating a consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine
Tracking my PMS symptoms to find patterns
Finally, I started recording my symptoms in a tracking app for at least two menstrual cycles. This helped me identify clear patterns like how my mood dipped significantly 5-7 days before my period, and how certain foods triggered bloating and fatigue.
By monitoring these patterns, I could prepare in advance for challenging days. The tracking also revealed environmental factors that amplified my symptoms, including poor sleep and sugar consumption. This awareness allowed me to make proactive adjustments instead of simply reacting to symptoms as they appeared.
Natural Tools That Supported My Journey
Natural remedies helped restore my hormonal balance, beyond just changing my lifestyle. These tools became vital allies that helped me manage my symptoms.
My experience with Ora Organic's hormone support line
My search for natural options led me to Ora Organic's Hormonious supplement. The blend contains adaptogens like ashwagandha and maca root that boost stress resilience and balance hormones. My sleep quality improved and mood swings decreased within weeks. Other users report similar results, with one saying: "I immediately felt different physically" after just one day.
Supplements that actually made a difference
Taking magnesium became my nightly ritual. It helps regulate cortisol and supports progesterone production. Vitamin D is vital for reproductive health, and its deficiency links to irregular cycles and severe menopause symptoms. Omega-3s reduce inflammation that leads to hormone imbalance.
Herbs like maca and chasteberry I used
Peruvian maca root boosted my energy levels and reduced hot flashes. Research shows it naturally balances hormones. Chasteberry (vitex) became another key supplement in my routine. It supports hormonal balance by lowering prolactin levels. This stabilized my menstrual cycle and eased PMS symptoms like headaches and breast tenderness.
How I improved my sleep naturally
Poor sleep disrupted my hormones significantly. A consistent sleep schedule and cool bedroom temperature (60-67°F) made a huge difference. I drink chamomile tea before bed and limit screen time to help my body know it's time to rest.
What I Learned About Hormones and Self-Care
My biggest change in hormone health came from shifting my mindset, not from supplements or diet changes. My exploration helped me find several basic truths about hormonal health.
Understanding that hormones are meant to fluctuate
I learned that hormones don't stay constant. These chemical messengers naturally rise and fall hormones naturally rise and fall during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause, and throughout the day. What I used to see as "imbalance" was just my body's normal rhythm. Hormones follow a circadian pattern, and fighting these natural cycles only added more stress.
Letting go of the idea of perfect balance
"Balance is not a static number or magic formula," a hormone specialist explained. This view freed me from chasing something impossible. My focus shifted to hormonal harmony where my body's systems worked smoothly and my symptoms became manageable. The goal wasn't eliminating every PMS symptom or fatigue but understanding my body's patterns.
Why consistency matters more than perfection
Regular habits work better than perfect ones. Sleep became vital since even small disruptions affect hormone production. Regular meals helped control my cortisol levels and reduced stress symptoms. Self-care isn't just another task, it's the foundation that supports everything else.
Conclusion
Life taught me valuable lessons about my body and natural hormone support through some tough times. Along the way, I found that there was power in small, consistent changes. A foundation of good hydration, whole foods, and mindfulness helps manage symptoms without medication.
Our bodies aren't broken when hormones fluctuate - they just respond to natural cycles. This new view freed me from unrealistic expectations and helped build a healthier relationship with my body. While my symptoms didn't completely go away, they became manageable enough to function well even on challenging days.
The supplements I took were without doubt a vital part of my recovery. Ora Organic's hormone support products gave my body the targeted nutrition it needed to find balance. These well-laid-out supplements completed my hormonal health puzzle - something I suggest to anyone dealing with similar symptoms.
I don't see hormonal changes as problems anymore but as signals from my body. These changes tell me when I need better nutrition, rest, or stress management. This experience showed me that working with my body creates a harmony that no prescription could match. Natural hormone support hasn't just helped my physical symptoms - it has changed my whole relationship with myself.
If you’re dealing with PMS, fatigue, mood swings, or that ongoing feeling that your hormones are running the show, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Supporting hormone health doesn’t have to mean extreme diets or jumping straight to medication. Sometimes, it starts with slowing down, listening to your body, and giving it the right kind of support.
That’s why I’ve come to trust Ora Organic’s Women’s Health supplements as part of my routine. Their clean, plant-based formulas support hormone balance, stress response, and overall wellness in a way that feels gentle and sustainable. For me, they became a simple, consistent way to support my body naturally without adding more overwhelm.
If you’d like support understanding your symptoms, addressing root causes, or building a realistic plan that supports your hormones, nervous system, and overall well-being, our team at Shoreside Therapies is here to help. Through VitalMinds, we work with clients to create practical, whole-body strategies that support long-term balance not quick fixes.
You don’t have to push through exhaustion or hormonal chaos alone. With the right support, education, and tools, it’s possible to move toward steadier energy and a healthier relationship with your body, one informed, compassionate step at a time.
