Balance Hormones Naturally: How to Manage Symptoms Effectively

(1) Learn about balancing your hormones around perimenopause and potentially reducing associated perimenopause symptoms. Yes, that all-too-familiar ‘hormone chaos’ typically ensues as the hormonal shifts begin on the way to menopause. But there is so much that can be done about it once you understand the bigger picture of the Hormone Hierarchy, such as the negative effects of stress, chronically elevated cortisol, dysregulated progesterone and more…

Hormones. People usually stand there, tut and roll their eyes at ‘Hormones’. And when we think of hormones we probably think just of our sex hormones — oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone — after all, these are the guilty culprits, right?

Well, that’s where you could be missing something. These sex hormones you conjure up in your mind at the very mention of ‘The Dreaded Hormones’, are actually just the messengers. The middlemen of the endocrine system, if you will.

The endocrine system basically refers to hormones, if you look at it plainly. 

The endocrine system is thought of as the body’s messaging network, sending hormones from glands to organs to regulate energy, growth, mood, and so much more. It is a system that works hard to keep everything balanced and functioning smoothly for us. But we all know it doesn't take much for things to go awry.

You don’t need us to tell you that hormones rule the roost!

We get it you’re probably still sitting there seething, “Bloody Hormones!”. But, before we get into it - it is super important to understand that you cannot effectively tackle secondary hormones until you’ve balanced the primary ones. 

Picture the endocrine system like a chain reaction. Here, certain hormones higher up in the "hormone hierarchy" always call the shots first. If you balance these upstream messengers,  you’ve got a solid foundation for keeping everything else, like your oestrogen and testosterone, in line.

So glad you asked! It’s about time we get those ducks in a row. 

In this pile, you’ve got your insulin, cortisol, and thyroid hormones. They’re essential to life and all the other hormones are largely dependent on them. 

These are your sex hormones: 

Oestrogens

Found in higher levels in females, oestrogens are responsible for many effects throughout the body and brain. Levels decline significantly around the time of menopause.

Progesterone

A reproductive hormone that plays a big role in pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause.

Androgens

Found in higher levels in males, but are also present in females. Our androgens, such as testosterone and DHEA, preside over many things like sex drive or regulating muscle and fat tissue. 

Sex hormones do indeed play a big role in sexual development and vibrant health, but they aren’t strictly necessary for survival. That’s the major difference between the primary and secondary groups.

Want to know who is Top Dog? It isn’t always that straightforward. The levels of importance of each hormone in particular will depend on the individual. Due to many variations in our health histories, we all have a unique hormonal fingerprint.

We have briefly mentioned the thyroid. And, yep, believe it or not, your thyroid and gut health have a pretty big role to play in terms of the outcomes on your sex hormone health. Allow us to explain.

The thyroid is the body’s power generator. It sets the pace for metabolism, energy, and even how other hormones get their jobs done. When it’s all ticking along smoothly, everything else has an easier time staying in balance.

How a wobbly thyroid rocks the boat

When the thyroid’s off-kilter, the rest of the hormone crew feels it too. If it’s running too slow (hello, hypothyroidism!), energy drops, mood dips, and detox slows down. If it’s cranked up too high (yep, you’ve guessed it, hyperthyroidism), hormones like oestrogen and testosterone can end up on a rollercoaster, creating all kinds of untold chaos.

Once we’ve balanced blood sugar, adrenal, and thyroid levels, it’s time to focus on the main detox hub: the gut.

Moving swiftly on to cholesterol now. Despite what you’ve been told, good ol’ cholesterol isn’t just for heart health; it’s also pretty foundational when it comes to hormone production, too. 

Your ‘Building Blocks’ for balance

Lipid-derived hormones, also known as lipid-soluble hormones, are hormones that come from fats or lipids, they’re are often structurally similar to cholesterol. And, lo and behold, cholesterol is essential for creating all those lipid-derived hormones. This includes cortisol, oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. 

Without enough balanced cholesterol, our bodies can’t make these hormones effectively, leading to imbalances that affect energy, mood, and ultimately, reproductive health. 

How to support healthy cholesterol levels naturally

The not so good news is that menopause can disrupt cholesterol levels. Fear not, it is possible to achieve healthy cholesterol through lifestyle and diet:

• Healthy fats: Adding fats from avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish keeps cholesterol balanced and gives your body the building blocks for hormone production.
• Fibre-rich foods: Load up on fruits, veggies, and minimally processed grains — they help your liver and digestion work together to keep “bad” cholesterol in check.
• Vitamin D boost: Sunshine and vitamin D-rich foods help your body use cholesterol to make essential hormones. Plus, vitamin D itself is linked to better mood and energy.

By supporting cholesterol levels naturally, we set up the Hormone hierarchy for success, ensuring that upstream hormones like pregnenolone, DHEA, and cortisol are balanced first. With this foundation, we give sex hormones the best chance to function optimally, creating harmony throughout the body. Sounds dreamy right?

But when it comes to balancing hormones we can’t forget about cortisol — our lovely ‘stress hormone’ has a starring role here.

A cortisol spike can feel like a sudden rush of stress or anxiety: your heart races, senses heighten, and you might feel jittery, tense, or even nauseous. Chronically high cortisol feels different from a sudden spike — it’s more of a constant, low-grade drain on your body. Rather than a quick jolt, it manifests as ongoing fatigue, irritability, and difficulty handling stress.

Why you need to stop stressing

Under stress, the adrenal glands flood the body with cortisol to help us handle whatever life throws our way. This is useful in the short term but can cause problems when stress is chronic. High cortisol levels divert energy and resources away from making sex hormones, like oestrogen and testosterone, since the body is focusing on “survival mode” over reproduction or growth.

Relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, walking, or just being out and surrounded by nature can help lower cortisol levels by activating the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, also called the “rest and digest” system. Here’s why these practices are so effective:

• Yoga encourages controlled breathing and gentle movement, calming the nervous system and sending signals to lower cortisol.
• Meditation helps train the mind to stay present, easing the mental stress that spikes cortisol. Over time, meditation can make us more resilient to external stressors.
• Gentle* exercise like walking or hiking outdoors combines the benefits of physical activity and nature, both known to reduce cortisol levels. Nature exposure alone has been shown to lower stress, improve mood, and boost well-being, offering a soothing reset for the mind and body.

*Psst: we say ‘gentle’ here as opposed to vigorous exercise. Because, if your body doesn't get adequate time to recover, constant high-intensity exercise can actually contribute to chronically high cortisol, leading to fatigue, poor sleep, and even muscle breakdown over time. As women, it could ruin our sex hormones as well. We’re not saying high-intensity is always bad, just that some people are more susceptible to chronic cortisol than others. So it is super important to find a routine that is right for you and your hormones!

So, what makes Ashwagandha so special? Unlike caffeine, which amps you up, or sedatives, which slow you down, ashwagandha helps your body adapt to stress. It’s like having a steady hand guiding you, keeping cortisol at bay so you feel balanced and calm, even when life’s throwing ridiculous curveballs. 

The bottom line is:

Building relaxation-promoting practices into daily life helps counteract cortisol’s long-term effects, keeping hormone production balanced and supporting overall wellness.

If you know anything about our lovely formula, you will know that we’ve thought of everything — including the holy grail of adaptogens such as Ashwagandha. We also have enlisted the help of hormone superstars like vitamin D. All in that potent liposomal formula, which has the power to enhance absorption of these nutrients through the unique ability to fuse with substances in food. It is a formula free of fillers and other nasty and unnecessary ingredients seen in other products which are harmful to gut health. You see, we really do have your back!

Count us in! So we’ve looked at all things ‘Hormone Hierarchy’ here - and hopefully you're feeling a bit more informed about how getting your hormones (or ducks) in line means starting with the basics: balance your stress response, your blood sugar, thyroid, and gut health first. 

Don't shoot the messenger! With foundations set for our primary hormones, and orders from up high all going to plan, your sex hormones can work in harmony, helping you feel energised, balanced, and ready to just get on with your life!

Remember you can find out more about our gorgeous product Daily Essential Vitamin & Mineral Shot designed to establish a bit of hormone balance and calm with the help of our friends Ashwahadhda, vitamin D and more. They’re all quite handy to lift brain fog, revitalise focus, boost energy and concentration. Pretty cool right?

Wishing you happy hormones and happy shopping! 

Much love, 

Valerie

* Disclaimer:

This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, or supplementation, especially if you have underlying health conditions. While we discuss various health practices and natural remedies, individual results may vary, and it’s essential to create a tailored approach that works for you under professional guidance.