March is here! Not only is it National Women’s Month—a perfect time to celebrate yourself and the incredible women around you—but March 8th also marks International Women’s Day. 💜

This month, let’s take a moment to honor your strength, resilience, and well-being. 💪

This post is all about hormones and mental health.

As a woman, your body undergoes remarkable changes, and at the core of it all are your hormones.

These tiny powerhouses don’t just influence your physical health—they play a major role in your mood, emotions, and mental well-being. And if you’ve ever felt like your emotions are on a rollercoaster, you’re not the only one!

Getting a better understanding of how these hormonal shifts (during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause) work can help you deal with those mood swings, anxiety, and even depression. But more importantly, it can help you support yourself and the women in your life who may be feeling the same.

Want to explore more? Keep going!

Hormonal Fluctuations and the Menstrual Cycle

Your menstrual cycle! It’s a constant dance of hormonal ups and downs, especially with estrogen and progesterone leading the way. These hormones don’t just help with reproduction; they also mess with your emotions. 

Sound familiar? That’s PMS (premenstrual syndrome), bringing on symptoms like irritability, fatigue, and mood swings. For some women, it’s even more intense: PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) can cause extreme emotional distress, often because of how your hormones interact with serotonin, the brain’s “feel-good” neurotransmitter.

Pregnancy and Postpartum Mental Health

Pregnancy is also a whirlwind of hormonal changes! 

Estrogen and progesterone levels skyrocket, and while some women absolutely love this time, others may struggle with heightened anxiety or depression. 

Then, after pregnancy, those hormone levels crash, and it can feel like hitting an emotional brick wall. This sudden shift can contribute to postpartum depression (PPD)—a condition marked by persistent sadness, fatigue, and difficulty bonding with the baby. 

PPD is real, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Early intervention, professional support, and community awareness can make all the difference in managing your mental well-being during this transformative time.

Menopause and Emotional Well-Being

Menopause isn’t just about hot flashes—it can have a profound impact on mental health too. As estrogen and progesterone levels decline, many women experience mood swings, anxiety, brain fog, and even depression. These hormonal changes can also affect serotonin and dopamine levels, which are key to regulating mood. Sleep disturbances, night sweats, and fatigue often make things worse, leaving you feeling drained and emotionally overwhelmed.

But there’s hope! From hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to mindfulness, exercise, and lifestyle adjustments, there are many ways to navigate this transition and protect your mental well-being. Prioritizing nutrition, managing stress, and seeking support—whether from a doctor, therapist, or community—can make a world of difference. With the right strategies, you can take charge of your health and feel empowered through every stage of menopause. 💜

Managing Hormone-Related Mood Changes

When you understand how your hormones affect your emotions, you can take control of your mental health. Here are a few simple ways to keep your hormones—and your mood—balanced:

✔ Move your body – Exercise or regular physical activity helps regulate stress hormones and boosts your mood.
✔ Eat a balanced diet – Nutrient-rich foods help keep your hormones stable.
✔ Practice mindfulness and Stress Reduction – Deep breathing, journaling, or meditation can reduce anxiety.
✔ Seek support – Therapy or coaching can help you navigate emotional ups and downs.
✔ Consider medical consultation – Sometimes hormone therapy or medication can help.

Three Common Hormonal Imbalances in Women

Here are three common hormonal imbalances that can mess with your emotions:

1. Low Progesterone

Progesterone helps balance estrogen, supports fertility, and promotes a calm, stable mood. However, chronic stress and high cortisol levels can disrupt its production, leading to estrogen dominance and various symptoms.

Causes of Low Progesterone:

• Chronic stress and high cortisol (leading to “pregnenolone steal,” where cortisol production takes priority over progesterone)
• Hormonal birth control (which prevents ovulation, reducing progesterone levels)
• Lack of consistent ovulation

Symptoms of Low Progesterone:
❌ Difficulty getting or staying pregnant
❌ Breakthrough bleeding in the second half of the cycle
❌ PMS or PMDD
❌ Menstrual migraines
❌ Heavy or irregular menstrual flow
❌ Abdominal bloating
❌ Swollen or painful breasts

2. Estrogen Dominance (Excess Estrogen)

When estrogen levels are too high compared to progesterone, it can cause a range of physical and emotional symptoms. This imbalance is often worsened by chronic stress, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and environmental toxins.

Symptoms of High Estrogen:
❌ Heavy menstrual bleeding
❌ Breast tenderness or cysts
❌ PMS symptoms
❌ Fibroids and endometriosis
❌ Menstrual migraines
❌ Mood swings and frequent emotional outbursts
❌ Depression or unexplained weepiness
❌ Ovulatory pain and brain fog

3. Low Estrogen

Estrogen deficiency can negatively impact both physical health and mental well-being. This imbalance is often caused by high stress, poor nutrition, over-exercising, perimenopause, or long-term use of low-dose hormonal contraceptives.

Symptoms of Low Estrogen:
❌ Sporadic or absent periods (oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea)
❌ Low sex drive and vaginal dryness
❌ Painful intercourse
❌ Hot flashes and night sweats
❌ Joint pain
❌ Dry skin and eyes
❌ Depression and poor memory/cognitive function

Hormonal imbalances can feel overwhelming, but the more you understand your body, the better you can support your mental and emotional well-being. 

Remember that you’re not alone in this. Make time for self-care, lean on support when you need it, and remember that your feelings are valid. 

Your hormones may be powerful, but you are so much stronger. 💖

Supporting Hormonal Balance with Thorne

Optimal hormonal health is essential for mental well-being, and having the right support can make all the difference. Whether you’re dealing with PMS, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, or menopause, maintaining hormone balance can help stabilize mood, reduce stress, and boost overall vitality.

Thorne offers premium supplements and testing solutions designed to help you take control of your health, providing the tools you need to feel your best at every stage of life.

1. Thorne Stress Test – Understand Your Cortisol & Hormone Levels

The Thorne Stress Test is a comprehensive at-home saliva test that measures cortisol and DHEA levels, offering valuable insights into how stress is impacting your body.

By identifying hormone fluctuations, this test helps you better understand your adrenal health and stress response. Plus, you’ll receive a personalized health plan to guide you in making informed decisions for reducing stress and improving overall well-being—all from the convenience of home.

2. Thorne Hormone Advantage –  Natural Hormonal Support

Struggling with PMS, menopause, or estrogen dominance? Thorne’s Hormone Advantage offers targeted support to help balance estrogen levels, promote healthy detoxification, and ease symptoms like mood swings, bloating, and breast tenderness.

This formula combines DIM (diindolylmethane), pomegranate extract, and sulforaphane (from broccoli seed extract) to support estrogen metabolism and hormone harmony. It also helps clear estrogen-mimicking toxins from everyday life, like those found in plastics and pesticides.

With benefits for both short-term cycle support and long-term hormonal health, Hormone Advantage is an excellent choice for women looking to feel their best every day.

3. Thorne Menopause Test – Personalized Insights for Hormonal Changes

Thorne’s Menopause Test is an at-home saliva collection kit that measures key reproductive and adrenal hormones, providing valuable insights into your body’s transition.

This test evaluates estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol levels—hormones essential for maintaining balance after menopause. Since the adrenal glands take over hormone production post-menopause, monitoring these changes can help you make informed health decisions.

With a personalized health plan based on your results, you’ll gain the knowledge to better support your hormonal health and well-being.

Invest in Your Well-Being (or Support the Incredible Women in Your Life!)

Whether you’re taking steps to balance your own hormones or want to support the incredible women in your life, Thorne’s trusted products can be a game-changer.

Feel free to create your Thorne account through my dispensary and take the first step toward better overall health!

Your hormones influence everything from mood to energy, and with the right knowledge and support, you can feel your best at every stage of life. 

Remember this!!!

Your hormones might be powerful, but so are you! 💪

This post is all about hormones and mental health.