This month in health & nutrition

My Thoughts: Issue #5: September 2026

Have you noticed how hormone health seems to be absolutely everywhere right now?

Hormone-balancing supplements. Hormone-friendly foods. Cortisol hacks. Cycle syncing. Menopause support. Hormone tests. Hormone programmes.

And sometimes I think we can become so overwhelmed by all the information that we forget something really important...

Our hormones actually matter.

A lot.

They aren't just another wellness trend.

Hormones are chemical messengers that help regulate so many things happening inside our bodies.

Our menstrual cycles.

Our reproductive health.

Our metabolism.

Our appetite.

Our energy.

Our sleep.

Our mood.

Our bones.

Our muscles.

Our stress response.

And as women, our hormones naturally change throughout our lives.

From puberty...

Through our reproductive years...

During pregnancy and after having children...

Through perimenopause...

And into menopause and beyond.

So when we talk about hormone health, we're not talking about some new wellness obsession.

We're talking about an important part of women's health. We're talking about an important part of women's health.

And I actually think it's a really positive thing that we're finally talking about it more openly.

Because for far too long, women have been expected to simply put up with symptoms.

"It's just your period."

"It's just getting older."

"It's probably stress."

"That's just what happens when you have children."

"You'll feel better eventually."

But sometimes...

We need to listen to what our bodies are telling us.

Because changes in our hormones can have a very real impact on how we feel.

And supporting hormone health is something we should all be thinking about.

Not because our hormones need to be perfect.

But because our hormones are an important part of our overall health.

And now, here are my thoughts:-

Hormones really do matter

Let's start with the basics.

Hormones are involved in an enormous number of processes within the body.

Oestrogen.

Progesterone.

Testosterone.

Insulin.

Thyroid hormones.

Cortisol.

And many others.

They all have different roles.

And they're constantly communicating with different parts of the body.

This is why changes in hormone levels can sometimes have such a noticeable effect.

Think about the changes many women experience during perimenopause.

Periods may become irregular.

Sleep can change.

Hot flushes can appear.

Mood can change.

Energy can change.

Body composition can change.

Sexual wellbeing can change.

And some women experience symptoms that significantly affect their everyday lives.

That's not imaginary.

And it's not something women should simply be expected to "put up with."

Hormone health is health.

And I think we need to start treating it that way.

Hormone balance isn't about having perfectly level hormones

Now, this is where I think the language around hormones can become confusing.

We hear so much about "balancing your hormones."

But your hormones aren't supposed to remain at exactly the same level all the time.

They naturally rise and fall.

Throughout the day.

Across your menstrual cycle.

During different stages of life.

And during major physiological changes.

So when I talk about hormone balance, I'm not talking about trying to make every hormone sit at some perfect number.

I'm talking about supporting healthy hormonal function.

Helping your body have what it needs to produce, regulate and respond to hormones appropriately.

And that means looking at the bigger picture.

Your nutrition.

Your sleep.

Your movement.

Your stress.

Your muscle health.

Your overall health.

And, when necessary, appropriate medical support.

It's not about perfection.

It's about support.

Your lifestyle can play an important role in hormone health

This is the part I really want women to understand.

There isn't one magical food that balances your hormones.

But the way you live your life can have an important influence on your overall health and the systems involved in hormone regulation.

Eating enough.

Eating a varied diet.

Getting enough protein.

Eating plenty of fibre.

Including healthy fats.

Eating fruit and vegetables.

Getting enough calcium and other important nutrients.

Moving your body regularly.

Building and maintaining muscle.

Getting enough sleep.

Finding ways to manage stress.

These things may sound incredibly ordinary.

And that's because they are.

But sometimes the most powerful things we can do for our health are also the least exciting.

You don't need a £50 powder.

You don't need a "hormone detox."

You don't need to drink a special tea every morning.

You need to look after your body consistently.

Don't underestimate the importance of eating enough

This is one I feel particularly strongly about.

Because we're living in a time when women are constantly being encouraged to eat less.

Less food.

Fewer calories.

Fewer carbohydrates.

Smaller portions.

Longer fasting windows.

And yet we're also talking about hormone health.

Your body needs energy.

And chronic under-eating or restrictive dieting can have consequences for health, particularly when nutritional needs aren't being met.

Your reproductive system, bones, muscles and many other aspects of health all depend on adequate nutrition.

So if you're trying to support your hormones...

Please don't start by starving yourself.

Start by asking whether you're actually giving your body enough.

Perimenopause is a reminder of just how important hormones are

I think one of the reasons we're finally having this conversation is because women are talking more openly about perimenopause and menopause.

And I couldn't be happier about that.

Because this stage of life can involve significant hormonal changes.

Oestrogen and progesterone change.

Periods can become unpredictable.

Sleep can be affected.

Hot flushes and night sweats can occur.

Mood can change.

Body composition can change.

Muscle and bone health become increasingly important.

And some women experience symptoms that have a huge impact on their quality of life.

This is exactly why hormone health deserves proper attention.

Not fear.

Not misinformation.

Not miracle cures.

Proper attention.

Women deserve to understand what is happening to their bodies.

They deserve to know what support is available.

And they deserve to have conversations with healthcare professionals who take their symptoms seriously.

Stress and hormones are connected

And then there's stress.

We hear a lot about cortisol at the moment, sometimes to the point where it becomes another thing to worry about.

But cortisol itself isn't bad.

We need it.

It's an important hormone involved in our response to stress and many other functions.

The problem is that modern life can leave many of us feeling like we're permanently switched on.

Work.

Family.

Children.

Financial pressures.

Poor sleep.

Not enough downtime.

And constant stimulation from our phones.

So rather than obsessing over "lowering cortisol", I'd much rather we talked about something more useful:

How can we support our overall stress and recovery?

Sleep.

Movement.

Rest.

Time outside.

Connection.

Boundaries.

Relaxation.

And getting support when life feels overwhelming.

These things may not sound like a hormone hack...

But they are part of looking after the whole person.

Supplements can have a place... but they're not the foundation

There are certainly situations where supplements can be useful.

If you have a confirmed deficiency.

If your nutritional requirements are higher.

Or if a healthcare professional recommends one for a specific reason.

But supplements shouldn't become the foundation of your hormone health.

Your foundation is much less exciting.

Food.

Sleep.

Movement.

Muscle.

Recovery.

Stress management.

Healthcare when you need it.

And then, where appropriate, supplements or other treatments can sit alongside that.

Because there's no point spending hundreds of pounds on hormone supplements while barely sleeping and skipping meals.

Listening to your body matters

This is perhaps the biggest change I'd like to see.

Women becoming more aware of their bodies.

Not more frightened of them.

There's a difference.

If your periods suddenly change...

Pay attention.

If you're experiencing persistent fatigue...

Pay attention.

If you're having significant sleep problems...

Pay attention.

If you're experiencing symptoms associated with perimenopause or menopause...

Pay attention.

If something doesn't feel right...

Please don't automatically dismiss it.

And please don't automatically assume you just need to buy another supplement.

Listen to your body, but also investigate what's happening.

Sometimes the answer is lifestyle.

Sometimes it's hormonal.

Sometimes it's something else entirely.

And that's why proper healthcare matters.

What your takeaways are from this:-

Hormone health really matters

Your hormones influence many important processes within your body.

They're an important part of your overall health, not simply another wellness trend.

Think "support", not "perfect balance"

Your hormones naturally fluctuate.

The goal isn't to make them perfectly level.

It's to support healthy hormonal function through good nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management and appropriate healthcare.

Feed your body properly

Adequate nutrition matters.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that eating less is automatically healthier.

Your body needs energy and nutrients to function properly.

Look after your muscles

Strength training and adequate protein become increasingly important as we get older.

Supporting muscle health is an important part of supporting our health through midlife and beyond.

Don't forget your bones

Hormonal changes, particularly around menopause, make bone health an increasingly important conversation.

Calcium, vitamin D, adequate nutrition and weight-bearing activity all deserve attention.

It's not just about how we look.

It's about how strong we want to be later in life.

Take menopause seriously

Perimenopause and menopause are significant hormonal transitions.

If you're struggling with symptoms, you don't simply have to accept them as something you have to endure.

There is support available, and it's worth having a conversation with an appropriate healthcare professional.

Be careful with hormone health marketing

Hormone health is important.

And because it's important, it's also become a very effective marketing tool.

You don't need every supplement.

You don't need every powder.

You don't need every detox.

And you don't need to follow every hormone "hack" you see online.

Invest in your health, not every wellness trend.

Remember that small things add up

You don't need to completely overhaul your life tomorrow.

Start with the basics.

Eat nourishing food.

Eat enough.

Get your protein.

Eat your fruit and vegetables.

Include healthy fats.

Move your body.

Strength train.

Get enough sleep.

Make time to recover.

And get help when you need it.

These aren't particularly glamorous.

But they matter.

My final thoughts...

I actually think the increased interest in hormone health is a really positive thing.

Because women are finally talking about something that has been overlooked for far too long.

We're talking about periods.

We're talking about perimenopause.

We're talking about menopause.

We're talking about symptoms.

We're talking about how women actually feel.

And we're starting to recognise that women's health doesn't stop at reproduction.

But I think we need to make sure the conversation goes in the right direction.

Hormone health shouldn't become another way of making women feel that their bodies are broken.

You don't need to have perfect hormones.

You don't need to monitor every fluctuation.

You don't need to follow a complicated set of rules.

And you don't need to spend a fortune trying to "balance" everything.

Instead...

Understand your body.

Feed it properly.

Move it.

Build strength.

Sleep.

Recover.

Manage stress where you can.

Pay attention to changes.

And get appropriate support when you need it.

Because your hormones are important.

Really important.

And supporting them is part of supporting your health.

But this isn't about chasing perfection.

It's about giving your body the best possible environment to do what it is designed to do.

And as women, I think we deserve to have conversations about our hormones that are informed, empowering and evidence-based...

Rather than conversations that leave us feeling worried about everything we're supposedly doing wrong.

Your body isn't your enemy.

Your hormones aren't your enemy.

And getting older isn't something we need to fear.

Let's understand our bodies.

Let's support them.

And let's make looking after our health something that feels empowering...

Not exhausting.

See you in the next one! G xx 💕