Feeling Like Sh!t...Hormones May Be the Culprit

When I was 42, I gave birth to my second child. The pregnancy was beautiful. We did all the right things, I ate balanced, plant-based meals, drank plenty of water, and sipped on nourishing teas that soothed my body and spirit. I rested, I prepared, I journaled, I dreamed.

And then the baby came.

He was perfect—big, beautiful, healthy, and so happy.
But y’all, let me tell you the undeniable truth...

After I gave birth, the real work began—the work of healing me.
The simple act of bringing life into the world—though deeply natural—can be incredibly traumatic to the body. Especially mine.

What many don’t talk about is this: after the baby is born, your body doesn’t just “bounce back.” It doesn’t even whisper. It screams for restoration, balance, and care. It shifts in ways no one prepares you for. And for many of us, that shift lingers... sometimes for months, sometimes for years.

That was me.

Even though I was still eating well and doing all the “right” things, something still felt off.
I didn’t know it then, but my hormones were deeply out of balance.

You see, hormones are the body’s messengers tiny, powerful chemical signals made by your endocrine glands. They travel silently through your bloodstream, delivering instructions to organs, tissues, and cells.

They are the silent architects of your sleep, your mood, your energy, your metabolism, your menstrual cycle, your cravings your everything.

Those hot flashes you might be feeling?
Hormones.
Can’t sleep?
Hormones.
Mood swings that hit out of nowhere?
Hormones.
That stubborn belly fat that won't budge, even with exercise?
Hormones. Plus stress.
And the list keeps going.

When your hormones are off, especially combined with unrelenting stress, it can send your entire body into a tailspin. And the worst part? You may not even recognize it at first. The symptoms can be quiet. Creeping. Easy to blame on exhaustion, or age, or “just life.”

But imagine this...

You wake up every day bone-tired, no matter how early you went to bed. Your blood pressure climbs, but there’s no clear cause. You feel aches in your joints, a fog in your brain, and a heaviness in your body that just won’t lift. And on top of that? You have a newborn to care for.

I literally thought I was dying.

But what was really happening?
My hormones were crying out for help.
They needed a reset. A tune-up. A deeper kind of nourishment.
And I had to do the work to bring them back into balance.

What you eat plays a big role in that balance.

Yes, I was still plant-based. But I wasn’t always diligent about reading the fine print on food labels. That matters. A lot. Let me explain...

We all have hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—but how much of each we carry varies from person to person. Some of us have too much estrogen, which leads to what’s called estrogen dominance. When this happens, estrogen levels outweigh progesterone and begin to disrupt the system.

And what does that look like?

Menstrual irregularities.
Weight gain.
Fatigue.
Sleep disturbances.
Mood swings.
Bloating.
And more.

If you’re dealing with this, and many women are—watch your food labels.
Soy-based ingredients can elevate estrogen levels in the body. While soy isn’t inherently “bad,” it’s not ideal for everyone. For those struggling with estrogen dominance, it can quietly make things worse.

So be mindful. Be curious. Be informed.

Go get your hormone levels checked.
Seriously.

As we age, both women and men go through shifts in hormone levels. For women, it can be sudden and loud. For men, it's slower and more subtle—but very real. Male menopause—yes, it exists—is called andropause, and it involves gradual testosterone decline that impacts mood, strength, drive, and energy.

So if you’re feeling off...
If your body is telling you something and nothing you do seems to be working...
If the scale won't move, the moods swing wildly, and your sleep is restless...

Please... go get your hormone levels checked. Here are some things to consider:

Consult a Healthcare Provider: The first step is to consult a healthcare provider, such as a primary care physician, gynecologist, or endocrinologist, who can provide a proper diagnosis through tests and evaluations to determine if hormone imbalance is the issue.

Maintain a Balanced Diet: Focus on eating a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of whole foods, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber. Avoid processed foods, refined sugars, and excessive caffeine, which can contribute to hormonal imbalance.

Manage Stress: Chronic stress can disrupt hormone levels. Prioritize stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep to help balance hormones naturally.

Engage in Regular Exercise: Regular physical activity can help regulate hormones and improve overall hormonal balance. Incorporate a mix of aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility exercises into your routine to support hormonal health.

Consider Hormone Balancing Supplements or Therapies: Depending on the specific hormone imbalance identified by a healthcare provider, they may recommend hormone-balancing supplements or therapies such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), herbal supplements, or specific vitamins and minerals to support hormone regulation.

Be Patient with Yourself

Your body is changing and it is just a part of life. Get things checked out so that you can work on feeling better and getting back to balance. The work of balancing your hormones takes time, patience and discipline with lifestyle change. Let's do the work to get to a better you.

Now tell me—what came up for you?
How have you been feeling? Are you dealing with hormonal imbalances ?

Just hit reply. I read every message with care.

WORK WITH US!

Changing your diet and getting on track can be tough. If you are looking to eat and be healthier but not sure where to start, consider scheduling a BE WELL DISCOVERY CALL to get clarity on your next steps. We are looking forward to supporting you.

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Much love, Essentially Chef Beee 🌱

Your Lifestyle Medicine Health Coach & Plant-Based Chef