The Hidden Hormone Disruptor
Stress is everywhere and it’s inevitable. It’s something you encounter every day and it could be significantly impacting your hormonal balance and PMS symptoms.
Stress is a powerful hormone disruptor that can wreak havoc on your hormonal system, making PMS symptoms worse and creating a cycle of discomfort many of you mistakenly accept as normal.
The Stress-Hormone Connection
Stress isn't just a mental state—it has profound physical impacts, especially on your hormones. When you're stressed, your body releases cortisol, aka your "stress hormone" and put you in a state of “fight or flight”. Here's how chronic stress can throw your hormones out of balance:
Cortisol Disruption: Chronic stress can lead to chronic high cortisol levels, which can interfere with the production and balance of other hormones, including estrogen and progesterone.
Progesterone Depletion: Stress can lower progesterone levels, potentially leading to estrogen dominance (it’s like a see saw)—both are common causes of PMS symptoms.
Thyroid Imbalance: Chronic stress can suppress thyroid function, affecting your metabolism and energy levels.
Insulin Resistance: Stress can contribute to insulin resistance, which can exacerbate hormonal imbalances and increase inflammation.
Stress & PMS: A Painful Cycle
Not only can chronic stress contribute to hormonal imbalances, but it can also make existing PMS symptoms feel worse.
Pain: Stress lowers your pain threshold (!!!) making cramps and other physical symptoms more intense.
Moodiness: Stress intensifies mood swings, irritability, and anxiety often associated with PMS. The interplay between stress hormones and neurotransmitters can intensify emotional symptoms.
Poor Sleep: Stress can interfere with sleep quality, leading to fatigue, and further hormonal disruption, plus it messes with appetite and blood sugar levels. Poor sleep often increases more stress, creating a vicious cycle.
Inflammation: Chronic stress promotes inflammation in the body, which can worsen PMS symptoms. Inflammation is increasingly recognized as a key factor in many menstrual disorders like PCOS and endometriosis.
Breaking the Stress Cycle: A Simple Technique
While we can't eliminate all stress from our lives, we can change how we respond to it. Next time you go into high stress mode, notice your breath. Are you fully breathing? Probably not. Shallow breathing creates more anxiety and stress.
Try this simple counting breath technique…
Counted Breath:
Inhale slowly while counting to 5
Exhale slowly for the same count
Gradually increase the count as you become more comfortable
While this exercise may appear easy, it effectively activates your parasympathetic nervous system, aka your “rest and digest” state and can help you reduce stress and promote relaxation instantly.
Try incorporating it into your daily routine so that it becomes a habit. That way, by the time your period comes, you’ll have set up this nourishing tool into your routine.
Stress management isn't just about feeling calmer all the time, that’s unrealistic—it's a fundamental part of hormonal and your overall health.
Ready to have less stressful periods and cycles?
Join in my upcoming live group program, Femme Balance: 6 weeks to PMS-free living, a course designed to promote cycle regulation and PMS relief using food as medicine, live cooking, natural approaches, and stress-reduction techniques to sync you with your hormones and cycles — so that you feel more alive, connected, and feel more empowered in your body.
