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Top 10 Hormones for Cycle Harmony (and how to support them)

You’ve probably heard me talk a lot about these two: estrogen and progesterone, they are the main characters in our menstrual cycle drama.

But when I talk about “balancing hormones”, I’m not just talking about periods or reproduction. There's a whole hormonal squad running your inner ecosystem, and when they are wonky... so are you.

So what the heck actually is a hormone?

You might blame them for all the times you cry at random things and…

...your partner might blame them for the fact that you're a bit sharper than usual.

(Although they  didn't live long enough to tell the tale. Sad face.)

If you'd like to know more about why your moods are more up and down than a yo-yo, and what you can do to find balance and rhythm... buckle up friend, because we're diving into the marvellous world of hormones.

What the heck is a hormone?

👉 Hormones are chemical messengers.

And they have more sway over your daily life than you might realise.

Picture the scene… You woke up feeling… ok, but ever since you’ve noticed that you're becoming increasingly irritated. Then, before you know it, you're sitting there, tissues in hand, tearing up over yet another random animal rescue Reel (also, who wouldn’t, they’re so sad 😭).

Sounds familiar?

Uh-huh… that’s likely your hormones.

Let’s get our nerd on.

Hormones - Your Body’s Postal Service

When you hear the word hormones, you likely think: reproduction.

But your reproductive hormones are just 5 of about 50 that are regularly released into the body.

​​In simple terms, they're the body's chemical messengers (like tiny carrier pigeons zipping through your bloodstream) relaying critical info from one organ to another via the endocrine system.

They lie in wait in your endocrine glands, ready to be released into your blood and deliver messages that regulate everything from your metabolism and mood to growth, sleep, and general go-get-em-ness.

Their release can be triggered by things like...

> signals from the nervous system
> changes in blood sugar
> your circadian rhythm
> your menstrual cycle
> stress

Admit it, hormones just got a bit more interesting, right?

Beyond Period Dramas

Hormone balancing is about waaaay more than just better periods (although yes, that’s a rather dreamy outcome).

It’s about maintaining your inner ecosystem and regulating your nervous system, because the two are constantly in conversation.

So now I’m guessing you want to know who’s who?

10 Hormones Worth Knowing

Insulin – Blood Sugar Hormone

• Function: Your body's blood sugar manager, making sure energy levels stay balanced.
• Role: Your internal Street Sweeper, it sweeps excess sugar(glucose) into storage in your cells and liver to keep you going without sugar spikes.

Cortisol – Stress Hormone

• Function: Your stress alert. It's your body's built-in alarm system.
• Role: It helps you get up in the morning and gives you the energy to face your day-to-day challenges, but it can get  a bit too keen if stress is constant.

Adrenaline (Epinephrine) – Fight or Flight Hormone

• Function: Your instant energy booster in stressful situations.
• Role: Your internal ‘big red shiny panic button’, giving you a burst of quick power when action is needed.

Oestrogen – The ‘Doing’ Hormone

• Function: Your inner multitasker, estrogen helps regulate your reproductive system and menstrual cycle.
• Role: Estrogen also supports brain, heart and breast health, muscle and bone growth and maintains a healthy metabolism.

Progesterone – The ‘Being’ Hormone

• Function: The yin to estrogen's yang its primary function is to maintain a healthy pregnancy environment.
• Role: Thickens the uterine lining (aka “the bit you shed”) and helps regulate the rest and digest part of your nervous system by influencing GABA and calming the brain to reduce anxiety.

Melatonin – Sleep Hormone

• Function: Your body's sleepy-time controller, promoting a restful night.
• Role: It comes out to play with the setting sun and sends a signal to the body when it's time to wind down (which is why blue light at night is a no-no).

Serotonin – Feel-Good Hormone

• Function: Regulates mood, digestion, and sleep.
• Role: Boosts your sense of well-being, and yes, most of it is made in your gut.

Oxytocin – Cuddle Hormone

• Function: Nicknamed the ‘cuddle hormone,’  it promotes bonding and connection.
• Role: Encouraged by touch, orgasms, kindness, and cat cuddles. Highly recommend.

Leptin – Fullness Hormone

• Function: Signals when you’ve had enough to eat.
• Role: Acts like a gentle reminder, ensuring you know when you've had enough to eat, unless stress or poor sleep muffle it.

Ghrelin – Hunger Hormone

• Function: This is your stomach's wake-up call, letting your brain know it's time to eat (Ghrelin Gremlins).
• Role: Loudest when you’re tired, stressed, or your blood sugar's crashed. The reason you said that thing when you were hangry.

So, how do you support this inner A-team?

So, how do you feel about hormones now? Pretty darn cool, right? (I know I'm a total nerd)

Also, I can't get the imagery of tiny carrier pigeons in my blood out of my head now (you're welcome).

Hormones may often be out of sight, but they're hard at work behind the scenes, ensuring you're equipped to tackle everything life throws at you.
​
They decide when you're alert, tired, hungry, sociable (or absolutely not).

Managing your sleep, blood sugar, stress, movement, and rest all help support this delicate inner ecosystem. 

But most importantly, manage your menstrual cycle. When you live in sync with it, you're supporting your entire hormone ecosystem, not just the reproductive bit.

👉 Get your FREE Charting Tool & Guide

Here are a few other resources to dig into...

👉 What the heck is the Endocrine System (and how to support it)? 

👉 5 Food Habits for Happier Hormones (and a Happier You)

👉 How to Support Irregular Cycles and Perimenopause

👉 5 Easy Ways to Support Your Cycle Today