Quick Answer: Hormone imbalance can come from lots of places, but thyroid function is a common (and testable) root cause for many women. If you’re dealing with unexplained fatigue, mood shifts, weight changes, or cycle changes, a thyroid panel with a clinician is a smart first step. Supportive habits like gut-friendly nutrition, key nutrients (like B12/selenium/zinc when appropriate), stress reduction, and reducing exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals can help alongside medical guidance.

What Hormone Imbalance Can Feel Like

A hormonal imbalance can wreak havoc on our physical and mental health. Sometimes, an imbalance is temporary, for example the start of puberty or your period causing major but temporary changes. Other times, disruptions and imbalances in our hormones can be more mysterious and worrisome. For many girls and women, our hormone factories (AKA thyroids) turn out to be the source of the imbalance.

According to the American Thyroid Association, around 1 in 8 women will be affected by a thyroid condition at some point in their lives, a rate ten times higher than that of males.

Why the Thyroid Often Matters

Thyroid disorders can cause a range of subtle symptoms—prolonged fatigue, depressed mood, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, puffy face and more. If you’ve felt changes that you can’t explain, having your hormone levels checked by a doctor or a home kit may be a good place to start. 

Common Thyroid-Related Symptoms

Thyroid disorders can present with a wide range of symptoms, including:

• Prolonged fatigue

• Low or depressed mood

• Sensitivity to cold

• Constipation

• Dry skin

• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

• Puffiness in the face or around the eyes

If you’re experiencing symptoms that don’t seem to have a clear cause, having your hormone levels checked—either through a doctor or an at-home test—can be a helpful starting point.

While there are thyroid issues that require more intense treatment and medication, some women experience difficult side effects and want to find more holistic solutions. Fortunately, we found bevy of easily accessible natural, homeopathic remedies that have been shown to help rebalance the thyroid. 

Finding Natural Support

Whether or not you choose Western medication, holistic support can play an important role in overall hormone care. A few foundational considerations include:

• Nutrition: Eat a diet that supports gut health and reduces inflammation

• Micronutrients: Stay consistent with vitamins such as B-12, selenium, and zinc when recommended

• Herbal support: Herbs like ashwagandha and guggul are often used to support thyroid and stress response

Because supplementation is not one-size-fits-all, the Institute for Natural Medicine recommends working with a licensed naturopathic doctor (ND) to develop a plan tailored to your body and needs.

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Hormones

Hormones don’t exist in a vacuum—and neither do chemicals.

For decades, both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Endocrine Society have warned about endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)—substances that can interfere with hormone signaling. These include compounds like:

• Phthalates

• Parabens

• BPA

• Certain heavy metals

EDCs are commonly found in plastics, fragrances, beauty products, and household items. While difficult to avoid entirely, awareness is a powerful first step.

Safer Swaps to Reduce Exposure

The good news: safer alternatives are becoming more accessible.

Ways to reduce exposure include:

• Filtering drinking water

• Avoiding microwaving food in plastic

• Choosing fragrance-free personal care

• Prioritizing products with transparent ingredient lists—especially for food and feminine hygiene

Brands and shops we love for low-tox living include:

• Everything we carry at  Rif care

• Plaine Products

• Plastic Free Shop

• EarthBits

Small changes, made consistently, can have a meaningful impact over time.

Final Thoughts

Hormonal balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about support. When you understand how systems like the thyroid, stress response, and chemical exposure interact, it becomes easier to listen to your body instead of fighting it.

One step at a time really does add up.

With love,
Afia