“Is It Me, or My Hormones?”

Why Your Mental Health Might Be Telling You Something About Your Hormonal Health

Ever found yourself on the edge of tears, unusually anxious, or suddenly overwhelmed—and then a few days later, your period arrives and things start to make sense?

It's a familiar pattern for many women. But here’s something important: your hormones are not the problem.

They’re not to blame, and they’re not out to get you. They’re simply responding to how you’re living in the world—your stress levels, your quality of sleep, the food you eat, your thoughts, the pace at which you move. Your relationship with your body and with life.

Hormones are messengers. And when our mental health feels off, it’s often their way of saying: “Something needs your attention.”

Hormones and Mood: A Two-Way Street

Hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are deeply connected to brain function. They interact with mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA—affecting sleep, energy, focus, and emotional resilience.

But it’s not as simple as “low hormones = low mood.” Our internal chemistry shifts in response to what’s happening in our lives—so what we eat, how we move, how much we rest, our relationships, our mindset, and most of all, how connected we feel to ourselves… all of it shapes our hormonal balance.

Instead of seeing hormones as the enemy, it’s more helpful to ask:

“What are they responding to?” or ‘What is my body communicating to me right now?”

PMS: The Monthly Report Card

Many women experience emotional changes in the lead-up to their period—commonly called PMS. That crankiness, feeling teary, or low motivation is not random or irrational. It’s often a reflection of what’s been going on in the weeks (or months) before.

PMS can be like a monthly report card:

• Have I been sleeping enough?

• Have I been going to bed too late?

• Am I feeling nourished and grounded?

• Have I been living at a pace and quality that supports my body, or burning the candle at both ends, pushing beyond or past what is true for me?

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When our nervous system is fried, by being activated (fight or flight) unnecessarily, our blood sugar is on a rollercoaster, and we’re running on adrenaline—our hormones reflect that.

PMS isn't just a hormone issue—it's an invitation and an opportunity to check in.

Perimenopause: The Wake-Up Call Years

In our late 30s and 40s, many women begin to experience what has been termed as perimenopause—the transition years before menopause. Hormones like oestrogen and progesterone start to fluctuate more dramatically, which can magnify the effects of stress, lifestyle imbalances, and unprocessed emotions. What you once thought you could get away with is often no longer the case. Your body is more transparent – and as challenging as this might be at times, is in fact an absolute blessing.

For some, this can feel like:

• Mood swings or anxiety that appear “out of nowhere”

• Brain fog and sleep issues

• Feeling emotionally flat or “off”

• A sense of losing control or identity

Again, the shifts are real—but they’re responsive. Perimenopause often exposes what’s been simmering under the surface for years. It’s not a breakdown—it’s an opportunity.

Your body isn’t betraying you. It’s waking you up.

Menopause: A Time of Reflection, Not Decline

Menopause—the point when periods stop for good—is often portrayed as a hormonal shutdown. But it’s more accurate (and respectful) to see it as a time of hormonal recalibration.

Yes, hormone levels change. But how you feel depends more on how supported your nervous system, metabolism, gut, and daily rhythms are. If life has been too fast, too full, too selfless for too long—menopause may be the moment your body says: “We can’t keep going like this.”

So What Can You Do?

Here’s the empowering part: because hormones are responsive, they’re also influenceable. Meaning, you have way more power than you think.

Small, meaningful changes coming from a place of deeper connection, can support better mood, steadier energy, and a greater sense of calm—at any age.

• Sleep is foundational – Aim for consistent, quality sleep. It sets the tone for hormonal rhythm – cycles!

• Eat with intention – Eat real, nutritious food – listen to your body on this one.

• Move regularly – Gentle strength, walking, stretching... movement helps regulate cortisol (stress responses) and support mood.

• Slow down when you can – Even small pauses in your day give your nervous system a break.

• Get curious, not critical – Your emotions aren’t “wrong”—they’re communicating to you.

• Ask for support – Whether through counselling, group support, bodywork, or hormone-aware health professionals—you do not need to navigate this alone.

Your mental health and your hormonal health aren’t separate stories. They’re part of the same conversation. And when something feels off emotionally, it’s not a sign that your hormones are broken—it’s a signal that your body is asking for care, attention, and space.

So the next time you feel out of sorts, instead of blaming your hormones, try asking: “What are they trying to tell me?”

Because the truth is, just like your body, they’re always on your side.