Hormonal health is, like, a total shitshow sometimes, and I’m writing this in my tiny Seattle apartment with rain hammering the window like it’s mad at me. I got empty coffee cups all over, a notebook I keep meaning to use for tracking my hormones, and my dog’s giving me side-eye. So, my big hormonal health wake-up call? Last fall, I was 33, and I legit bawled over a YouTube ad for cat litter. Not even a sad one—just a cat hopping in a box. I was a mess, mascara everywhere, and I knew my hormones were staging a coup.
I remember standing in my bathroom, mirror all fogged up from a scalding shower, staring at my face like, “Why do I look like a teenager and my mom at the same time?” Zits and wrinkles? So rude. I started Googling “why am I a disaster” at, like, 3 a.m., and fell into the hormonal health rabbit hole. Estrogen, progesterone, cortisol—they’re like the shady roommates who mess up your life and don’t even pay rent.
Why Hormonal Health Feels Like a Betrayal
Mood Swings Are My Life Now
Real talk: hormonal health is like your body pulling a fast one on you. One second, I’m blasting Megan Thee Stallion, feeling like a queen, and the next, I’m snapping at my boyfriend because he left a spoon in the sink. I started tracking my moods in a journal (check the featured image for my chaotic desk), and it was, like, humbling AF. Turns out, I’m a total gremlin around day 12 of my cycle, every single month.
Here’s what I figured out:
- Estrogen spikes make me feel like I could conquer the world, then crash like a bad Tinder date. Healthline has a solid breakdown.
- Progesterone dips are why I’m passed out on my couch at 3 p.m., even after two coffees.
- Cortisol, that stress hormone? It’s like my body’s personal bully, making everything worse.
My Biggest Hormonal Health Screw-Ups
Ignoring All the Warning Signs
I’m gonna be hella honest: I ignored my hormonal health for years. Like, I thought feeling like crap was just… normal? I’d pop Advil for cramps, slam energy drinks for exhaustion, and act like my anxiety was just “being a millennial.” Big oops. One time, I was at a coffee shop in Fremont, and I had a full-on meltdown because they were out of oat milk. Tears, shaky voice, the whole deal. The barista was like, “We got soy?” and I wanted to yeet myself into the void.
What I wish I knew:
- Sleep’s a big deal. Skimping on it screws with your cortisol and melatonin, which tanks your hormonal health. The Sleep Foundation explains it better.
- Food matters. I used to live on bagels and chaos. Adding greens and avocado (yep, I’m basic) actually helped my hormones chill.
- Stress is a hormone killer. I tried meditating—badly, like, I kept checking my phone—but even five minutes of breathing helped.
How I’m Kinda Handling My Hormonal Health
Small Steps, Big Vibes
I’m no expert, y’all. I’m just a gal trying not to lose it when I’m PMSing. But I’ve got some tricks for hormonal health. I keep a journal now—nothing cute, just a beat-up notebook where I scribble how I’m feeling. It’s helped me spot patterns, like how I’m a total monster when my progesterone tanks. I also started taking magnesium after reading about it on WebMD. It’s legit helped my cramps.
My current deal:
- Eat some plants. I’m not a vegan queen, but I sneak spinach into smoothies when I’m feeling fancy.
- Move a bit. I hate gyms, so I walk around Lake Union with my dog. The fresh air helps my hormonal health more than I thought.
- Talk to a doc. I saw an endocrinologist last month, and she ran tests on my hormone levels. My thyroid was off, which explained why I was so damn tired.
The Weird Stuff About Hormonal Health Nobody Talks About
It’s Not Just Periods, Okay?
Hormonal health isn’t just about your cycle—it’s your skin, your brain fog, your energy. I was shook when I realized my hormones were why I couldn’t focus. Like, I’d be working, and my brain’s like, “Hey, let’s obsess over that cringe thing you said in 2009.” I started using lavender oil to calm down, and yeah, I spilled it all over my sink once (see Image 1 for the disaster).
Also, my hair? Started thinning last year, and I was mortified. I thought it was just stress, but it was tied to my hormonal health. Found a good article on Mayo Clinic that linked it to thyroid issues. Mind blown.
Wrapping Up My Hormonal Health Mess
So, yeah, hormonal health’s a wild ride, and I’m still figuring it out. I’m sitting here, my tea’s cold, my journal’s judging me, and my dog’s probably over it. If your body’s acting like a jerk, you’re not alone. Get some bloodwork, track your moods, and maybe don’t cry over cat litter ads (no shade, though). It’s all about listening to your body, even when it’s being a total brat.
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