Guest post from Nutritionist and Hormone Expert Sarah Gale
Hormone balancing is a term we hear often, but what does it really mean? The phrase itself can be a bit misleading. When we think of 'balance', we might picture standing still on one leg or holding a yoga pose - activities that require us to be stationary. However, hormones are anything but stationary; they're dynamic chemical messengers that constantly respond to feedback from your body. So, when we talk about hormone balance, what we really mean is that your hormones are working together in a harmonious flow.
Many of us strive to achieve this harmony, but how do we know when we've succeeded? To help, here are 11 signs that indicate your hormones are starting to flow in sync.
One of the first signs that your hormones are on the mend is experiencing regular hunger cues. When your hormones are balanced, your body effectively manages ghrelin and leptin—two key hormones responsible for hunger and feeling full. This means you'll start feeling hungry at consistent times throughout the day and feel satisfied after eating appropriate portions. On the flip side, irregular hunger cues can signal a hormonal imbalance, leading to overeating or undereating.
Daily bowel movements are a great indicator that your digestive system—and by extension, your hormones—are functioning well. Hormones like oestrogen are processed in the liver and excreted through your bowels. If your digestion is slow, excess hormones can recirculate in your body, leading to imbalance. Consistent, healthy bowel movements suggest that your body is efficiently processing and eliminating waste, including excess hormones.
Your skin often reflects your internal health, including your hormone levels. Clear, glowing skin is a sign that your hormones, particularly oestrogen and testosterone, are in balance. When these hormones are at optimal levels, they help maintain healthy skin by regulating oil production, reducing inflammation, and promoting cell turnover. Persistent skin issues like acne or dullness can be signs of hormonal disruptions.
Cravings, especially for sugar and carbs, are often linked to imbalances in insulin, cortisol, and serotonin. As your hormones begin to heal, you'll notice that these intense cravings start to fade or disappear altogether. This happens because your body is better at maintaining stable blood sugar levels and producing enough of those feel-good hormones, reducing the need for quick fixes like sugary snacks.
Falling asleep quickly is a good sign that your cortisol and melatonin levels are balanced. Cortisol, the stress hormone, should naturally drop in the evening, allowing melatonin, the sleep hormone, to rise and prepare your body for rest. If you can fall asleep within 15 minutes of going to bed, it’s a strong indication that your circadian rhythm is in sync and your hormones are doing their job, promoting restful sleep.
Regular, pain-free periods are one of the clearest signs that your reproductive hormones—particularly oestrogen and progesterone—are in balance. Irregular, painful, or heavy periods often point to hormonal imbalances like oestrogen dominance or insufficient progesterone. As your hormones heal, your periods should become more predictable and free of severe discomfort.
Stable weight is closely linked to hormone balance. Hormones like insulin, thyroid hormones, and cortisol play significant roles in how your body stores and uses fat. When these hormones are in balance, you're less likely to experience unexplained weight gain or loss. Instead, your weight remains stable, with any changes aligning more with your diet and activity level than with hormonal fluctuations.
A noticeable sign of balanced hormones is having steady energy throughout the day, without that typical afternoon slump. This comes from balanced cortisol levels, stable blood sugar, and efficient thyroid function. When these hormones are working in harmony, your body can maintain consistent energy levels, keeping you productive and focused from morning till night.
Mood swings are often tied to fluctuations in hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and cortisol. As your hormones begin to heal, you'll notice a significant improvement in emotional stability. Fewer mood swings, reduced anxiety, and an overall sense of well-being are good signs that your hormones are balancing out. This happens because balanced hormones help regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are crucial for maintaining a positive mood.
Clear and sharp brain function is another sign that your hormones are healing. Cognitive functions like memory, focus, and mental clarity are influenced by hormones, particularly oestrogen and thyroid hormones. When these hormones are balanced, you'll find it easier to concentrate, recall information, and think clearly. On the other hand, brain fog and difficulty concentrating often trace back to hormonal imbalances.
Bloating is often a sign of digestive issues or hormonal imbalances, particularly involving oestrogen and cortisol. When your hormones are on the right track, you'll notice that regular bloating becomes a thing of the past. This indicates that your body is effectively digesting food and regulating fluid balance—both essential for keeping bloating at bay.
Our hormones play a vital role in our overall well-being, impacting everything from our mood and weight to our sleep and skin. If you’re tired of struggling with imbalances and want to feel more in sync with your body, it’s time to take action.
Transform your hormone health with personalised support from Sarah Gale . Whether you’re aiming to boost your energy, stabilise your mood, or finally achieve those 11 signs of hormonal harmony, Sarah's expert guidance can help you get your hormones working for you, rather than against you.
Sarah Gale is a Registered Nutritional Therapist, Clinical Nutritionist DipION mBANT and hormone expert and helps women who just can’t lose weight break free of the diet cycle, rebalance their hormones and feel confident in their own skin again.
After a lifetime a hating her body and chronic yo-yo dieting, Sarah realised that yo-yo diets didn’t have the answers and by balancing her hormones, fixing her metabolism and working on her mindset she could finally lose the weight and get her self-confidence back.
You can find out more about Sarah and the services she offers over at Sarah Gale Nutrition.