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Understanding Your Hormones
A straightforward introduction to the chemical messengers involved in menstrual cycles, energy, metabolism and the body’s stress response—without expecting hormones to remain at a perfect level.
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What hormones do
Hormones carry messages between organs and tissues. Their actions depend on timing, life stage, health and the way different systems work together. Natural fluctuations are expected; a symptom alone cannot tell us which hormone level, if any, has changed.
Meet some important hormones
Estrogen
A group of hormones involved in the menstrual cycle, reproductive tissues, bone health and other functions. Estrogen levels change across the cycle and can fluctuate considerably during perimenopause.
Progesterone
Produced mainly after ovulation, progesterone helps prepare and maintain the uterine lining. Its levels depend on whether ovulation has taken place. It is inaccurate to describe progesterone simply as a “calming hormone.”
Cortisol
A hormone that plays a normal role in the body's stress response, metabolism and daily wake–sleep rhythm. High or low cortisol can occur for several reasons; feeling stressed is not enough to diagnose a cortisol disorder.
Insulin
Helps cells use and store glucose and supports blood-glucose regulation. Its action is affected by nutrition, activity, medications and health conditions.
Thyroid hormones
Help regulate metabolism and influence temperature, heart rate and energy use. Some thyroid symptoms can overlap with concerns often attributed to perimenopause.
Which changes may be worth tracking?
Menstrual changes, hot flushes, night sweats, disrupted sleep, low mood, reduced concentration or changes in energy may occur around perimenopause. But these symptoms are not specific to menopause and may have other explanations.
What can you do next?
Start with what is observable. Note when symptoms began, how often they occur, whether periods have changed and how they affect daily life. A clinician can help determine whether investigations or treatment are appropriate. You should not need to buy a supplement to get good information about your health.
Contact a healthcare professional about heavy, unexpected or persistent bleeding, troublesome palpitations or symptoms that are worsening. Bleeding after menopause must be evaluated.
Botanical tradition and scientific evidence
Herbal teas and plant-based rituals can be enjoyable parts of a daily routine. However, a product being botanical or traditionally used does not establish that it balances hormones, treats symptoms or replaces prescribed therapies. Herb–medicine interactions are possible.
For example, wild yam does not become progesterone in the human body. Research has not established effectiveness of wild yam cream for menopausal symptoms. Any product descriptions should make these distinctions clear.
Explore further
Further reading: NHS: Symptoms · NCCIH: Menopausal symptoms · MSKCC: Wild yam.