Hormonal imbalance

What is hormonal imbalance and how does it affect your health?

Hormonal imbalance occurs when the body produces too much or too little of one or more hormones. These chemical messengers regulate almost every major function in the body — from metabolism and mood to sleep, libido, and menstrual cycles. Even small shifts can lead to noticeable changes in how you feel or function.

When your hormones are in balance, your body runs like a well-oiled machine. But when things go off course, the symptoms can be diverse and sometimes confusing. For men and women, the delicate interplay between oestrogen, testosetrone, DHEA, progesterone, cortisol, insulin, and thyroid hormones means that imbalances can show up in a wide range of physical and emotional ways.

Unchecked, hormonal imbalances can contribute to longer-term conditions like PCOS, adrenal fatigue, thyroid dysfunction, and even metabolic disorders.

Which symptoms point to a possible hormonal imbalance?

Hormonal imbalance often shows up through subtle (or not-so-subtle) changes in your body or mood. Some signs to look out for include:

• Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
• Mood swings, anxiety, or low mood
• Irregular or painful periods
• Bloating or digestive issues
• Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
• Persistent acne, especially along the jawline
• Weight gain or weight loss resistance
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• Low libido or vaginal dryness
• Hair thinning or loss
• Cold hands and feet, or sensitivity to cold

What causes hormonal imbalance and why is it so common?

Hormonal imbalance can stem from a variety of root causes. Some of the most common include:

Chronic stress
Prolonged stress increases cortisol, which in turn can throw off other hormones like progesterone, thyroid hormones, and cortisol.

Poor nutrition and blood sugar instability
Diets high in refined carbs, sugar, or processed foods can disrupt insulin and sex hormone levels, especially in conditions like PCOS.

Gut dysfunction
The gut plays a crucial role in hormone detoxification. Poor gut health can lead to re-circulating high progesterone, oestrogens or inflammation-driven imbalance.

Liver overload
The liver helps break down and eliminate hormones. If it’s burdened with heavy metals, toxins, alcohol, or poor diet, hormonal processing can stall.

Sleep disruption
Hormone repair happens during deep sleep. Disrupted sleep can lead to problems with cortisol, melatonin, growth hormone and even sex hormones.

Birth control or hormone-based medication
These can alter your body’s natural hormone production and feedback loops, often long after you stop using them.

Underlying conditions
Conditions like thyroid dysfunction, PCOS, andropause and menopause can drive imbalance and worsen symptoms if not addressed holistically.

How do you know for sure if your symptoms are hormone-related?

Identifying hormonal imbalance starts with listening to your body — but it often requires more than just standard blood work.

Functional lab testing is typically the most accurate way to get a full picture of what’s happening with your hormones. This may include:

• Saliva or urine hormone panels to track cortisol rhythm, oestrogen to progesterone ratio, testosterone, and DHEA
• Thyroid panels, including TSH, free T3, free T4, and antibodies
• Gut testing to uncover digestive or absorption issues that may affect hormone clearance
• Heavy metal testing to identify toxic overload

It’s also worth working with a Functional Medicine Specialist who can interpret these results within the bigger picture of your symptoms, history, and lifestyle.

What can you do daily to prevent or rebalance your hormones naturally?

Balancing hormones starts with consistent habits. The following tips can support hormonal health over time:

• Eat whole, nutrient-dense foods and reduce sugar and refined carbs
• Prioritise protein and healthy fats at each meal to support stable blood sugar
• Make sleep a non-negotiable — aim for 7–9 hours of restful sleep
• Manage stress with techniques like yoga, breathwork, or walking
• Avoid endocrine disruptors in personal care products and plastics
• Support gut health with fibre, fermented foods, and adequate hydration
• Move your body regularly — strength training and walking are especially helpful

Which long-term strategies help restore hormonal balance and reduce symptoms?

Managing hormonal imbalance often involves more than a quick fix. A root-cause approach works best — one that looks beyond symptom suppression.

This includes:

• Functional lab testing to pinpoint exact imbalances
• Tailored nutrition strategies to address nutrient deficiencies
• Support for liver and gut detox pathways
• Specific supplements or herbs (as advised by a practitioner) to gently nudge hormone production
• Adjusting exercise routines to match your hormone patterns (e.g. lighter workouts during luteal phase)
• Tracking symptoms through a cycle journal or health app

Hormone balance is dynamic — not static. So consistent tracking, retesting, adjustments, and support over time are key to long-term results.

How do we help rebalance hormones with personalised care at home?

At Forbes.health, we believe that true hormone health starts with understanding the root causes — not just managing the symptoms. Our Functional Medicine Specialists work with you to identify the underlying imbalances using advanced lab testing you can do from the comfort of your home.

Here’s how we support you:

• Root cause healing: We dig deep to find out why you feel the way you do
• Personalised care: Your journey is unique, and so is your plan
• Targeted nutrition & movement guidance: Realistic, practical changes that fit your lifestyle
• Clear results & expert explanations: So you understand what your body is telling you
• Ongoing check-ins and digital support tools: For accountability and real progress
• Easy at-home testing & retesting: To track improvements over time

We’re here to help you feel like yourself again — with energy, clarity, and balance.