Hormonal Health 101: What Every Body Needs to Know

Casey Zeck
Jun 17, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Jun 24, 2025

When we talk about hormones, most people think of mood swings, periods, or maybe puberty. But the truth is: hormones are involved in every single function in your body—from how well you sleep to how clearly you think, to your metabolism, fertility, energy, and emotional well-being.

And when your hormones are out of balance, it can feel like your body is working against you.

The key to feeling like yourself again often lies in supporting your endocrine system—your body’s hormone command center.

What Is the Endocrine System? A Quick Breakdown

The endocrine system is a network of glands and organs that produce and regulate hormones—chemical messengers that tell your body how to function. It works closely with your nervous system to maintain internal balance (homeostasis).

Major glands include:

Hypothalamus and pituitary (master regulators in the brain)
Thyroid and parathyroid (metabolism, calcium regulation)
Adrenals (stress response, cortisol, aldosterone)
Pancreas (blood sugar regulation)
Ovaries and testes (sex hormones)

These glands release hormones that affect everything from:

Energy & metabolism
Mood & mental clarity
Growth & development
Reproductive cycles
Blood sugar & appetite
Immune function
Stress resilience
Sleep-wake cycles

What Happens When Hormones Are Out of Balance?

When this system isn’t functioning properly—whether due to stress, toxins, poor diet, or lack of sleep—your body starts to show signs. Hormones are incredibly sensitive to internal and external triggers, including inflammation, chemicals, and even light exposure.

Men vs. Women: Hormonal Differences & Timing

Both men and women have estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and thyroid hormones—but in different ratios and patterns. In women: Hormone levels naturally fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. For example:

Follicular phase: Estrogen begins rising (energy and mood often increase)
Ovulation: Peak estrogen and a spike in luteinizing hormone (libido + glow)
Luteal phase: Progesterone rises, estrogen falls (mood dips, bloating possible)
Menstruation: Hormones drop to baseline

Women are biologically designed to run on a monthly rhythm; when that rhythm is disrupted by external toxins or stress, symptoms show up fast.

In men: Testosterone stays more stable day-to-day, but chronic stress, poor diet, and environmental toxins can still cause a significant decline, affecting energy, libido, muscle mass, and mood.

Top 10 Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

Whether male or female, here are the most common signs your hormones need attention:

Chronic fatigue
Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
Irregular or painful periods
Weight gain (especially around the midsection)
Low libido
Trouble sleeping
Hair thinning or hair loss
Brain fog or memory issues
Blood sugar crashes or cravings
Skin issues (acne, dryness, or melasma)

Top 20 Common Household Items That Disrupt Hormones

Many of the toxins affecting your endocrine system are hiding in plain sight. Known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), these substances mimic or block your natural hormones, wreaking havoc at the cellular level.

Here’s what to watch out for:

Fragrance (parfums) – in candles, sprays, lotions
Plastic food containers (BPA, phthalates)
Nonstick cookware (Teflon, PFAS)
Conventional laundry detergent
Dryer sheets
Air fresheners
Bleach and ammonia cleaners
Flame retardants in furniture
Plastic toys and teething items
Scented feminine products or pads
Conventional tampons (bleached cotton)
Canned foods (BPA linings)
Processed foods with preservatives (BHT, TBHQ)
Soy-based formulas or protein powders
Tap water (often contains trace pharmaceuticals, chlorine, fluoride)
Nail polish and remover (formaldehyde, toluene)
Synthetic skincare and makeup (look for PEGs, parabens)
Sunscreens with oxybenzone and avobenzone
Pesticides on conventional produce
Artificial sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose)

A Holistic Approach to Hormonal Health = Cellular Health

Holistic hormone balance isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about supporting the systems beneath the symptoms, especially your cells. Because here’s the truth: What you eat, breathe, apply, and surround yourself with gets absorbed into your body—and into your cells. And your cells run your hormones.

Small shifts like switching to natural cleaners, upgrading your skincare, or adding magnesium-rich whole foods can deeply impact your hormone health over time.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re postpartum, perimenopausal, or just trying to feel like yourself again—supporting your endocrine system is essential. And it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

You don’t need to change everything overnight, just start somewhere. Swap one product. Drink more clean water. Nourish your body with minerals. And keep asking: “Is this helping or hurting my hormones?”

Want help lowering your toxic load, balancing your hormones naturally, or supporting your cycle with food and lifestyle? Follow @caseyzeckk or visit the clean swaps page at www.caseyzeck.com for holistic wellness tools that support the woman and the cells inside her.