What is hormonal imbalance and what are the symptoms?
Hormonal imbalance occurs when your body has an insufficient supply or surplus of hormones. These hormones are essential for overall wellness and body conditions, so even a slight imbalance can have significant effects. Common symptoms include mood swings, anxiety or depression; irregular or heavy menstruation; skin breakouts; chronic fatigue; unexplained weight gain or loss. Alternatively, signs that your hormones are in balance are regular periods; stable moods and energy levels; clear and healthy skin and a consistent weight.
Hormonal imbalance is very common in women of all ages, with most women experiencing natural fluctuations throughout their life, especially during the menopause or the menarche. However, as these changes are a common, widespread experience, symptoms can sometimes be overlooked, ignored or dismissed by ineffective treatment. While conventional medicine can offer an array of treatments that can be successful for some, a natural approach can be more beneficial and effective. Homeopathy offers a personalised, holistic approach, addressing all symptoms and causes of hormonal imbalance to provide an effective, gentle alternative.
What natural treatment can be used for hormonal imbalance, specifically in women?
There are many natural approaches which can support your hormones gently. Firstly, regularly exercising supports insulin levels and reduces the risk of type two diabetes, as well as lowering stress levels by reducing stress hormones like cortisol, and boosting serotonin levels and endorphins for a happier mood. Similarly, maintaining a moderate weight keeps your body in balance and improves insulin sensitivity, which stabilises blood sugar levels. Gut health is also an incredibly important factor. A healthy gut regulates oestrogen levels and keeps inflammation down, maintaining a steady blood sugar level. A healthy gut can be achieved by eating plenty of fibre, fermented foods and limiting ultra-processed food, as well as staying hydrated, managing stress and sleeping well. Finally, gaining enough sleep is vital for balanced hormones, as it reduces cortisol and thus reduces stress, regulates your hunger and fullness hormones and allows growth hormone to be released during deep sleep which is essential for metabolism and cell growth and repair. All in all there are many natural approaches to reduce hormonal imbalance.
(Source – https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/balance-hormones#weight)
What herbal treatment can be used for hormonal imbalance, specifically in women?
Herbal remedies can also facilitate healthy hormone levels by offering a gentle approach which works in harmony with your body, addressing the causes of any hormonal imbalances rather than suppressing symptoms, and allowing the body to self-regulate. Examples of herbs that can be used are:
- Ashwagandha: lowers cortisol levels, regulates periods and PMS by stabilising hormones, and can ease menopause and perimenopause symptoms like hot flushes due to lowering elevated levels of FSH and LH.
- Red clover: supports oestrogen balance and is effective for symptoms of the menopause.
- Holy basil: lowers cortisol levels reducing stress; reduces inflammation and stabilises mood and sleep (helpful for the menopause).
- Evening primrose oil: causes PMS relief through alleviating symptoms like irritability and bloating, nourishes the skin barrier for hydrated skin, and helps reduce the severity and frequency of hot flushes and night sweats.
- Ginger: is a common herb which contains phytoestrogens which regulate oestrogen levels and FSH levels, providing relief from hot flushes. Ginger also lowers inflammation and period pain.
(Source- https://www.thenutritioninstitute.com/za/en/blog-top-12-herbs-for-hormone-balance)
How to regulate your hormones
Regulating hormones requires simple steps which can be done with some quick fixes. Like prioritising adequate sleep, managing stress levels, eating well (lots of fibre and protein and some healthy fats with little ultra -processed foods), drinking lots of water, and exercising regularly are the five cornerstones of maintaining balanced hormones (and living a healthy lifestyle.)
- Adequate sleep: this can be achieved through 7 or 8 hours a night, and regulates cortisol, as well as balancing hunger hormones and releasing growth hormone. Struggling with sleep can be countered by reducing screen time before bed and having a comforting bedtime routine, perhaps including some meditation or reading to relax the mind before sleeping.
- Managing stress levels: this is incredibly important for both physical and mental health. Managing stress regulates and reduces cortisol levels (which disrupts oestrogen balance and thyroid function). Reducing stress can be facilitated through healthy boundaries, meditation or breath work, and making time to do things you enjoy.
- Eating well: involves a protein, fibre rich diet for regulating stress and hunger hormones. Eating mindfully (minimising distractions and eating slowly) can reduce the chance of over-eating. As well as that, reducing ultra processed foods is important as it prevents dramatic spikes and crashes in insulin (blood sugar levels) that they cause. Ultra processed food can encourage health conditions, overeating and an unhealthy gut. Swaps can be made, for example sugary cereal can be replaced with simple granola. A healthy diet also includes hydrating regularly to flush out toxins and aid digestion.
- Exercising regularly: this releases endorphins and reduces cortisol, reducing stress, as well as causing surges in growth hormones for tissue repair and metabolism. If you struggle with incorporating this into your daily life, make sure you view exercise positively and make it fun, it doesn’t have to be an intense gym workout! Exercising for you could be a tennis match with friends, or a long walk with your dog.
What are some natural remedies to help hormonal replacement therapy?
Hormonal replacement therapy is usually used for the perimenopause and menopause and in the UK, around 14% of menopausal women use it. You can gain the benefit of homeopathic remedies alongside this treatment so you don’t rely solely on HRT and this can help you tackle all your symptoms and allow your body to self-regulate too.
One of the main ways of supporting HRT is through adapting your diet. Eating more phytoestrogens (which is present in tofu, edamame, miso, flaxseeds and some nuts) greatly helps to balance hormones by supplying oestrogen when there are low levels in the body.
Moreover, herbal supplements (as mentioned earlier) can provide or balance hormones, alleviating some symptoms felt with the menopause, like hot flashes. There are many different herbs that can work, including red clover (which contains a compound which acts like oestrogen – like a natural form of HRT) , black cohosh (for hot flashes and night sweats), and maca root (used to balance hormones, improve mood, and boost energy levels).
Finally, lifestyle adjustments can also be made to support HRT use. Exercise helps regulate hormones naturally and maintains bone health, stress management through meditation or yoga can ease anxiety, reducing the frequency of hot flashes; and limiting intake of spicy food, caffeine and alcohol can lower the chance of having hot flushes.
How can homeopathic medicine help with the menopause and hormonal balancing treatment?
Homeopathic medicine can help with the menopause and hormonal balancing treatment by tackling your symptoms and holistically addressing the root cause at a mental, emotional and physical level.
Sepia
Sepia is a homeopathic medicine that is known for its affinity with female hormones. If you suffer from a hormonal imbalance and perhaps this has come on at a time of hormonal fluctuation, e.g. puberty, pregnancy, peri/menopause then this may be a useful homeopathic medicine for you to have to establish good hormone balance. The periods may be late and scanty or early and profuse. There can be dryness during intercourse and a lower libido. If you feel angry, sensitive to others and irritable then this can be a useful Homeopathic remedy for you.
Pulsatilla
Pulsatilla is also a homeopathic medicine that has a large female symptom picture and is great at delivering homeopathic hormone balancing. It is indicated when the period is delayed or irregular. It can often be accompanied by a headache. The bleed can be dark and thick. Pulsatilla is a changeable remedy and those that benefit from it will feel timid, emotional, and tearful with changeable moods.
Cimicifuga
Cimicifuga is a homeopathic medicine often used for hormonal imbalance in females. The period is profuse, dark, and coagulated. It can be irregular in time and flow, and there is sensitivity in the body, often accompanied by a backache, and or pain across the pelvis. The periods can stop during times of emotional disturbance. Emotionally you feel gloomy and dejected and a feeling of exhaustion.
Lachesis
Lachesis is used for hormonal imbalance often during peri/menopause, especially where there are hot flashes, headaches, or palpitations. The period can be short and feeble, often darker in colour and with an acrid smell. With this scanty period comes more pain. Libido is often elevated. You will feel a nervous excitability often with a desire to talk a lot, jumping from subject to subject! You can also feel suspicious or jealous of others when your hormones are out of balance.
The Healthy Homeopathy Women’s Hormonal Health Treatment Plan
The Healthy Homeopathy Calm Anxiety Treatment Plan is carefully designed to support women experiencing:
- Irregular periods and period pain
- PMS & PMDD
- PMOS / PCOS
- Hormonal imbalance
- Endometriosis
- Hormonal acne
- Family planning
This personalised programme combines homeopathy for hormonal symptoms with supportive lifestyle guidance to help you feel calmer, more balanced and emotionally supported.
As part of the Treatment Plan, you will receive:
- individualised homeopathic prescribing
- structured follow up support
- guidance tailored to your symptoms
The Women’s Hormonal Health Treatment Plan is suitable for women looking for a more natural and holistic approach to hormonal health, symptoms and wellbeing.
Begin by booking a Free Consultation.
This consultation gives you the opportunity to ask questions and explore whether homeopathic treatment is the right approach for you.
What’s Included in the Treatment Plan?
- 3 x in depth 1:1 online consultations
- 3 x check in support calls
- individualised homeopathic prescribing
- mindfulness protocol
- nourishment protocol
We work successfully with clients across the UK, USA and Canada.
