Finding the Root of Hormone Imbalances
When it comes to hormone imbalances, one of the most common upstream contributors is something known as the Cortisol Steal. This phenomenon occurs when the body is under chronic stress—whether it’s physical, emotional, or environmental—and begins to prioritize producing cortisol (the stress hormone) over other essential hormones.
Cortisol is produced in the adrenal glands, and when the body is in a constant state of fight-or-flight, it uses pregnenolone, a critical building block for many hormones, to produce more cortisol. Unfortunately, this can leave other hormones like progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, and even thyroid hormones in short supply.
The result? A whole cascade of hormonal imbalances. Symptoms can include:
- Fatigue and low energy
- Mood swings and irritability
- Weight gain, especially around the midsection
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
- Low libido
- Irregular or painful menstrual cycles
- Insomnia or restless sleep
Addressing the Cortisol Steal requires looking at the root causes of chronic stress and creating a healing environment that allows the body to restore balance. This includes:
- Supporting the Adrenals: Using adaptogenic herbs, magnesium, B vitamins, and lifestyle changes to help the body better handle stress.
- Rebalancing Hormones: Providing the right nutrients and lifestyle changes to support progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone production.
- Nourishing the Nervous System: Encouraging rest, relaxation, and mindfulness practices to calm the body’s stress response.
- Reducing Inflammation: Supporting detox pathways, reducing toxic load, and addressing gut health to eliminate hidden stressors.
At Modern Holistic Wellness Center, we have various ways to check your stress and cortisol levels during your intake appointment, allowing us to gain valuable insights into your hormone health and create a personalized plan to help you restore balance.
The Cortisol Steal is often the first layer that needs to be addressed when dealing with hormone imbalances. Restoring balance to the adrenals and giving the body the tools it needs to heal can make all the difference. 🌿💚
Written by Mikayla Mersereau, IHP2
Founder of Modern Holistic, Mikayla blends her 16+ years of emergency department experience with a passion for functional medicine and root-cause healing. She specializes in helping women (and men) rebalance hormones, restore gut health, and feel like themselves again—without the overwhelm.
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