Do you struggle with painful periods, breast tenderness, bloating, acne or fatigue?
Many women assume these symptoms are “just part of being a woman,” but they may actually be your body’s way of signalling that something isn’t quite right with your hormones.
While symptoms alone can’t diagnose a hormone imbalance, they can provide valuable clues about what may be happening beneath the surface.
As a nutrition practitioner specialising in women’s health and endometriosis, I always remind my clients that hormones don’t work in isolation. Oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, cortisol and insulin all influence one another, which is why looking at the whole picture is so important.
Let’s explore some of the most common signs associated with hormonal imbalances.
Possible Signs of High Oestrogen
Oestrogen is an essential hormone that supports reproductive health, bone health and many other functions throughout the body.
However, when oestrogen becomes high—or when there is more oestrogen relative to progesterone—some women may experience symptoms such as:
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Painful periods and cramping
- Bloating or fluid retention
- Fatigue, particularly if heavy periods have contributed to low iron levels
- Menstrual migraines or headaches
- Histamine-related symptoms, including worsening allergies, flushing or hives around your cycle
- Uterine fibroids, which are considered an oestrogen-responsive condition
- Endometriosis, an inflammatory condition influenced by oestrogen
It’s worth remembering that these symptoms can have many possible causes, and experiencing them doesn’t necessarily mean your oestrogen is “too high.”
Instead, they’re useful starting points for further investigation.
Possible Signs of Low Oestrogen
Oestrogen naturally declines during perimenopause and menopause, but low levels can also occur earlier in life for a variety of reasons.
Possible symptoms include:
- Absent or irregular periods
- Hot flushes or night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Pain during intercourse
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood changes
- Brain fog or poor concentration
- Joint aches or stiffness
- Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Low oestrogen can affect quality of life significantly, so it’s important to identify the underlying cause rather than simply treating symptoms.
Could Low Progesterone Be Contributing?
Progesterone is often referred to as the body’s calming hormone.
Produced after ovulation, it plays a key role in regulating the menstrual cycle, supporting early pregnancy and balancing the effects of oestrogen.
Possible signs of low progesterone may include:
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Anxiety, irritability or mood changes
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
- Spotting before your period
- Shorter menstrual cycles
- Heavy or irregular periods
- Difficulty conceiving if ovulation isn’t occurring regularly
- Recurrent early miscarriage in some cases*
- Menstrual migraines
- Breast tenderness, particularly when progesterone is low relative to oestrogen
Because progesterone is only produced after ovulation, low progesterone may sometimes reflect that ovulation isn’t occurring consistently.
Possible Signs of High Testosterone (Androgens)
Although testosterone is often considered a male hormone, women also need healthy levels for energy, muscle health and libido.
However, elevated androgen levels may contribute to symptoms including:
- Acne, especially around the jawline or chin
- Excess facial or body hair (hirsutism)
- Oily skin
- Scalp hair thinning or androgenic hair loss
- Irregular or absent periods
- Difficulty conceiving due to irregular ovulation
- Insulin resistance or elevated blood sugar
- Features commonly associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
High testosterone isn’t always caused by PCOS, but it is one of the most common hormonal patterns seen in women with the condition.
Possible Signs of Low Testosterone
Low testosterone in women receives far less attention than it deserves.
Although research is still evolving, low levels may contribute to:
- Reduced libido
- Decreased sexual arousal
- Low energy
- Reduced muscle strength
- Poor motivation
- Reduced sense of wellbeing
As with all hormones, testosterone should be interpreted alongside symptoms, medical history and, where appropriate, laboratory testing.
Hormones Rarely Work Alone
One of the biggest misconceptions is that a single hormone is responsible for every symptom.
In reality, hormone health is influenced by many interconnected systems, including:
- Nutrition and nutrient status
- Gut health and the gut microbiome
- Liver function and hormone metabolism
- Blood sugar regulation
- Stress and cortisol
- Sleep quality
- Inflammation
- Environmental exposures
- Thyroid health
This is why a personalised assessment is often far more valuable than trying to self-diagnose based on symptoms alone.
When Should You Seek Support?
If your symptoms are affecting your daily life, don’t ignore them.
Painful periods, extremely heavy bleeding, persistent fatigue, irregular cycles or difficulty conceiving are not things you simply have to “put up with.”
Understanding what’s driving your symptoms is the first step towards finding the right support.
A Personalised Approach to Women’s Hormone Health
As a nutrition practitioner specialising in hormone health, endometriosis and women’s wellbeing, I work with women to identify the factors that may be contributing to hormonal symptoms.
Rather than chasing a single hormone or relying on generic advice, my approach considers your health history, symptoms, nutrition, lifestyle and, where appropriate, functional testing to create a plan that’s tailored to you.
Whether you’re living with endometriosis, PCOS, painful periods, PMS or simply feel that your hormones are “out of balance,” personalised nutrition and lifestyle support may help you better understand your body and feel more in control of your health.
Remember: symptoms are clues—not a diagnosis. If you’ve recognised yourself in several of the signs above, it may be time to investigate further and explore a personalised plan that supports your unique hormonal health.
