Why Modern Stress is Wrecking Women's Hormones & What to Do

Stress – we all experience it, and we all seek to alleviate it—to some degree—to feel our best. Modern life presents a great deal of pressure to manage so many things at once: parenting, work, paying the bills, health issues that arise, social & ecological concerns, and trying to keep ourselves and our families well despite countless environmental challenges. The list goes on.

But not all stress is bad; in fact, it is a natural reaction that can potentially keep us safe, contribute to enjoyable feelings like excitement, and encourage personal growth. However, when experienced at high levels over extended periods, it can contribute to numerous health imbalances and illnesses. (5)

Stress affects us all, but because stress directly impacts our hormones, women are particularly susceptible to its harmful impacts, due to our ever-evolving hormonal fluctuations, far more variable than those of men. And because women undergo the stressors of pregnancy & childbirth, as well as the responsibilities that come along with those roles, we are especially challenged by the negative effects of culturally-imposed stress.

What is stress?

Stress is a natural response to life’s challenges—a disruption of balance between ourselves and our environment. Not all stress is bad. In fact, mild stress can be beneficial, helping us stay alert, grow through discomfort, and build resilience. This type of stress typically resolves once the challenge passes.

On the other hand, distress is prolonged, overwhelming, and often without a clear end. It can stem from major life events or the ongoing pressures of modern life, parenting, health issues, or work demands. This kind of stress disrupts our equilibrium and contributes to a wide range of health imbalances.

As we move forward, we’ll focus on this chronic, unresolved form of stress and its impact on overall wellness.

What causes stress is not the same for everyone, and how our bodies react to stress is certainly not the same for all of us. In particular, the impact of stress on women’s bodies is vastly different from that of men’s. Why? Largely, because of the difference in our hormones. (5)

What are hormones & why do they matter

Hormones are chemical messengers that impact and manage hundreds of processes in the body – including metabolism, blood pressure, blood sugar balance, body temperature, fluid & electrolyte regulation, reproduction, sleep cycle, growth & development, sexual function and mood. They are essential to our life and wellbeing. Even slight changes to our hormones can strongly affect our health and lead to circumstances that require medical care.

Hormones make up the endocrine system – releasing signals directly into the bloodstream. They are the lines of communication between multiple glands (such as adrenal glands and pineal glands), and from glands to organs (like when the pancreas releases insulin to the liver to help process glucose). And other hormones are produced by organs not included in the endocrine system, such as the liver and kidneys. (4)

The difference between male & female hormones

All humans experience cycles, but male and female cycles differ vastly from one another. While male hormones reset daily—making energy and mood relatively stable—female hormones follow a 28–33 day cycle with four phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal. Each phase brings distinct shifts in energy, mood, metabolism, and stress response due to fluctuating levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. (2)

Beyond the monthly cycle, women experience major hormonal changes throughout life: puberty, menstruation, perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. These constant shifts make the female body more sensitive to stress and its health impacts.

Ideally, we would shift our routines to reflect the intense transformations we are undergoing. Unfortunately, because the demands of modern life disallow the supportive adjustments women need for optimal wellness at each phase of our cycles, and because we are therefore forced to disconnect from this fundamental internal guidance, we are left without the fortification we need to process stress in healthy ways, resulting in countless imbalances and illnesses.

How does stress affect hormones?

Stress activates the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, releasing cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. These hormones increase heart rate, blood pressure, and energy by mobilizing glucose, while suppressing non-essential functions like digestion and reproduction.

Cortisol, our primary stress hormone, helps regulate blood sugar, blood pressure, and immune function. But when chronically elevated, it can lead to sleep issues, weight gain, mood swings, and hormonal imbalances.

Adrenaline and norepinephrine heighten alertness and prepare the body to respond to threats. Prolonged stress keeps these hormones elevated, disrupting reproductive hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—leading to irregular cycles, fertility challenges, and low libido.

Stress also affects:

Insulin: Can lead to insulin resistance and hinder weight loss.

Thyroid hormones: Chronic stress may worsen conditions like Hashimoto’s and disrupt metabolism.

At the center of this response is the HPA axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal), which coordinates hormone release. Chronic stress can cause HPA dysfunction—often called “adrenal fatigue”—resulting in poor immune function, inflammation, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and more. (6)

The stress that a mother experiences during pregnancy - and the resulting high levels of cortisol released - alters the HPA axis in infants, often affecting them into adulthood and manifesting as lack of resiliency and even disease. (6)

Additionally, according to the American Psychiatric Association, when people experience traumatic events, it can result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), impacting cortisol levels in ways that can negatively affect their physical, mental & emotional health for a lifetime. (6)

Symptoms:

Chronic stress manifests in countless imbalances and illnesses, including, but not limited to (1):

• Fatigue
• Anxious thoughts
• Irritability
• Menstrual cycle changes, including irregular/painful periods, loss of period, menopause-like symptoms (e.g. hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, acne), or exacerbated symptoms of hormonal disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Fertility struggles - lack of ovulation or irregular ovulation, low libido, and difficulty maintaining pregnancies
• Poor thyroid function
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Sleep irregularities
• Hair loss
• Mood swings
• Low libido
• Sugar cravings
• That “wired but tired” feeling

Why are we so stressed? How is modern life impacting our hormones?

We. Are. So. Dang. Busy.

The demands of modern life are not supportive of the restorative nourishment we need to be well. Women especially experience the negative impacts of this strenuous lifestyle. Pregnancy itself presents intense stress-inducing hormonal changes & challenges and not having enough time after giving birth to restore, heal & recalibrate, often exacerbates and prolongs these issues, contributing to ongoing health problems. And even for women who don’t give birth, we are perpetually seeking equilibrium as we negotiate lifelong hormonal fluctuations. (8)

According to the American Institute of Stress, rising costs, long work hours, sleep deprivation, political tension, and untreated mental health issues are fueling a nationwide stress epidemic. Many turn to conventional medicine or substances for relief, but these often worsen hormonal imbalances. For example, some painkillers and hormonal contraceptives can disrupt mood and stress responses. (7)

Of course, it’s not only in allopathic medications that our bodies are exposed to harmful chemicals. Unfortunately, many of the foods available in our grocery stores are full of toxic pesticides that disrupt our hormones, not to mention the chemical-laden products we're encouraged to slather on our skin and spray on our lawns and in our homes & workplaces.

Beyond medications, we’re exposed to hormone-disrupting chemicals in food, skincare, cleaning products, and even our environment—like blue light from screens, which interferes with sleep and circadian rhythms.

To cope, many rely on stimulants like caffeine and depressants like alcohol, creating a cycle of highs and lows that depletes adrenal function and contributes to anxiety, depression, and other health issues. (7)

What can we do about it?

Has reading about stress made you even more stressed, worrying about what to do now?

Then this is a perfect moment to pause. Breathe. And repeat, until you feel you.

No matter how stressed we become, there is an intelligent network of information within us, ready to inform us of what we need. Slowing down to connect with ourselves & listen in this way is the foundation of stress reduction & improved health. And it is crucial in finding the healing path that is right for us as individuals – we are all different & there is not one perfect prescription for all people.

There is increasing validation in the scientific community for the health benefits of spending time in nature, but let’s not forget that we are nature too. Our own internal guidance system is accessible to all of us, always, and as such, is our most powerful tool for our wellness.

If you already suspect you have a hormone imbalance due to stress, you are likely tired and the prospect of making any major changes may feel overwhelming. Know that any adjustments we make to improve our health are incremental, and each step we take is a step in the right direction. Showing up for ourselves is brave. Perfection is not really a thing. We are doing our best, and we are not alone.

Here’s a simple breakdown of steps to support our hormones and feel less stressed:

1. Pause. Listen to you. Make time to slow down – time in nature, including time with our own internal nature. Allowing time for doing nothing, listening within. Even small 5-10 minute breaks can make a difference, if that’s all we can manage. Do what you can & trust that it’s enough.

2. Keep learning. We have created a supportive guide - What No One Tells You About Hormone Balance - to help you go deeper into knowing & healing your hormones, Understanding Menopause & Perimenopause, and Stress Less: A Guide to Stress & Anxiety to offer more information & options for coping with life’s challenges.

3. Eat right for you. The most important thing we can do when it comes to eating is avoid processed, unnatural & refined foods. Focus on whole, organic, and wild-sourced ingredients whenever possible. Prioritize protein and minimize refined sugar to help stabilize blood sugar and support adrenal health.

There’s no one-size-fits-all diet, and your nutritional needs can change over time. A simple food diary—tracking what you eat and how you feel—can be a powerful tool to discover what truly supports your body. We know it can be tough to eat as well as our bodies need when we’re juggling so many things, and we’ve created our powdered nutrition blends to help provide us with the good stuff even when we’re on the go. Our Greens Powder is a plentiful vitamin and mineral-rich blend & our Super foods Powder adds even more powerful nutrient-dense foods – both highly supportive of a healthy gut.

You can also reference our Understanding the 4 Phases of Your Cycle & How to Eat for Them guide for a helpful framework to nourish yourself with your natural cycles, and our Super Food Mini Cookbook is a great resource for some simple, nutritious recipes.

4. Support your system with nature’s medicine. No matter how well we eat, it’s difficult to get all the vitamins & minerals our bodies need from our food alone, and oftentimes we need on-the-go assistance. That’s why Earthley has created some deeply nourishing supplements to fortify us for the road ahead, especially when stress is depleting us of much-needed nutrients.

Magnesium is essential to the proper functioning of our hormones, and decreases when we are stressed, which can result in increased anxiety. Adding magnesium back to the body can decrease cortisol and therefore stress levels, as well as helping protect the brain from free radical production, promoting balanced sleep, and supporting healthy detox. Our Magnesium Lotion delivers magnesium in its most bioavailable form – topically – in a luxuriously moisturizing body butter. Magnesium is also found in pumpkin seeds, bananas, chocolate, and broccoli.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids are crucial to brain health, immune health and proper hormone function, and are depleted by stress. Our sustainably sourced Cod Liver Oil is a potent form of these essential fatty acids, as well as the Vitamin A & Vitamin D our bodies need.

Vitamin C plays a key role in immune and adrenal function, and is concentrated in foods like amla berry, orange peel, and dandelion leaf – all of which make up our highly bioavailable liquid Vita C extract. We have also formulated potent food sources of vitamin C into our powdered Immune Aid, to support us in all seasons, and especially as we move into the colder, more indoor months.

No matter how stressed we get, thank goodness the plants have our backs. Earthley has worked with some of nature’s most powerful allies to create fortifying formulas to support us. Natural Balance is here for hormone health, healthy stress response, and promoting energy, and is a must-have for every woman! This blend of potent herbs helps with stress-induced weight gain, poor skin health, poor sleep – issues often exacerbated during & after pregnancy and breastfeeding - and much more.

If you’re feeling sluggish, our Thyroid Support formula can help you feel unstuck.

Our Nourish Naturally formulas (available for Her, Him and Me) are highly bioavailable multivitamins, designed with a blend of nature’s powerhouse plants to deliver essential vitamins & minerals our bodies need, supporting us in navigating the stresses we face. Our Master Tonic was created for total body support when you feel run down or life gets busy. Specifically beneficial to your adrenal glands, this elixir helps you respond to stress better so you can handle everything life throws at you! Additionally, women are especially susceptible to low energy in times of depleted iron levels resulting from natural cyclical fluctuations, and Energy Plus is here to save the day with a potent combo of mineral-rich herbs – great for growing kiddos too. And we’ve bundled these blends together into a power-packed Energy & Adrenal support system.

It's not only nourishment we need to be well, but also hydration that is crucial, and even if we drink plenty of water, it generally doesn’t provide everything our bodies need. Our Electrolyte Powder provides the salt & glucose our cells need to replenish during times of high activity and during & after illness.

5. Connect with a support system. Wherever we are on our health journey, it’s important to remember we are not alone. It's complicated to be in a human body, and natural to feel overwhelmed at times as we navigate life’s ebbs and flows. Fortunately, we’re in this together, and there are people with expertise in almost any facet of health imaginable. At the very least, talking to folks we already trust may help alleviate some of our stress and potentially offer insight into our situation, or there are often support groups available in person and online for almost any issue. And – let's face it – most of us can stand to benefit from further support from professionals – whether that’s a holistic health practitioner, a therapist or counselor, an herbalist, or any combination of experts that can be woven into a network of help.

In Conclusion

Remember: These are all possible tools to support you. Don’t be overwhelmed by the multitude of options. Start simple. Start where you are. Start with a breath. And repeat until you feel - & can hear – you. Then, see what stands out to as the one next thing that feels supportive. And know that any step in the direction of your wellbeing is the right step, and is movement toward feeling better. You are showing up for yourself! You are doing great. And you are not alone.

References:

1.The 6 Hidden Culprits Behind Hormonal Imbalance (You Need to Know) - The Health Institute https://thehealthinstitute.com/2025/02/19/the-6-hidden-culprits-behind-hormonal-imbalance-you-need-to-know/

2. Understanding the 4 Phases of Your Cycle (and How to Eat for Them) | Earthley Wellness | Earthley Wellness https://earthley.com/earthleys-blog/phases-of-cycle

3. Stress and hormones - PMC Can Stress Cause a Hormone Imbalance, Dr. Jolene Brighten NMD, FABNE https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3079864/

4. Hormones: What They Are, Function & Types, Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22464-hormones

5. Is Stress Good for You? An Expert Breaks Down 3 Different Types — And How to Manage Them - The American Institute of Stress https://www.stress.org/news/is-stress-good-for-you-an-expert-breaks-down-3-different-types-and-how-to-manage-them/

6. What is HPA Axis Dysfunction + 7 Steps to Heal HPA-D, Dr. Jolene Brighten NMD, FABNE https://drbrighten.com/hpa-axis-adrenal-fatigue-and-dhea/

7. What the Latest Reports Say About Stress in America - The American Institute of Stress https://www.stress.org/news/what-the-latest-reports-say-about-stress-in-america/

8. The Gender Wage Gap Endures in the U.S. | Pew Research Center https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/03/01/the-enduring-grip-of-the-gender-pay-gap/