“I have no energy.”
“My sex drive is gone, and I feel dry and uncomfortable.”
“I can’t focus, and I’m not sleeping well.”
“I’ve gained weight and body fat I can’t seem to lose.”
“I feel down all the time and nothing brings me joy anymore.”
If any of these thoughts sound familiar, you’re not alone—and you’re not just imagining things. These are common signs of hormonal imbalance in women, and they can significantly affect your quality of life. The good news? There are ways to restore balance, improve your symptoms, and feel like yourself again. Take our hormonal imbalance quiz to find out how we can help.
At Chicagoland Women’s Health, we specialize in helping women identify and treat hormonal imbalances with compassionate, personalized care. In this post, we’ll walk through what hormone imbalance is, why it happens, the symptoms to look out for, and what you can do to feel better.
What Is Hormonal Imbalance?
Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers. They regulate everything from your metabolism and mood to your sleep patterns, sex drive, and energy levels. When hormones are in balance, everything tends to run smoothly. But when they’re out of balance—even slightly—it can throw your whole system off.
For women, key hormones include:
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Estrogen
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Progesterone
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Testosterone
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Thyroid hormones (T3, T4)
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Cortisol (the stress hormone)
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Insulin
A hormonal imbalance means that your body is producing too much or too little of one or more of these hormones. It can be temporary or chronic, and it can occur at any age—not just during menopause.
Common Causes of Hormonal Imbalance in Women
Hormonal shifts are a normal part of life, especially during puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. But other factors can contribute to an imbalance, including:
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Chronic stress
Stress triggers the release of cortisol, which can suppress reproductive hormones and disrupt sleep, mood, and metabolism. -
Poor diet
A diet high in sugar, processed foods, or lacking key nutrients can cause insulin resistance, inflammation, and hormone disruption. -
Lack of exercise (or over-exercising)
Movement helps regulate hormones, but too much intense exercise can cause the opposite effect. -
Environmental toxins
Chemicals found in plastics, beauty products, and cleaning supplies can act as endocrine disruptors. -
Thyroid dysfunction
Underactive (hypothyroid) or overactive (hyperthyroid) glands can have a major effect on energy, mood, weight, and more. -
Perimenopause or menopause
As estrogen and progesterone levels decline with age, women may start to experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms.
Six Telltale Signs of Hormone Imbalance
Let’s take a closer look at six of the most common complaints women bring to us—and how each may be linked to hormones:
1. Low Energy
You feel constantly fatigued, even after a full night’s sleep. Tasks that used to feel easy now take everything you’ve got.
Why it happens:
Low energy can be tied to low thyroid function (hypothyroidism), adrenal fatigue, or low estrogen or testosterone levels. Hormones help regulate how efficiently your cells produce energy—when they’re off, your batteries are never fully charged.
2. Decreased Sex Drive & Vaginal Dryness
You’ve noticed a drop in your libido, and intimacy may feel uncomfortable or even painful due to dryness.
Why it happens:
Declining estrogen levels—common during perimenopause and menopause—can lead to thinning vaginal tissues and less natural lubrication. Testosterone, often thought of as a male hormone, also plays a key role in female desire.
3. Trouble Focusing (Brain Fog)
You struggle to concentrate, forget things easily, or feel mentally foggy during the day.
Why it happens:
Estrogen, thyroid hormones, and cortisol all play a part in brain function. Estrogen, in particular, supports memory and cognitive sharpness. When levels drop, so can mental clarity.
4. Poor Sleep
Falling asleep is tough. Staying asleep is tougher. You wake up tired no matter how long you’ve been in bed.
Why it happens:
Low progesterone can lead to restlessness or insomnia. Elevated cortisol from chronic stress can also keep your body in a state of “fight or flight,” preventing deep, restorative sleep.
5. Weight Gain and Increased Body Fat
You’ve noticed more fat around your belly, hips, or thighs—even though your eating habits haven’t changed.
Why it happens:
Hormones like insulin, cortisol, estrogen, and thyroid hormones all affect how your body stores fat. An imbalance may lead to slower metabolism, increased cravings, or fat being stored in new places.
6. Feeling Sad or Emotionally Numb
You’re not just tired—you feel emotionally flat. The things that used to make you happy don’t anymore.
Why it happens:
Estrogen influences serotonin and dopamine, two key mood-regulating neurotransmitters. If estrogen drops, your brain’s “feel-good” chemicals may decrease too. Low testosterone and thyroid function can also contribute to depression-like symptoms.
What You Can Do About It
If you’re nodding along to these symptoms, it’s time to take action. Here’s how Chicagoland Women’s Health can help you reclaim your health and vitality:
1. Comprehensive Hormone Testing
We don’t guess—we test. Our team uses advanced blood, saliva, and/or urine tests to assess your hormone levels, thyroid function, cortisol patterns, and more. This helps us uncover the root cause of your symptoms.
2. Personalized Treatment Plans
No two women are alike, and neither are their hormones. Based on your test results, we’ll create a plan that may include:
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Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) – Natural hormones designed to match those your body produces, often used to restore estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels.
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Thyroid support – Targeted treatments to restore optimal thyroid function.
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Adrenal balancing – Strategies to lower cortisol and support your stress response.
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Lifestyle changes – Nutrition, movement, and sleep guidance to support your healing.
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Supplements – Targeted vitamins and herbs to balance hormones naturally.
3. Ongoing Support & Monitoring
Hormonal healing doesn’t happen overnight. We’ll track your progress, retest as needed, and adjust your plan to keep you on the path to lasting wellness.
You Don’t Have to Settle for “Just Getting Older”
Too often, women are told their symptoms are “just part of aging” or “in their head.” We’re here to tell you that what you’re feeling is real—and it’s treatable. You deserve to feel vibrant, energized, and emotionally alive, no matter your age.
At Chicagoland Women’s Health, we take the time to listen to your story, identify what’s going on beneath the surface, and help you feel like yourself again.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you’re tired of feeling tired… if your energy, libido, focus, or joy have faded… you don’t have to keep pushing through alone.
Contact Chicagoland Women’s Health today to schedule your hormone consultation. We’ll help you get the answers you need—and the relief you deserve.