At a Glance

Q: What causes hormone imbalances in women?
A: Menopause and thyroid conditions are the most common causes. Symptoms like fatigue or anxiety can signal many issues, so professional testing is key.

• Hormones control mood, metabolism, and energy.
• Hormone imbalance often linked to menopause or thyroid issues.
• Avoid influencer health hacks without medical advice.

With the rise of health and lifestyle influencers on social media, more and more people are self-diagnosing with “hormone imbalances.” Christine Stahl, APRN, points out that menopause and thyroid conditions cause most hormone imbalances in women. But the condition is becoming more of a catch-all phrase popularized online. 

And if you scroll on Instagram or TikTok, you’ll likely see influencers talking about what they eat to naturally balance their hormones. 

But according to Christine, it’s not that simple. 

“You’re seeing them in a microcosm of what they’re showing,” she says. 

If you see someone sharing health hacks online that seem too good to be true, it’s because they probably are. 

Hormone imbalances 

Hormones are chemicals in our bodies responsible for several processes. This includes blood-sugar control, metabolism, mood and energy levels, and overall growth. Humans have over 50 hormones, and an imbalance happens when we have too much or too little of one or more of these chemicals. 

When Christine sees patients who suspect a hormone imbalance, they often complain of brain fog, weight gain, fatigue, heart palpitations, or unexplained anxiety. The problem, however, is that these symptoms are common for multiple conditions and illnesses, which means calling it a hormone imbalance may not be accurate. 

But if you do think your hormones are imbalanced, talk to your doctor to find the right treatment—don’t blindly self-diagnose based on social media trends. 

The role food plays in balancing hormones 

There is a lot of talk on social media about what to eat (or not eat) to balance your hormones. Some say eating enough protein for breakfast will do the trick, while others suggest reducing the amount of carbs you eat. 

But according to Christine, there is no evidence to support the idea that simple dietary changes can influence your hormone levels. 

“However,” she says, “I do feel strongly that our nutrition has a huge impact on our generalized well-being.” 

Eating a whole, balanced diet is going to help you feel better over time. Christine’s advice for following a healthy diet: Keep it simple. 

“Less processed foods and more whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.” 

The bottom line  

When it comes to stories or recommendations health and wellness influencers share, Christine warns her patients not to take everything they see at face value. 

It can be helpful to hear other people’s experiences and compare them to yours, but self-diagnosing—and more importantly, self-treating—can be dangerous. Without knowing what’s actually going on, you may be doing more harm than good. 

“There’s something to be said for when you see things come up, and it does check a few boxes for you,” Christine says. “But I think the biggest thing is to talk to your provider about it, that way we can have an open dialogue and get broader testing done.”