Hormones Out of Whack? Here’s What Your Body’s Trying to Tell You

Have you ever felt off — like your body is working against you, but you can’t quite figure out why?

Maybe you’re constantly tired, snapping at people you love, or can’t seem to lose weight no matter how clean you eat. Maybe your periods are irregular, or you’ve lost that spark you once had. If this sounds familiar, your hormones may be waving a big red flag for help. At Functional Medicine Los Angeles, we help clients uncover the root causes of these imbalances and create personalized solutions for lasting wellness.

Let’s break this down.

What Are Hormones, Really?

Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through your bloodstream, telling your organs and systems what to do. They control everything from your mood, metabolism, sleep, energy, sex drive, appetite, and even how your body stores fat.

When these messengers are in balance, you feel energized, focused, emotionally steady, and in control of your body. But when they’re out of sync? That’s when things start to unravel. Our functional medicine doctors specialize in identifying hidden imbalances that traditional approaches often miss.

Common (But Overlooked) Signs of Hormonal Imbalance

Many people write off these symptoms as “normal” or just part of getting older—but they’re not normal. They’re messages from your body asking for support. At functional medicine Sherman Oaks, we regularly see clients experiencing:

1. Fatigue even after a full night’s sleep
2. Mood swings, anxiety, or low motivation
3. Brain fog or forgetfulness
4.  Stubborn weight gain, especially around the belly
5. Low libido or sexual dysfunction
6. Irregular or painful menstrual cycles
7. Trouble sleeping or waking up wired at 3 a.m.

Sound familiar?

Meet Your Hormone Dream Team

Here are the key hormone players that keep your body running smoothly:

1. Cortisol– Your stress hormone. Too much = burnout, belly fat, insomnia
2. Insulin– Manages blood sugar. When off, it leads to cravings and weight gain
3. Estrogen & Progesterone– Female sex hormones. Imbalance = PMS, heavy periods, mood changes
4. Testosterone– Yes, women need this too! Low levels = fatigue and low libido
5. Thyroid hormones– Control metabolism, energy, body temp. Imbalance = sluggishness and weight gain

What Throws Hormones Off Balance?

Hormones are sensitive. Here are the top disruptors:

1. Chronic stress– keeps cortisol high and drains your adrenals
2. Processed foods & sugar– spike insulin and cause inflammation
3. Poor gut health– leads to hormone recycling issues
4. Lack of sleep– throws off melatonin, cortisol, and blood sugar control
5. Toxins– from plastics, fragrances, pesticides (called endocrine disruptors)

Even one of these can impact your hormonal balance. Combine a few, and it’s no wonder your body feels off track. That’s why functional medicine Burbank uses advanced medicine testing to identify the root cause of disruption and create a personalized plan.

Good News: You Can Bring Balance Back

Here’s the hopeful part—your body is designed to heal. With the right support, your hormones can reset and thrive. It’s not about quick fixes. It’s about tuning into what your body truly needs.

Over the next few days, we’ll explore healing recipes, practical tips, and lifestyle shifts to support your hormones and reclaim your energy, focus, and flow.

If you’ve been feeling “not yourself,” don’t ignore it. Your body isn’t broken—it’s sending signals. You don’t have to live in survival mode. Hormonal balance is within reach, and you deserve to feel like you again.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s hormone-balancing recipe that supports your body from the inside out.