The more I learn, the more I realise how oversimplified the whole ‘it’s just your hormones’ explanation has become, especially for women over 40. It’s time we opened up this conversation to include the full picture.
Yes, our reproductive hormones decline as we move through perimenopause and beyond, affecting everything from sleep and mood to metabolism and skin health. But what fascinates me are the other hormonal shifts happening in parallel, often earlier and largely undetected, that shape how we feel every single day.
These subtle changes influence our energy, mood, metabolism and resilience long before we notice major symptoms.
I call them the ‘undercover’ hormones: cortisol, insulin and oxytocin. When we start paying attention to these three, the dots begin to connect in remarkable ways.
We know cortisol as the ‘stress hormone,’ but it’s actually one of your body’s most important regulators of our body, controlling energy, sleep-wake cycles, immune function and even fat burning. Here’s the curious part: cortisol doesn’t just spike during acute stress. It can slowly elevate over time in response to chronic, low-grade pressure.
Think poor sleep, constant overcommitting, blood sugar crashes or pushing through high-intensity workouts when you’re already exhausted.
As we age, our ability to bounce back from stress decreases, meaning cortisol lingers longer. This contributes to that tired-but-wired feeling, stubborn belly fat and those frustrating 3am wake-ups.
The key insight? It isn’t about eliminating stress (because that’s just life), but about regulating our response to it. Nervous system health is fundamentally a hormone conversation. When you’re constantly in fight-or-flight mode, it disrupts the delicate balance governing everything from energy and sleep to metabolism and mood.
Here’s another surprising fact: even if you eat well, exercise regularly and have no history of diabetes, your insulin sensitivity can decline with age. Insulin helps move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells, but as we get older, our cells can become less responsive.
This insulin resistance is far more common than most people realise, especially in midlife women. It often shows up subtly as:
What I’ve discovered is that this isn’t just about what we eat, it’s how we eat, when we eat, how we sleep, how we train, and yes, how we manage stress. This connection is so significant that I’ll be exploring it in more detail in a separate post.
This one really captured my attention. Oxytocin, often called the ‘love hormone,’ rises when we feel connected, safe and supported. It plays a crucial role in emotional resilience, nervous system regulation and stress recovery.
But here’s what I hadn’t fully appreciated: oxytocin also declines with age and chronic stress, making it harder to access that grounded, emotionally-connected state we need to feel safe in our bodies and relationships.
In essence, oxytocin is part of what makes life feel meaningful.
The encouraging news? Oxytocin responds beautifully to simple interventions:
It’s your hormone of belonging, reminding us to slow down and connect in our fast-paced world.
When we focus solely on estrogen and progesterone, we miss these crucial players shifting beneath the surface. Cortisol, insulin and oxytocin are quietly shaping our mood, metabolism, energy and sense of connection, yet most people aren’t discussing, testing for, or creating protocols that account for this complexity.
Hormonal health isn’t about applying quick fixes. It’s about understanding the entire hormonal ecosystem and how it all interconnects. When one hormone is disrupted, it rarely stands alone—it’s usually part of a broader conversation your body is trying to have with you.
This deeper understanding is transforming how I support my clients. Whether through nervous system regulation techniques, blood sugar balancing strategies, comprehensive testing beyond the basics or creating space for genuine connection in daily life, I’m taking a more intrinsic approach than ever before.
When we understand what’s really happening in our bodies, we can work with them instead of against them. This knowledge empowers us to make informed choices that support our overall wellbeing rather than just addressing isolated symptoms.
Have you noticed any of these shifts lately? Perhaps unexplained energy changes, sleep disruptions or a sense of disconnect you can’t quite pinpoint? These could all be clues your body is offering about deeper hormonal patterns.
As a certified health coach, I’m passionate about having these real conversations because they lead to real solutions. If any of this resonates with you, I’d love to explore how these insights might apply to your unique situation.
Ready to dig deeper into your own hormonal health? Get in touch with me. I offer personalised consultations where we can explore these connections and create a plan that works with your body’s natural rhythms.
We thought you might also be interested in:
