"I had just turned the big 3-0, but my period (or lack thereof some months) seemed to be telling me I was in the wrong decade (it couldn’t be a sign of perimenopause, could it?). I chalked it up to my obsession with working out, hoping I could will it back on its regular programming. I was too busy living on cloud nine with my then recently-developed boyfriend (now husband), making badass career moves, and setting up my new LA apartment—AKA “adulting”—to be bothered to go see my OB-GYN about it; I’d eventually get around to it. But if I’m being completely honest, I was also putting off a check-up because I was afraid I’d have to face one of my biggest fears—that I wouldn’t be able to have children. (Spoiler: One doctor misdiagnosed me with PCOS, and thankfully, the story I had already written was false. I now have a happy, thriving baby girl.) And it appears I’m in good company when it comes to brushing off health issues, whether it’s out of anxiety, life getting in the way, or society’s normalization of them.
Use code EVERYGIRL25 for 25% off through April 30!
A new study by hormonal health company Mira uncovers a critical health crisis: 68 percent of women don’t seek medical help even when experiencing symptoms that could indicate serious hormonal disorders—many of which can lead to long-term health complications if left untreated. The survey of 2,250 U.S. women found that:
- 73 percent ignore irregular menstrual cycles—a potential sign of PCOS, thyroid disease, or even endometrial cancer.
- 76 percent dismiss persistent fatigue—a red flag for metabolic disorders, adrenal fatigue, or hypothyroidism.
- 77 percent overlook suspected menopause transition—increasing their risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline.
- 91 percent ignore skin and hair issues—symptoms that could signal underlying conditions like PCOS or serious hormonal imbalances affecting fertility and metabolism.
If that’s not a rallying cry that women deserve better than to soldier on in silence, I don’t know what is. Ahead, hormone health experts dive into the hormonal health symptoms we should heed, why there’s a disconnect, and how we can close the gaps.
Experts Consulted
At The Everygirl, we believe that wellness advice should be grounded in accurate, science-backed information to ensure our readers can make informed decisions about their health and well-being. That’s why we prioritize consulting trusted, credible experts—so every piece of content is both reliable and empowering.
DR. ALI CHAPPELL, PhD, MS, RD
Dr. Chappell is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, founder, and CEO of Lilli Health. With a deep-rooted passion for advancing women’s health, she has dedicated her career to providing accessible, evidence-based care for individuals with PCOS and other reproductive conditions.
DR. MICHELLE SANDS
Dr. Sands is a licensed naturopathic physician, holistic menopause expert, and the founder and CEO of GLOW Natural Wellness. With years of clinical experience and a deep commitment to integrative medicine, she specializes in empowering women to navigate hormonal changes naturally and confidently.
DR. AMBER WHEELER, MD
Dr. Wheeler is a board-certified endocrinologist with extensive expertise in hormonal health and metabolic conditions. As an advisor for hey freya, she brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and experience to guide the brand’s approach to evidence-based wellness solutions.
What Symptoms Could Indicate Serious Hormonal Disorders?
Your hormones are working overtime regulating everything from your mood and digestion to your sleep and sex drive. And when they’re thrown off balance, there are telltale red flags that might mean it’s more than just your hormones being swayed by repeat offenders like stress, poor sleep habits, or overexercising. “Hormonal imbalances are not just about mood swings or weight gain—they can signal deeper dysfunctions that, if ignored, may snowball into serious health issues,” explained Dr. Michelle Sands, a naturopathic physician, holistic menopause expert, and founder & CEO of GLOW Natural Wellness. According to our experts, here are key symptoms to watch for:
Irregular or absent periods
Many women experience irregular periods, especially in the years right after puberty. However, irregular cycles can be a sign of conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid dysfunction, or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). “A normal cycle is considered between 21 and 35 days, and anything outside of that range is generally considered abnormal,” said Dr. Ali Chappell, PhD, MS, RD, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and founder and CEO of Lilli Health. “If your cycle is consistently longer than 90 days, it’s important to speak to your healthcare provider, as this can increase the risk of endometrial cancer.” Dr. Sands added that left untreated, these conditions may increase the risk of infertility, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders.
Extreme fatigue
If I said positive affirmations as much as I say I’m so tired on a daily basis, I would be a renewed person. But how do you know if it’s the demands of life and burnout or something more? “Chronic exhaustion beyond the usual busy-life tiredness can be a red flag for adrenal dysfunction, hypothyroidism, or insulin resistance—each of which can lead to serious long-term consequences like autoimmune disease, diabetes, or heart disease,” Dr. Sands said. Dr. Chappell further clarified that if you feel like you’re always tired but struggle to get a good night’s sleep, it could mean that you are insulin resistant. “When you are insulin resistant, the insulin you secrete doesn’t work appropriately, which means your body can have trouble accessing the glucose from the food you eat,” she said. “This often leaves your body and your brain without the energy they need to function at their best, making you feeling tired and your brain foggy. In addition, insulin resistance can affect melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Since poor sleep worsens insulin resistance, this vicious cycle can worsen metabolic health over time.”
Unexplained weight gain or loss
While there are many potential causes for sudden changes in your weight, Dr. Sands said it could be linked to thyroid dysfunction, cortisol imbalances, or metabolic disorders, which may affect heart health, metabolism, and longevity. But insulin resistance could also be to blame (having déjà vu?). “If you feel like you have tried everything to lose weight, but the scale won’t budge, it could be a sign of insulin resistance,” Dr. Chappell said. “Insulin is a hormone involved in regulating your blood sugar, but it is also the body’s ‘fat storage’ hormone. When levels of insulin get too high, the body prioritizes energy storage versus energy usage, which leads to fat gain over time. These high insulin levels make it almost impossible to lose weight with traditional diet and exercise.”
Severe mood swings, depression, or anxiety
Not to be confused with the woes that come and go like clockwork with “that time of the month,” Dr. Sands emphasized that severe mood swings, depression, or anxiety aren’t just mental health issues; they can stem from estrogen, progesterone, or thyroid imbalances. “While often dismissed as ‘just stress,’ these symptoms can come with long-term consequences for mental well-being,” said Dr. Amber Wheeler, a board-certified endocrinologist and advisor for hey freya. Untreated hormonal mood disorders increase the risk of long-term anxiety, depression, and even neurodegenerative diseases. For example, a 2022 study in Annual Review of Clinical Psychology showed that estrogen supports brain functioning that optimizes the stress response, emotional processing, and cognitive function. In other words, when estrogen levels drop, so does the body’s ability to regulate its response to stress and emotions, leading to depression. What’s more, the hormonal imbalances can give way to difficulty falling or staying asleep, further promoting the chance of lasting health conditions.
Chronic bloating or digestive issues
There’s the occasional uncomfortable digestive drama after an indulgent meal, while traveling, or before your period that makes your most forgiving pair of sweats you own a given. Then there’s the ongoing bloat, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation that’s not “normal” and can be the body’s way of communicating that something is off. “The gut is directly influenced by hormones, and persistent bloating or IBS-like symptoms could indicate estrogen dominance, cortisol dysregulation, or an undiagnosed thyroid disorder,” Dr. Sands said. Ignoring long-lasting digestive issues like IBD can cause hemorrhoids and mood disorders.
Sudden changes in skin
Persistent acne, unwanted hair growth, and scalp hair loss are more than surface-level annoyances we try to avoid at all costs in the name of beauty. Dr. Chappell suggested they’re all caused by elevated androgens or male-type hormones like testosterone. “These excess androgens are often the result of underlying metabolic issues, such as insulin resistance, which is associated with long-term metabolic health risks, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease,” she said. Dr. Sands also stated that hair loss on the scalp or excess hair growth on the face and body can be traced to androgen imbalances from PCOS, high cortisol, or thyroid issues, which if unaddressed, can contribute to permanent hair loss or metabolic dysfunction.
Why There Is a Disconnect Between Women’s Experiences of Hormonal Symptoms and Their Willingness to Seek Help
Dr. Sands said the disconnect boils down to a mix of societal conditioning, medical gaslighting, and misinformation:
- We’re taught to ‘deal with it.’ From puberty to menopause, women are conditioned to believe that symptoms like cramps, fatigue, and mood swings are just “part of being a woman” instead of signals of underlying dysfunction.
- Medical gaslighting is real. Too often, when women do seek help, they are dismissed with “It’s just stress,” “It’s normal for your age,” or “Try losing weight.” This erodes trust in the system and discourages future help-seeking.
- Lack of education. Many women don’t realize their symptoms could be due to hormonal dysfunction. If they don’t know what’s wrong, how can they advocate for themselves? The vast majority of doctors, including endocrine specialists and OB-GYNs, have very little training in female hormone issues around perimenopause and menopause.
- Fear of being put on birth control or antidepressants. Women often hesitate to seek help because they anticipate being prescribed a one-size-fits-all solution that doesn’t address the root cause of their issues.
- Time and energy barriers. Women are stretched thin juggling careers, families, and personal responsibilities. Prioritizing their own health, especially if they’re caregivers, often takes a backseat until symptoms become unbearable.
The Barriers Women Face, Whether or Not They Seek Medical Help
Even when women decide to take action and pursue care, both Dr. Sands and Dr. Wheeler indicated obstacles we’ll face:
- Dismissive doctors. Many healthcare professionals lack adequate training in women’s hormones beyond pregnancy and birth control. Instead of investigating root causes, they offer band-aid solutions or tell women their symptoms are “normal.” Plus, many women report feeling unheard by doctors who attribute their symptoms solely to stress, diet, or lifestyle.
- Limited access to specialists. Seeing an endocrinologist or functional medicine practitioner—who actually understands hormone health—often requires referrals, long wait times, or out-of-pocket expenses.
- Cost and insurance limitations. Many insurance plans don’t cover specialized hormone testing and treatments, making care financially inaccessible and leaving women to pay out-of-pocket for the care they need.
- Confusing, conflicting information. Women are bombarded with advice, whether from doctors, brands, or social media—some of it outdated; some of it outright wrong. The overwhelming amount of contradictory advice online makes it difficult for women to determine what steps to take.
- Gaps in research and testing. Standard lab testing ranges for hormone levels are broad, meaning a woman can experience disruptive symptoms but still be told her results are “normal.”
- Fear of judgment. Women who speak up about hormonal struggles, especially around libido, weight gain, or mental health, are often met with shame, stigma, or the suggestion that they’re “just getting older.”
What Can Be Done?
“Hormonal health is foundational to overall well-being, and it is long past time for it to be treated with the same level of urgency as cardiovascular or mental health,” Dr. Wheeler said. “Women deserve better tools, better information, and, above all, to be taken seriously when they say something feels off.” So, how can we take matters into our own hands to get the medical attention and answers we deserve? Dr. Sands stressed that change starts with education, advocacy, and access to better care. Start by understanding your own hormonal patterns to recognize any dysfunction (or anything that doesn’t feel right) using methods like cycle syncing, period tracking apps, mind-body attunement (like mindfulness, breathwork, or somatic exercise), or hormone testing (think: urine or blood tests); you’ll be better equipped to advocate for the care you need.
“We need to shift the narrative and normalize getting help,” Dr. Sands said. “Seeking care for hormonal health should be as routine as seeing a dentist.” Instead of waiting until things go wrong or symptoms become intolerable, schedule regular hormone check-ups with ideally an endocrinologist or functional medicine practitioner. “Whether it’s lifestyle changes, alternative therapies, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), women should feel supported—not judged—for taking control of their hormonal health,” Dr. Sands concluded.
Katherine Chang, Wellness Staff Writer
Katherine Chang is The Everygirl’s Wellness Staff Writer with over five years of experience in the health and wellness space. She navigates the latest wellness topics and trends through expert interviews and studies, and she’s always first in line to try them firsthand.
Feature graphic images credited to: Unsplash | Leandro Crespi, Unsplash | Leandro Crespi, Unsplash, Leandro Crespi