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Mireia Puig

5 Women’s Health Myths Keeping You from Feeling Your Best

Updated: Dec 17, 2024


Group of women standing together, embracing and smiling, representing support and empowerment for women’s health.

As women, we’ve often been told that certain symptoms and experiences are just part of being a woman. Painful periods, mood swings, and fatigue are often brushed aside as “normal.” But what if the truth is different? Many of these health myths are holding you back from understanding your body’s true needs.


In this blog, we’ll uncover five common myths about women’s health, explain what they may really be telling you, and offer solutions to help you feel more balanced and energized. If you’ve been struggling with symptoms like period pain, PMS, or hormonal imbalances, it’s time to set the record straight.


Myth #1: “PMS Is Normal, And You Just Have to Live With It”


The Truth

PMS symptoms—like mood swings, bloating, cravings, and irritability—are often brushed off as something every woman experiences. But while PMS is common, it’s not normal.

PMS is a sign of hormonal imbalances such as low progesterone or estrogen dominance, and it may also indicate inflammation or nutrient deficiencies (like magnesium or B6). When left unaddressed, these imbalances can affect your overall well-being.


How to Improve

  • Support Your Hormones: Eat an anti-inflammatory diet with foods like leafy greens, fatty fish, and turmeric.

  • Balance Blood Sugar: Incorporate protein, fiber, and healthy fats into every meal to regulate blood sugar levels.

  • Stress Management: Practice yoga, mindfulness, deep breathing or any activity that you enjoy doing to keep stress levels in check, which can otherwise worsen hormonal imbalances.


Woman holding a menstrual cycle calendar with a worried expression, reflecting concerns or uncertainty about her cycle.

Myth #2: “Heavy Periods and Pain Are Just Part of Being a Woman”


The Truth

Painful periods (dysmenorrhea) and heavy bleeding aren’t “just part of being a woman.” These symptoms may indicate more serious conditions, such as endometriosis, fibroids, or inflammation caused by imbalances in estrogen and prostaglandins (hormones responsible for cramping).

Additionally, hormonal imbalances, especially estrogen dominance, or thyroid issues may contribute to heavy menstrual bleeding.


How to Improve

  • Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Reduce sugar, alcohol, and processed foods, while including more anti-inflammatory options like fatty fish, berries, and leafy greens.

  • Manage Stress: Reduce stress with yoga, meditation or other relaxation techniques to prevent excess prostaglandin activity and cramping.

  • Seek Professional Guidance: If your period pain is severe, it's important to work with a practitioner to uncover the root cause.


Myth #3: “Your Diet Doesn’t Really Affect Your Hormones”


The Truth

Your diet plays a huge role in balancing your hormones. What you eat directly impacts your hormonal health, especially by regulating insulin levels and reducing inflammation. A diet high in processed foods, refined sugars, and caffeine can lead to insulin resistance, adrenal imbalances, and blood sugar fluctuations, all of which can disrupt hormone levels.


How to Improve

  • Focus on Whole Foods: Choose unprocessed foods like vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

  • Reduce Sugar and Caffeine: These can cause blood sugar spikes and disrupt your hormone balance.

  • Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to support your body’s detoxification and hormonal processes.


Fresh produce and healthy meals displayed on a table, illustrating the connection between diet and hormonal balance.

Myth #4: “The pill helps regulate your cycle and makes your periods regular”


The Truth

The bleeding you experience while on the pill isn’t a true period—it’s called withdrawal bleeding, caused by the drop in synthetic hormones during the placebo week. The pill suppresses ovulation and overrides your natural cycle, so it doesn’t regulate it; it replaces it. While the pill can help manage symptoms like irregular bleeding or cramps, it doesn’t address the root causes of hormonal imbalances.


How to Improve

  • Focus on balancing your hormones naturally with a nutrient-dense diet rich in healthy fats, fiber, and protein.

  • Reduce inflammatory foods like processed sugars, trans fats, and excessive caffeine.

  • Prioritize sleep and establish a consistent sleep-wake cycle to support hormonal regulation.

  • Consider tracking your cycle with a period tracker to identify patterns and symptoms.

  • Work with a holistic practitioner to identify and address root causes, such as nutrient deficiencies or underlying conditions like PCOS or thyroid imbalances.


Blood test tubes and lab results on a table, highlighting the limitations of lab tests in detecting hormone imbalances and women’s health issues.

Myth #5: “If Your Lab Results Are Normal, You’re Fine”


The Truth

Many women are told their lab results are “normal,” but still feel out of balance. Conventional lab tests often miss subtle imbalances that can have a significant impact on your health. Standard testing focuses on diagnosing disease, but not necessarily on optimizing overall health or uncovering hormonal imbalances.


What It Might Indicate

If you’re still experiencing symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, or irregular cycles despite normal lab results, your hormones may still be out of balance. The range of “normal” is vast, and symptoms can be a sign that your hormones are suboptimal—even if they don’t yet show up on standard tests.


How to Improve

  • Advocate for Comprehensive Testing: Request a full thyroid panel, hormone levels, and nutrient deficiencies, and work with a practitioner who understands functional medicine.

  • Prioritize Holistic Health: Focus on diet, lifestyle changes, and supplements that promote hormonal balance and improve symptoms even if labs don’t show major issues.


The Hormone Reset Detox: A Natural Solution for Balanced Hormones


If any of these myths sound familiar, it’s time to take action. The Hormone Reset Detox is designed to help you:


  • Detoxify naturally and reduce inflammation.

  • Balance hormones by resetting your body’s internal rhythms.

  • Feel energized, clear-headed, and in control of your health.


Ready to take control of your health and break free from the myths? Learn more about how the Hormone Reset Detox can help you reset, rejuvenate, and reclaim your balance today!

    


Sample meal plan for a hormone reset detox featuring balanced, nutrient-rich meals designed to support hormonal health.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


What are common signs of hormonal imbalance in women?

Signs of hormonal imbalance may include, but are not limited to: irregular periods, mood swings, weight gain, tender breast, heavy bleeding, painful periods, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and acne. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it may be time to explore hormone testing and nutritional support.


Can diet help balance hormones naturally?

Absolutely! A diet rich in whole foods, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory ingredients can support hormone balance. Reducing sugar, caffeine, and processed foods is key to supporting your body’s natural rhythms.


What is the Hormone Reset Detox?

The Hormone Reset Detox is a holistic program designed to support your body in detoxifying naturally, balancing hormones, and reducing inflammation. It offers practical steps to reset your hormones and feel better


By addressing these myths and taking proactive steps to balance your hormones, you can start to feel more in tune with your body and live a vibrant, energized life. The Hormone Reset Detox can be a powerful tool in helping you achieve lasting hormonal balance.



 

Disclaimer:


The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or health practices, especially if you have a medical condition or are on any medications. Period pain can be a symptom of underlying health issues, so please seek guidance from a healthcare professional if your symptoms persist or worsen.


 

SOURCES:

  1. Briden, Lara. Period Repair Manual: Natural Treatment for Better Hormones and Better Periods. 2nd ed., Sweet Peach Publishing, 2017.

  2. Rapkin, Andrea J., and Taylor, David L. "PMS and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Evidence-Based Diagnostics and Treatment." Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, vol. 8, no. 11, 2008, pp. 1743–1759.

  3. Borenstein, Jeffrey E., et al. "Prevalence and Health Impact of Dysmenorrhea." Obstetrics & Gynecology, vol. 102, no. 5, 2003, pp. 1279–1288.

  4. Li, Rongrong, et al. "Impact of Lifestyle and Dietary Factors on Premenstrual Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study." BMC Women's Health, vol. 16, no. 1, 2016, p. 70.

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