Struggling with Mood Swings, Weight Gain, & Low Libido? Here's What’s Really Causing It
Suzie Herrmann- May 1
- 8 min read
Ladies with menstrual cycles, have you ever thought:
“Why can’t I lose weight no matter what I do?”
“Why is my sex drive so low?”
“Are everyone’s period cramps this bad?!”
“Why do I seem to be depressed half the time?”
“Why do I feel crazy before my period?”
“Why do I still have adult acne that won’t go away?”
“Why do I wake up at 3am every night?”
You might have blamed stress, depression, or your genetics. Or, you may have dismissed it altogether and accepted these issues as “normal” or “part of getting older” or “its just what it is to be a woman.”
But what if these symptoms weren’t any of those things? What if they were actually signs of hormonal imbalances? And what if your menstrual cycle could reveal this discovery to you? The good news is, if it is hormonal imbalance, there are natural, effective and empowering things you can start doing today, to balance your hormones and begin feeling amazing. Let's get into it.
What Are Signs of Hormonal Imbalance?
Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone fluctuate throughout your cycle. When these hormones fall out of balance—due to stress, environmental factors, inflammation, a stagnant liver, poor sleep or nutrient deficiencies—they create a ripple effect across your whole body. The signs might show up as:
Mood swings that feel like emotional whiplash
Cravings, especially for sugar or carbs
Painful cramping during your period
Sleep issues (can’t fall asleep or waking at 3AM)
Irritability or anxiety that feels like it's “out of nowhere”
Skin issues, like adult cystic acne
Low libido (low sex drive)
Weight gain without eating more
“I can’t lose weight no matter what I do” syndrome
If you’re thinking, “that’s me,” you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. Many women experience hormonal imbalance due to environmental toxins and the stressful expectations of our modern world. But, there are natural solutions to achieve hormonal balance and to start feeling amazing. It all starts with tracking your cycle to identify if indeed these symptoms are cycle related.
Step One: Start Tracking Your Entire 28-Day Cycle
Our full 28 day menstrual cycles (not just the 3-5 days we are bleeding) provide amazing markers to our overall health. How we experience our menstrual cycles during all 4 phases (menstruation, follicular, ovulation & luteal) gives us clues and insights into many factors, including if we are hormonally imbalanced.
Before we dive further into this, it’s important to note that some of the same symptoms of hormonal imbalance can indeed be symptoms of Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome or other diseases that would require different kind of medical attention than hormonal imbalances. We always recommend consulting with your medical provider to see what is going on, as well as to begin tracking your menstrual cycle every day.
Track health markers like:
Mood
Period Pain
Skin
Weight Fluctuations
Energy
Sleep
Sex drive
Cravings
Bloating and digestion
After 1-2 months, you may start to see patterns that indicate hormonal imbalance.
Patterns to look out for during each phase:
Menstruation (Days 1-5):
This is the phase when you’re bleeding, or having your period. It's typically days 1-5 (give or take) of the 28 day menstrual cycle. Sign of hormonal imbalance during this phase include:
Painful periods that require pain management (ie. heating pads or ibuprofen).
Such overwhelming exhaustion that regular day to day activities are difficult to complete.
Heavy or irregular bleeding: If your periods are heavier than usual or inconsistent, it could be a sign of estrogen imbalance.
Mood swings or irritability.
Headaches or migraines.
A Healthy Expression: During menstruation, a healthy expression of this phase would include light and manageable cramping and with some mild fatigue.
Follicular (Days 6-10):
This is the phase during the 5 days (give or take) following your period.
Brain fog or difficulty concentrating.
Mood instability or anxiety.
Low Libido (low sex drive).
Cystic acne or acne flare ups.
Low energy or fatigue.
A Healthy Expression: During follicular, a healthy expression of this phase would include feeling a renewed energy, vitality and increased libido.
Ovulation (Days 11-13):
The 3 days following follicular are ovulation.
Low libido (low sex drive).
Painful cramping.
Low energy or fatigue.
Mood swings.
Bloating.
A Healthy Expression: During ovulation, a healthy expression of this phase would include an increased libido, energy, creativity and confidence.
Luteal: (Days 14-28):
The 2 weeks before you begin to bleed again.
Sleep issues: Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, sleep disturbances.
Extreme mood swings, depression, anxiety & irritability.
Strong food cravings & weight gain.
Cystic acne.
Breast tenderness & swelling.
A Healthy Expression: During luteal, a healthy expression of this phase would include slightly lower energy, mild down mood, mild increase in appetite.
If these issues aren’t consistent throughout the month, but rather more so show up during the corresponding menstrual phases, it could point to hormonal imbalance.
The Solution: Cycle Syncing + Herbal Support
Once you’ve tracked your cycle to identify that the root cause of your symptoms may be hormonal imbalance, you can begin to establish hormonal balance with cycle syncing, the practice of adjusting your nutrition, activity, sleep and herbal support to work with your body’s natural rhythm.
Below is the Cycle Sisters Apothecary protocol to address hormonal imbalance at the root to prevent and ease symptoms of hormonal imbalance, and begin living your best life.
Herbal Support for Hormonal Imbalance
From Cycle Sisters Apothecary
Our Full Cycle Tincture 4 Pack is a 1 month supply of 4 herbal tinctures, one for each menstrual phase, each formulated to support the unique needs of that phase while working together to prevent the symptoms of hormonal imbalance, and restore hormonal balance. By addressing hormonal imbalance, the 4 pack prevents and eases PMS, PMDD and painful periods.
Below we break down our cycle syncing protocol which includes the herbal tinctures of the Full Cycle Tincture 4 Pack.
All Phases (Days 1-28):
Herbal Support: Throughout the entire menstrual cycle, take the tinctures of the Full Cycle Tincture 4 Pack daily.
Limit & Avoid: To lead an optimal cycle syncing lifestyle, throughout all 4 phases, you will want to limit or avoid caffeine, alcohol, smoking & endocrine disruptors such as plastic, parabens, pesticides & fragrances.
Physical & Mental Health: During each phase you will also want to manage stress with practices such as mindfulness, meditation & gratitude. It's also important throughout all 4 phases to eat organic, grass-fed, whole foods and to get 7-10 hours of sleep a night. If you struggle with sleep, you’re not alone. To help you fall asleep quickly, stay asleep and wake up feeling rested, try our Lunar Lullaby Sleep Tincture.
Menstrual Phase (Days 1–5)
Herbal Support: During this phase you will be taking the Menstruation Phase tincture from your Full Cycle Tincture 4 Pack. You will take this daily once a month during this phase to prevent PMS & painful periods.
More Herbal Support: The Full Cycle Tincture 4 Pack addresses the root cause of painful periods, hormonal imbalance, and this process can take 6-8 weeks. After 8 weeks, you will notice that cramping is drastically reduced or gone altogether. In the meantime, to find quick relief from painful cramping, we recommend our SOS Period Tincture, a fast acting blend of herbs that brings quick relief from cramping, bloating and period related digestive issues.
Diet: Iron rich foods like spinach, lentils, red meat, anti-inflammatory foods like ginger & salmon, as well as magnesium rich foods like chocolates, almonds & avocado.
Activity & Rest: For movement try gentle yoga. Get as much sleep as you feel like you need, 8-10 hours a night during this phase.
Follicular Phase (Days 6–12)
Herbal Support: During this phase you will be taking the Follicular Phase tincture from your Full Cycle Tincture 4 Pack. You will take this daily once a month during this phase to prevent PMS & painful periods.
Diet: Raw carrots contain a fiber that binds to endotoxins and excess estrogen in the gut to help eliminate them from the body, which can be helpful to bring balance during this phase.
Activity & Rest: For movement try moderate cardio & pilates. Aim to get 8 hours of sleep.
Ovulatory Phase (Days 13–16)
Herbal Support: During this phase you will be taking the Ovulation Phase tincture from your Full Cycle Tincture 4 Pack. You will take this daily once a month during this phase to prevent PMS & painful periods.
Diet: Protein rich foods like fish, grass-fed beef and organic beans. Complex carbs like sweet potato and quinoa.
Activity & Rest: For movement try High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts. Aim to get 8 hours of sleep.
Luteal Phase (Days 17–28)
Herbal Support: During this phase you will be taking the Luteal Phase tincture from your Full Cycle Tincture 4 Pack. You will take this daily once a month during this phase to prevent PMS & painful periods.
More Herbal Support: Mood swings, anxiety, feeling down and being irritable are common during the luteal phase, which lasts for half the friggin month. The Full Cycle Tincture 4 Pack addresses the root cause of mood swings, hormonal imbalance, and this process can take 6-8 weeks. After 8 weeks, you will notice that moods wings are drastically reduced or gone altogether. In the meantime, to find quick relief from anxiety, irritability and mood swings, we recommend our Calm Cycle Tincture, a fast acting blend of herbs that brings quick relief from these tense emotional moments.
Diet: Drink green tea for serotonin support and eat magnesium rich foods to promote relaxation like dark leafy greens and dark chocolate.
Activity & Rest: Try a nature walk to support both physical and mental health. Aim to get 8-10 hours of sleep a night.
For more cycle syncing ideas and guidance, check out our cycle syncing pages.
You Don’t Have to Live Like This
You don’t have to accept PMS, bloating, cystic acne, or low libido as your “normal.” You don’t have to wonder, “Why do I feel crazy before my period?” or be confused about why you’re gaining weight despite eating clean.
It’s not in your head.
It’s not your fault.
And it’s not permanent.
It’s your cycle, trying to communicate with you.
Take One Small Step Today:
Start tracking your entire cycle—today. Use a journal, app, or calendar to notice how you feel across the month.
Support your body with herbs that align with your hormones. Cycle Sisters Apothecary is here to guide you with natural, effective formulas that sync with your cycle and restore your balance.
Lead a cycle syncing lifestyle. For more cycle syncing guidance, refer to our cycle syncing pages.
Your body is wise. Your cycle is a map. And balance is possible—with the right support.
Explore all Cycle Sisters Apothecary products → https://www.cyclesistersapothecary.com/category/all-products
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (n.d.). Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). Retrieved from ACOG
National Library of Medicine. (2016). Hormonal Imbalance Symptoms. Retrieved from PubMed Central
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. (2008). Impact of Hormones on Mood and Weight. Retrieved from Oxford Academic
Journal of Women’s Health. (2017). The Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign. Retrieved from Liebert Pub
Harvard Health Publishing. (2022). Cycle Tracking for Hormone Health. Retrieved from Harvard Health
National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2014). Herbal remedies in menstrual pain management. Retrieved from NIH
Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. (1994). Estrogen metabolism and liver function. Retrieved from ScienceDirect
Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. (2019). Hormonal Acne and Its Link to the Menstrual Cycle. Retrieved from NCBI
Phytomedicine. (2003). Vitex agnus-castus in PMS and PMDD. Retrieved from PubMed
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