For many women, periods are something to “just get through.” The cramps, bloating, mood swings, and fatigue are brushed off as normal, even when they’re so disruptive that you can’t leave your bed, focus at work, or feel like yourself in your relationships.

Here’s the truth: painful, heavy, or irregular periods are not “just part of being a woman.” They’re signs that your body is out of balance, and your hormones need support.

Your Period as a Vital Sign

Did you know your menstrual cycle is considered a fifth vital sign, just like heart rate or blood pressure? It gives us important clues about your overall health.

• Irregular periods may signal thyroid issues, PCOS, or blood sugar imbalances.
• Painful, heavy periods can be linked to high estrogen levels, nutrient deficiencies, or endometriosis.
• PMS mood swings and cravings may reflect low progesterone levels, the impact of stress, or imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin.

When your hormones are balanced, your cycle should be:

• ✓ Predictable (around the same length each month)
• ✓ Manageable (mild cramps, light fatigue at most)
• ✓ Symptom-free (without the rollercoaster of PMS)

If that doesn’t sound like your experience, your period is telling you something—and the good news is, we can do something about it.

The Root Causes Behind “Bad Periods”

Most women I see in practice have already been told their labs are “normal.” But what’s considered normal isn’t always optimal.

Some common underlying contributors I look for include:

• Estrogen dominance → too much estrogen relative to progesterone, causing heavy bleeding, cramps, and mood swings.
• Low progesterone → leading to anxiety, insomnia, and spotting.
• Thyroid dysfunction → irregular or absent cycles, fatigue, weight changes.
• Stress → worsens PMS, cravings, and energy crashes.

By identifying and addressing these imbalances, it’s possible to move from “barely surviving your cycle” to having periods that are predictable, lighter, and virtually symptom-free.