editor's note
Is it just us or have our algorithms been feeling like the 30-something’s sequel to The Care and Keeping of You? The “hormone balancing” trend bubbled up on our socials a few years ago…and it’s been bubbling ever since.
Hormone balancing is the idea that — if you’re dealing with fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, etc. — you can realign your body’s hormone production. On TikTok, this tends to include remedies like supplements from Amazon, chlorophyll water, and very specific workout routines.
There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and a lot of people that want you to click on the link in bio. So let’s go back to the basics.
Hormones are the body’s messengers. They direct key functions like appetite, sleep, and mood. Left alone, they typically do their thing. Micromanaging them can leave you more fatigued, anxious, and out of sync — plus, out of time and money.
Here are things that you may be wrestling with, the 101 on the key hormones involved, and trusted resources to help you go deeper…
🍽️ Appetite. Hunger and fullness are managed by a complex hormonal feedback loop. Ghrelin (the "hunger hormone," not a Lord of the Rings character) says when it’s time to eat. Leptin (the "fullness hormone") tells your brain when you’ve had enough. GLP-1 agonists (like Ozempic, Wegovy) mimic hormones that slow digestion and curb appetite and slow food’s movement through the stomach. Read more: Do Natural Supplements Work as Well as Ozempic?
🛏️ Sleep. Melatonin hogs the spotlight, but cortisol, estrogen, and progesterone are key supporting actresses. High cortisol (often from stress or irregular sleep) can make it harder to fall and stay asleep. Changes in estrogen and progesterone levels — common in perimenopause (more on her later) — may cause night sweats and poor rest.Read more: Do Women Need More Sleep Than Men?
🧠 Mental health. Cortisol (we meet again) and serotonin (a mood regulator) are closely linked. Chronic stress can contribute to anxiety, depression, and brain fog. Estrogen also plays a key role in mood regulation, which is why fluctuations during PMS, postpartum, and menopause can affect your mental health.Read more: Here’s Everything You Want to Know About Serotonin
💇 Hair health. Thyroid hormones, estrogen, and androgens (e.g. testosterone and DHEA) affect hair growth and loss. A shift in such levels — like during postpartum, menopause, or thyroid dysfunction — may lead to thinning and shedding. Read more: Why You’re Losing Hair and the Science to Help Regrow It
The bottom line? If you know something is off with your body, never ignore that instinct. But, before you hit the influencer shops, talk to your doctor. Ask for a blood test to check for red flags. Afraid you won’t be taken seriously? Here’s your script.
– Typing With “The More You Know” Theme in Our Heads, the Skimm Well Team
P.S. Feeling out of sync at work too? Career burnout is real — but taking a break doesn’t have to mean falling behind. Neha Ruch and Kimberly Brown will break it all down at tonight's Skimm+ event. RSVP here.
Well, Well, Well...
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Everything's Fine
More than 300 people across Texas and New Mexico have contracted measles. Many of them are unvaccinated kids. One child has died. You may have seen the old-school remedy, cod liver, in the headlines, with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. touting it as a potential treatment for the disease.
So, where is this claim coming from? Cod liver oil is packed with vitamin A, vitamin D, and omega-3. Studies from the 1980s and 1990s in sub-Saharan Africa found that vitamin A was somewhat effective when treating children with measles who were likely vitamin A deficient. It’s not clear whether that’s helpful if the patient isn’t deficient. Also, taking too much vitamin A can lead to liver damage.
To be clear: Cod liver oil won’t protect you from dangerous illnesses like measles. Vaccines will.
We Have To Talk About…
Perimenopause
If you’re somewhere in your thirties or forties, you’re probably seeing the word “perimenopause” all over your group chats and social feeds.
Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause. Symptoms include: changes in the length of your menstrual cycle, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, increased anxiety and brain fog, fatigue, and more. There’s no black-and-white test to tell whether you’re “in” perimenopause — and a lot of these symptoms could be related to other things going on with your health.
Meanwhile, menopause makes it easy. It’s one day long: the 12-month mark from your last period. Here’s a 30-minute deep dive that gives the rundown on why menopause has been misunderstood over the years, and the latest on the therapies available to help with symptoms.
If you’re reading these symptoms and thinking “sounds familiar,” here’s what to do next:
📝 Start tracking what symptoms you’re experiencing, when, and how severe they are. Bring your tracker into a conversation with your doctor.
📆 Make an appointment with your primary care doctor or OB-GYN (whoever you think is more educated on menopause). They may have been the right fit in your 20s, but you need to know ASAP whether they’re right for this next phase of your health.
🗣️ “Ask things like: ‘Do you treat menopause patients? Do you prescribe hormone replacement?’ to get a sense of their comfort level, and don’t be afraid to find a better fit, if needed," says Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, a renowned OB-GYN in Beverly Hills who recently met with our Skimm+ community.
As for relief right now? That “perimenopause gummy” flooding your feed may not be the magic fix. There are therapies out there — but what’s right for you depends on your health history.
Get this script on Skimm+
Have burning questions about perimenopause? We have the answers here. Hot tip: your Skimm+ membership also gives you access to things like a hormonal health tracker and events with women's health experts. Don't sweat — we've got your back.
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