What Female Hormones Do
Estrogen and progesterone play key roles in the menstrual cycle, reproductive health, bone health, and cardiovascular health. Food, stress, and sleep all affect them.
Nutrition Across the Cycle
| Phase | Days | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Menstruation | 1–5 | iron (spinach, lean meat, legumes) |
| Follicular | 6–14 | estrogen rises · lighter meals |
| Ovulation | 14–16 | energy peaks · higher intensity |
| Luteal | 17–28 | progesterone rises · more appetite |
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For PMS, magnesium (nuts, bananas) and vitamin B6 (chicken, fish) help.
Foods for Hormone Balance
- •Phytoestrogens: tofu, soybean paste, flaxseed
- •Cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, cabbage (support estrogen metabolism)
- •Omega-3: salmon, mackerel, walnuts (reduce inflammation)
- •Fiber: helps clear excess estrogen
- •Probiotics: gut health influences hormone metabolism
What to Avoid
- •Processed foods: additives disrupt hormones
- •Excess caffeine: raises cortisol and unbalances hormones
- •Too much sugar: insulin spikes affect hormones
- •Endocrine disruptors: watch plastic containers and canned foods
- •Extreme dieting: reduces estrogen production
Menopause Care
As estrogen drops sharply around menopause, hot flashes, sleep problems, bone loss, and cardiovascular risk all increase.
- •Calcium + vitamin D: essential against osteoporosis
- •Phytoestrogens: soy and flaxseed ease symptoms
- •Strength training: maintains bone and metabolic health
- •Cardiovascular care: watch cholesterol and blood pressure
- •Hydration: prevents dry skin
Nutrition During Pregnancy
- •Folate: essential before and in early pregnancy (spinach, legumes, supplements)
- •Iron: for increased blood volume
- •DHA: fetal brain development (oily fish, supplements)
- •Calcium: fetal bone formation and maternal bone density
- •Avoid: raw fish, excess caffeine, alcohol
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If you're pregnant or have a hormone-related condition, always consult a specialist before taking supplements.
“A woman's body changes across a lifetime. Care matched to each stage is the secret to living well.”