When Your Gut, Hormones, and Stress Gang Up on You

What Every Woman Deserves to Know (Without Needing a Medical Degree)
By Kelly van den Ham

Ever feel bloated, cranky, wired-but-exhausted, and kind of like your body forgot how to body? Same.

You didn’t ask for the role, but here you are—head mediator in the hormonal–gut–stress peace talks.

And while I hate to say “it’s stress,” well... it’s stress. But not in the “just relax more” kind of way. In the “your body is having a very normal, very intense reaction to too many demands and not enough safety” kind of way.

Let’s break down what’s actually going on behind the scenes—and what you can actually do about it.

First: Stress Isn’t Just a Vibe—It’s a Full-Body Takeover

When life gets stressful (hi deadlines, family drama, emotional plot twists), your body flips into survival mode. That means:

• Digestion slows waaaay down

• Hormones get tossed off balance

• Blood sugar goes on a rollercoaster

• You start feeling like a hummingbird trapped in a filing cabinet

If you’ve ever missed a period, craved sugar like your life depended on it, or felt wired but deeply tired… that’s not random. That’s your system trying to keep you alive. It’s just a little overprotective.

Then Comes the Gut Drama

When your nervous system goes into fight-or-flight, digestion gets demoted. (Because obviously your body thinks answering emails is a tiger attack.)

Here’s what that stress-gut chaos can look like:

• Bloating and gas

• Constipation or “can’t leave the house” urgency

• Sudden food sensitivities

• Cravings that make no sense

• Feeling full after three bites or never full at all

And the twist? A sluggish gut doesn’t just affect digestion—it messes with your hormones, too.

Hormones + Gut = Co-Workers in Chaos

Here’s the messy group chat between your hormones and digestion:

• Cortisol (stress hormone) throws off ovulation, thyroid health, and can back up your bowels.

• Estrogen gets processed by your liver and cleared through your gut. If things are slow? It hangs around—and not in a fun way.

• Progesterone, the calm and cozy hormone, plummets when cortisol spikes—cue anxiety and sleep gone rogue.

Basically, your gut and hormones are texting each other constantly. And when stress gets involved, the whole thread starts spinning.

5 Gently Powerful Ways to Rebalance

This isn’t about overhauling your life. These are small rituals with big ripple effects.

1. Make Mealtime Sacred (Even for 30 Seconds)

Before you eat, pause. Breathe. Even just three slow inhales tells your body: “We’re safe now. Let’s digest.”

2. Balance Blood Sugar Like a Boss

Every meal, aim for protein + healthy fat + fiber. It doesn’t need to be fancy. Think: avocado toast with a boiled egg, or apple slices with almond butter.

3. Love Up Your Gut

A little fermented food (yogurt, sauerkraut), some bitter greens, a warm mug of ginger or chamomile tea. They go a long way in building a more resilient digestive system.

4. Sleep Isn’t Lazy. It’s Hormonal Repair.

Shoot for 7–9 hours. Not as punishment—because that’s when your body does its deepest healing. Your hormones will thank you.

5. Cycle Sync Like the Wise Witch You Are

Your body’s needs shift throughout your cycle. During your luteal or menstrual phase, think: slow, cozy, warm. Gentle foods. Fewer demands. More blankets and Netflix.

Final Words (From One Sensitive System to Another)

You’re not “too sensitive.” You’re exquisitely attuned.

And your body? She’s not acting up to punish you—she’s waving a red flag that says: “Hey love, we need some care down here.”

If you’re navigating mood swings, gut chaos, hormone confusion, or just feel off-center—I got you. This work is what I do. And I’d love to support you.

Ready to feel like yourself again—only more supported?
👉 Book a free 15 minute discovery call/video and let’s find your rhythm again. Gently. Sustainably. In a way that actually fits your life.