A Journey Through Hormone Health: From Birth Control to Balance

I recently received my certificate and graduated from the IIN Hormone Health Course — a program I’ve been eager to take for years. As my own hormone health journey continues to evolve - and quite frankly confuse and surprise me - at this stage in my life, this milestone feels especially meaningful.

What’s become increasingly clear to me is that hormone health goes far beyond menstruation, fertility, or menopause. It’s actually a key indicator of so many vital bodily functions. Our thyroid health, gut function, nutrition, sleep, mental health, and cognitive performance are all deeply connected to our hormones — each influencing the other in ways we’re only beginning to fully understand.

Now, as both a certified health coach and hormone health coach, I feel even more empowered to support not only my own wellness journey, but hopefully yours as well. Here’s to continued learning, healing, and thriving — together.

From cycle syncing and the thyroid-menstrual health connection to fertility superfoods, blood sugar balance, sex hormones, and insulin resistance—there’s so much to explore when it comes to our hormone health.
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Taking the IIN Hormone Health Course has been both empowering and eye-opening. It’s been a meaningful way to deepen my understanding of how interconnected our hormonal cycles are with diet, cognition, energy, and overall well-being. It’s also allowed me to reflect on my personal journey—one that I know many women can relate to.

Like so many women in the U.S., my hormonal health story began with synthetic estrogen birth control. At 17, I was prescribed Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo—a combination of synthetic estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin—in an effort to “regulate” my period. I hadn’t developed a regular cycle in the years following my first menstruation, and this seemed like the logical next step. No questions asked.

I stayed on the pill for several years, experiencing regular monthly periods. But by the time I was 24 or 25, I wanted to see if my body could function without it. I didn’t consult a doctor or make a plan—I simply stopped taking it. What followed was two years without a period, along with bloating and anxiety. When I eventually returned to my doctor, I was told I had high testosterone and was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). The recommendation? More birth control.

This time, the side effects hit me hard: heightened anxiety, no period, excess body hair, and feeling uncomfortable in my own skin. Looking back, my lifestyle at the time wasn’t helping—I was over-exercising, restricting carbs, and running on little fuel during the day, then snacking after late nights out drinking with friends. It was an unhealthy cycle, and eventually, in October 2017, I stopped the pill for good. Of course I could have made other adjustments, but I wasn't fully ready to give up everything just yet. 

To my complete surprise, I got my period naturally just one week later—for the first time in years. Since then, I haven’t been on hormonal birth control, and over time, my cycle has regulated itself. I can't say it was a single thing—cycle syncing, better nutrition, or lifestyle shifts—but becoming more in tune with my body and making more thoughtful, consistent choices has made all the difference.

Over the years, I’ve trained for and run three marathons, navigated personal and professional stress, healed from emotional trauma, and even frozen my eggs. Along the way, I’ve watched friends and family members—my sister, sister-in-law, cousins—embark on their own fertility journeys, whether naturally, through IVF, or with the help of surrogacy. Reflecting on it now, I realize I likely witnessed my mom and aunts go through menopause without even knowing it at the time.

One thing I would strongly encourage as you move through your own hormonal health journey is to learn about your family's health history—if you have access to it. When did your mother get her first period? When did she begin perimenopause? How about menopause—what was that transition like for her? What were her experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery? The more we can learn about the women who came before us, the better we can prepare, anticipate, and advocate for ourselves. This knowledge also equips you with valuable information to share with your doctor or care provider as you navigate your own path through the different stages of hormone health.

This course has helped me deepen my understanding of hormone health and given me tools to support not just my own journey, but hopefully others as well. Whether you're navigating hyperthyroidism, PCOS, fertility struggles, PMS, or simply looking to feel more balanced—I want to continue learning so that I can help. 

In future blog posts, I’ll be sharing recipes, natural remedies, and nutrition tips to support your cycle, enhance your movement, and align with your body’s natural rhythms. I’ll also highlight practices and products— (hello, acupuncture!) —that help us stay connected, grounded, and more mindful of our whole system.
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I hope what I’ve learned, and continue to learn, can serve as a resource to support you on your own unique path.