Namsha Alhajri is a consultant at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: In challenging times for our region, it is natural to feel the weight and uncertainty of the constant news cycle.
Living in a prolonged state of high alert can lead to chronic stress, which affects overall well-being. For women, this stress can have a particularly profound impact on the body’s delicate hormonal balance.
Irregular cycles, fatigue, mood fluctuations and increased physical pain such as hormonal headaches or more severe menstrual cramps can often signal that the body is under strain.
Prioritizing health during these periods is not a luxury, it is an essential act of resilience.
Here are six ways women can protect their hormonal health.
Treat sleep as the foundation of your long-term health
Stress disrupts cortisol, which in turn disrupts sleep.
Practice mindful movement to soothe your system
While intense exercise can add more physical stress, mindful movement helps lower cortisol and boost mood-stabilizing endorphins.
Nourish your body to build resilience from within
Stress often leads to cravings for foods that disrupt blood sugar and insulin, further affecting hormonal balance.
Understand that control over your cycle is access to opportunity
In times of uncertainty, having a sense of control is vital.
Actively manage your stress response to reduce physical impact
While you cannot always control external events, you can manage your body’s reaction to them.
Advocate for your health, know when to seek guidance, do not suffer in silence
Women’s pain, discomfort and needs are too often minimized and dismissed. Suffering in silence with conditions that are largely invisible has been normalized for women.
