Hello and welcome to this week's blog article! I’m so glad you’re here because we’re diving into a topic that’s deeply personal yet incredibly universal—how childhood trauma can shape your hormones and impact your health. If you’ve ever felt “off” or struggled with stubborn weight, mood swings, or unexplained fatigue, you might find some eye-opening answers today. So, grab a cozy matcha latte, settle in, and let’s unpack this together.
My Experience: Breaking Free From the Struggle
Like millions of women, I’ve lived with what we call “small T” trauma—the kind of experiences that might not seem dramatic on the surface but leave an undeniable mark. My childhood was a mix of beautiful memories and moments of stress that quietly shaped my life. For years, I felt like I was at war with my body. I tried every diet, worked out endlessly, and still found myself stuck in cycles of anorexia, bulimia, and body dysmorphia.
Dr. Gabor Maté, a renowned expert on trauma, explains that our early experiences shape not only our emotional patterns but also our physiology. Trauma isn't just what happens to us—it's how our body holds on to those events. When I learned this, I began to see my struggles with weight and body image as symptoms of something deeper: an unresolved story my body had been carrying since childhood.
When I learned this, I began to see my struggles with weight and body image as symptoms of something deeper: an unresolved story my body had been carrying since childhood.
The real wake-up call came at 40 when I realized that the struggle wasn’t just about losing weight—it was about understanding the deeper story my body was trying to tell me. That story was rooted in how my childhood experiences had impacted my hormones and overall health.
If this sounds familiar, I want you to know you’re not alone. There’s a powerful connection between childhood trauma and your body’s hormonal balance. And the best part? You can absolutely rewrite this story.
The Science: How Trauma and Hormones Are Linked
Let’s dig into the fascinating science behind this connection. When you experience childhood trauma, your body’s stress response system—powered by a hormone called cortisol—can go into overdrive. Cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” is managed by your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. It’s meant to help you handle emergencies, but when the system is constantly triggered by stress, it can start to malfunction.
Dr. Bruce Perry, an expert in neurodevelopment and trauma, emphasizes that chronic activation of the stress response system disrupts brain development and overall health. This is why unaddressed trauma often manifests in adulthood as mental health challenges, metabolic issues, and even autoimmune disorders.
Over time, cortisol dysregulation doesn’t just cause stress; it creates ripple effects throughout your body:
Mental Health Challenges: Elevated cortisol levels can rewire your brain, making you more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and even PTSD. It’s not “all in your head”—it’s your brain trying to adapt to constant stress.
Metabolism Mayhem: Chronic cortisol can promote fat storage (especially around your belly), insulin resistance, and metabolic disorders. This is why diets often fail—it’s not just about calories; it’s about chemistry.
Reproductive Health Disruptions: Cortisol can also wreak havoc on your menstrual cycle, fertility, and even pregnancy outcomes. When your body is in survival mode, reproductive health often takes a backseat.
Thich Nhat Hanh, a spiritual teacher whom I have never met but consider one of my greatest masters, reminds us that the body holds everything we experience. Without addressing the roots of our stress, we remain trapped in cycles of dysregulation that no diet or exercise routine alone can fix. What I am saying here was considered very ‘esoteric’ just a few years ago. However, quantum physics has now demonstrated the science behind it. And don’t worry—I will dedicate future articles to this so you can also access this wonderful information, which has the power to change your entire life.
Breaking the Cycle: Your Hormones, Your Power
Here’s the good news: YOU CAN HEAL. Your hormones are dynamic and adaptable (so are your cells), and with the right support, your body can find balance again. Here’s how to start:
Understand Your Triggers: journaling is a powerful tool. Ask yourself: When do I feel most overwhelmed? What situations make me feel unsafe or anxious? Bringing awareness to these patterns can help you take the first step toward healing. Dr. Gabor Maté calls this "compassionate inquiry"—learning to observe your triggers with curiosity rather than judgment.
Support Your Hormones with Food: food can be medicine. Incorporate hormone-loving foods like omega-3-rich salmon, gut-healing probiotics like sauerkraut or kimchi, and liver-supporting greens like arugula. Foods like flaxseeds and walnuts, rich in phytoestrogens, can also help balance estrogen levels naturally.
Move in Harmony with Your Body: exercise is essential for lowering cortisol, but it’s important to choose activities that feel good to you. Spiritual teacher Louise Hay encouraged gentle, loving movement like yoga or walking, which supports your body without adding additional stress.
Find Emotional Safety: healing isn’t just physical—it’s emotional too. Seek out a therapist with a holistic approach or explore mindfulness practices like meditation, breathwork, or body scans. Trauma expert Peter Levine’s "somatic experiencing" method can help release the tension stored in your body from past experiences.
Healing Generations: The Bigger Picture
One of the most mind-blowing aspects of trauma and hormones is how the
effects can ripple through generations. Studies show that cortisol dysregulation caused by trauma doesn’t just affect you—it can influence your children and even your grandchildren. This is because trauma can alter how your genes are expressed, a phenomenon known as epigenetics.
But here’s the beauty of healing: When you prioritize your hormonal health, you’re not just changing your life—you’re creating a legacy of wellness for the women who come after you. As Dr. Nicole LePera writes, "Breaking generational cycles isn’t just about what we stop doing—it’s about what we start doing differently."
Let’s Take the First Step Together
If my story resonates with you, I want you to know that healing is possible. Your past doesn’t have to define your future. By understanding the connection between childhood trauma and hormones, you can take the first step toward freedom—freedom from the struggle, the frustration, and the cycles that hold you back.
Take a moment today to tune into your body. Listen to what it’s telling you. If you’re ready to dive deeper, remember I have free resources on my website to help you start your healing journey. You don’t have to walk this path alone—I’m here, cheering you on every step of the way.
And if you feel like you are ready for your big transformation, my up coming Coaching Program “Women Rising: The SoulSync Journey”—A Transformational Experience for Hormonal Synchrony, Self-Discovery, and Personal Growth is starting January 6, 2025. My newsletter subscribers are going to get the information first, along with a discount for early joining,so don't forget to subscribe!
Here’s to your healing and thriving—because you deserve nothing less. Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and let’s keep this conversation going. Together, we’ve got this!
Sources:
Gestational and Postnatal Cortisol Profiles of Women with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the Dissociative Subtype. Seng, Julia S. et al. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, Volume 47, Issue 1, 12 – 22
What is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis? https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-hpa-axis
Dr. Gabor Mate, "The Body Keeps the Score"
Dr. Bruce Perry, "The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog"
Thich Nhat Hanh, "The Miracle of Mindfulness" and "You Are Here"- Dr. Nicole LePera (The Holistic Psychologist), "How to Do the Work"- Dr. Peter Levine, "Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma"
Epigenetic Study: Huliyar, Bhavana (2021) "Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance: What if Trauma and Stress Could Be Genetically Inherited?," The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine: Vol. 27: Iss. 1, Article 9. Available at: https://digitalcommons.denison.edu/synapse/vol27/iss1/9
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