The Silent Hormone Killer: Stress
An Invitation to a Low-Stress Summer
Dear RoseFem reader,
It’s been a little while since I last sent out a RoseFem newsletter. May was a month filled with the joy of family as my sister and brother-in-law welcomed a new baby. In my mission to support women at every stage of their reproductive lives, I was deeply grateful to be present for this sacred season of childbirth and postpartum.
Honoring the Rhythms of the Female Body
There’s truth in the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But even more, it takes the wonder of the female body to create that child—to grow, expand, nourish, and ultimately heal.
And yet, our culture encourages suppression—hormonal contraception, hustle, and “bouncing back” as quickly as possible. We’re told not to let birth be a burden or to slow us down.
But what if, instead of suppressing, you embraced your body’s natural rhythms?
Each cycle invites you into an ebb and flow—of energy, appetite, and emotion. Pregnancy demands even more, including the creation of a whole new organ (the placenta). After birth, a woman nourishes her baby with her body while trying to recover from the intensity of delivery. These seasons deserve space and respect.
The Hidden Cost of Constant Stress
In our fast-paced, hyper-connected world, the physical and emotional load on women often goes unseen—or unacknowledged. But the female body can only thrive when it feels safe and supported.
Even if you’re not currently pregnant or postpartum, consider this:
Are you giving your body what it needs in this season?
What kind of stress load are you carrying—and could it be showing up as hormonal symptoms?
A 2025 publication titled “The Silent Pandemic of Stress” draws attention to rising stress levels and their effects on women’s cycles:
“We are currently witnessing a silent pandemic of stress that is disproportionately impacting younger generations, especially young women. As stress levels escalate globally, the prevalence of functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) among young women is anticipated to rise.”
Perfectionism, overwork, disordered eating, excessive exercise, and social media—all of these stressors compound and can disrupt your ovulation, shorten luteal phases, or stop your cycle altogether.
A Summer Invitation: Reset Your Rhythm
The long days of summer bring more sunlight—but also more temptation to keep going. What if you let these extra hours of light invite you to slow down?
Here’s a quick check-in to see if cortisol might be impacting your hormones:
Waking up at 3 AM, then crashing in the afternoon
Drinking caffeine before eating
Exercising while fasting
Feeling guilty when you rest
If these resonate, your body may be craving nervous system support. One effective place to start is syncing your circadian rhythm with natural light. Try:
☀️ Sunlight within 30 minutes of waking
🙏 Morning prayer or stillness
☕ No caffeine on an empty stomach; no caffeine after noon
🌿 Weekly time in nature—even in your backyard
I talk about this further on this Instagram post:
Looking for Support?
If you’re ready for a gentle reset, I invite you to join my free 7-Day Hormone Reset Email Course. One of the days focuses entirely on stress and nervous system regulation—because hormones can’t heal in a chronically stressed state.
➡️ Click here to join the 7-Day Reset
I’ve also been more active on Instagram lately, if you’re looking for quick, educational hormone lessons in your feed.
➡️ Follow along on Instagram
And if you prefer longer-form conversations, I’ve recently been interviewed on a few podcasts —one explores the role of men in understanding women’s hormones to better support women’s health and foster strong communication in relationships and marriage through a shared language around fertility and the female cycle; the other shares my personal journey from collegiate athlete to missionary to hormone educator and founder of RoseFem.
Cheers to your flourishing,
Leanne