Hormonal Harmony

Asha Duvvuri
1 day ago
3 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Asha Duvvuri

Creative writing & Illustrations by: Harinath

Gita’s Silent Struggle: A Story of Balance

Gita, 38, is an ambitious woman. Every morning, she ...strides confidently into her sleek real estate corner office on the 26th floor. Dressed in a crisp white suit, she carries an expensive purse. A delicate, nearly invisible chain held a fat diamond that matched the sparkle of her ring. Her flawless makeup blends so seamlessly into her skin that it looks like she's wearing almost none at all.

As Sales Head at a leading firm in Mumbai, Gita juggles multiple responsibilities. She handles site visits, demanding clients, team reviews, and tight sales targets. Simultaneously, she coordinates her 8-year-old’s school projects and stays active on the WhatsApp ADDA group—scrolling through chats about dogs, maids, and waiting for chances to share her opinions or check updates on the nearest stationery shop she had asked about.

From the outside, she’s what many would call “sorted.” But behind the glossy exterior is a woman often running on empty.

For the past few months, Gita’s mornings had begun with fatigue that even coffee couldn’t shake off. Her mood swung unpredictably—irritable one moment, tearful the next. She once snapped at a junior over a minor typo in a presentation, then found herself crying in the car during lunch break without knowing exactly why.

At home, even small requests from her child began to feel overwhelming, leaving her both guilty and confused. She noticed her belly bloating often, even though her meals hadn't changed.

And her once-regular periods started arriving late, sometimes skipping altogether.

She couldn’t ignore it anymore. Her body was clearly trying to tell her something.

When she finally visited a wellness consultant, the underlying culprit was clear: hormonal imbalance.

What Was Happening Inside Gita’s Body?

Let’s break it down:

1. Cortisol – The Stress Hormone

Gita’s job was high-pressure. She was constantly “on”—managing negotiations, conflicts, deadlines. Over time, this chronic stress had pushed her cortisol levels up.

What it did to her?
High cortisol was messing with her metabolism and sleep, leaving her wired but exhausted. Her belly fat and fatigue had a name now.

2. Progesterone – The Calming Hormone

In women her age, progesterone often dips due to lifestyle stress and age. It works in sync with estrogen, and when it's low, women feel anxious, irritable, and may have irregular cycles.

What it did to her?
Gita’s PMS-like symptoms, mood swings, and spotting before periods pointed to low progesterone.

3. Melatonin – The Sleep Hormone

With late-night screen scrolling, client calls till 10 p.m., and wine to "wind down," Gita's natural melatonin cycle had gone haywire.

What it did to her?
Poor sleep meant poor hormone regulation. Cortisol remained high, and progesterone stayed low—a vicious cycle.

Gita’s Turnaround: Yoga and Lifestyle Shifts

Rather than pills, Gita chose to reset her life, gently. Her wellness guide introduced her to a hormone-balancing yoga routine and mindful habits.

Here’s what helped:

Yoga Techniques

Viparita Karani (Legs Up the Wall): Calms the nervous system and reduces cortisol.
Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breath): Soothes anxiety and supports melatonin release.
Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Butterfly Pose): Relieves menstrual discomfort and nurtures reproductive organs.
Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose): Supports thyroid and balances progesterone.

Lifestyle Tweaks

Switched off screens by 9 PM.
Ate dinner by 7:30 PM to help insulin and digestion.
Took short sunlight walks post-lunch to regulate her circadian rhythm.
Practiced 10 mins of deep breathing before bed.

In 6 weeks, the changes were subtle yet powerful: deeper sleep, better focus, fewer mood swings, and a more predictable cycle. She started feeling herself again—not just a title or a task list, but a woman reclaiming her rhythm.

Your Turn to Pause and Reflect

Are you, like Gita, holding up the world while quietly feeling off-balance inside?

Hormones don’t scream; they whisper. They murmur through persistent fatigue, sudden mood dips, restless nights, and unexplained changes in your body—soft signals that something deeper needs your attention. Listen closely.

Want to know more about your hormonal health or how yoga can help?

Curious about your hormonal health or how yoga can help? Let’s connect on Instagram. Let’s begin the journey back to harmony—gently, one breath at a time.