Mom Hormones 101: Why You’re Still Tired, Bloated, and Yelling at the Dog

Alright, ladies. Let’s set the scene: you’ve had the baby (could be months ago, could be years, time is now a flat circle), and yet you’re still walking around like a bloated, ragey zombie with a messy bun and three-day-old mascara flakes clinging to your cheek like badges of honor. You’re exhausted, you yell at inanimate objects (and sometimes the dog), and you’re wondering, “Is this just who I am now?”

No, babe. It’s not just you—it’s your hormones.

Let’s break it down, minus the science jargon and guilt.

First of All—WTF Happened to My Hormones?

Here’s the short and not-so-sweet version:
When you had a baby, your hormones didn’t just “go back to normal.” Nope. They went on a rollercoaster ride with no seatbelts and then ghosted you like a bad ex. What you're dealing with now is the aftermath of that wild hormonal rave—and no one handed you the recovery plan.

Meet the Usual Suspects:

• Cortisol (a.k.a. The Stress Junkie): This little beast is supposed to help you wake up and handle stress. But when you're not sleeping, living off coffee, and trying to remember what silence sounds like—cortisol gets jacked. Too much cortisol = more belly fat, anxiety, insomnia, and oh yeah, that “wired but tired” feeling you can’t shake.

• Estrogen & Progesterone (The Frienemies): After giving birth, these two do a dance that’s more awkward than your aunt at a wedding. Estrogen can tank, making you feel foggy, irritable, and dry (yes, everywhere). Meanwhile, progesterone, your calming, cozy hormone, is probably hanging by a thread thanks to chronic stress.

• Thyroid Hormones (The Sloth in a Hoodie): Your thyroid took a hit during pregnancy and may never have fully bounced back. Cue weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, and feeling cold while your kids are stripping down because it's "too hot."

• Insulin (The Sugar Enabler): Sleep deprivation + stress + snacks you didn’t even want but scarfed anyway = insulin resistance. This means your blood sugar is on a permanent rollercoaster and you can’t figure out why you NEED a cookie at 2:37 p.m. every single day.

So...Why Am I Bloated, Moody, and Ready to Fight a Toddler Over a Cheerio?

Because your hormones are throwing a toddler-level tantrum. And instead of sending them to time-out, we tend to throw caffeine, wine, and a "power through" attitude at the problem. Cute. But not exactly helpful.

Here’s what all that hormone imbalance feels like:

• You wake up tired even after sleeping.

• You can’t remember the last time your jeans fit without a dance routine.

• Your skin is dull, your sex drive ghosted you, and you cried watching a cereal commercial.

• You're doing your best, but your body feels like it's lagging 5 steps behind your life.

What You Don’t Need to Do

Let’s start here because moms are told to “fix” things with an exhausting list of shoulds:

• Cut all carbs

• Start an 18-step skincare routine

• Wake up at 5 a.m. to meditate

• Buy a juicer that costs more than your car

Hard pass.

You don’t need a full lifestyle overhaul. You need small, doable shifts that help your hormones chill the hell out.

Hormone Helpers That Don’t Involve a Complete Personality Change

1. Eat Like You Actually Matter

No more living off crusts, scraps, or “forgotten” lattes. Your body needs nourishment that balances blood sugar. That means:

• Protein with every meal (and snack)

• Healthy fats (hello, avocado and olive oil)

• Fiber (veggies, chia, flax—yes, your poop matters here)

• Ditching the 3-cup coffee drip before breakfast

This one tweak alone helps cortisol, insulin, estrogen, and your ability to tolerate loud chewing.

2. Actually Sleep—Or At Least Pretend

Okay, okay, I know—sleep is a luxury in mom land. But here’s the deal: your hormones restore and repair while you sleep. So:

• Put your phone to bed before you (blue light is a hormone saboteur)

• Try magnesium glycinate before bed

• Skip that second glass of wine—booze is fun until it wrecks your REM

Even just resting without multitasking is hormonal gold.

3. Get Outside, Move Your Body, But Don’t Overdo It

You don’t need bootcamp or hot yoga torture sessions right now. You need:

• Walks in the sun

• Gentle strength training

• Stretching while you hide from your kids in the bathroom

This moves lymph, lowers cortisol, supports thyroid, and helps your moods...without tanking your already-depleted reserves.

4. Check Your Labels (And I Don’t Mean Designer Ones)

Endocrine disruptors are lurking in your lotions, cleaning sprays, plastic containers, and scented candles. These sneaky hormone-messers mimic estrogen and throw your whole system off.

Simple swaps:

• Ditch the “fragrance” and opt for unscented or essential oil-based

• Go glass instead of plastic for food storage

• Try a natural deodorant (yes, your armpits will survive)

5. Support Your Stress Response Like It’s a Full-Time Job

Because it is. You’re running a household, probably working or planning to, and keeping tiny humans alive. That’s heroic—but your nervous system needs support:

• Deep breathing (even if it’s just 2 minutes hiding in the closet)

• Adaptogens like ashwagandha or rhodiola

• Saying no without a paragraph of explanation

Normalize protecting your peace like you protect your toddler’s nap.

Let’s Wrap It Up Before Someone Screams “MOMMMMMMM!” Again

You're not broken. You're not lazy. You’re not “just getting older.”

You’re a woman whose body went through an Olympic-level hormonal marathon called motherhood—and you're still expected to run the show like nothing happened. But that tired, bloated, overwhelmed feeling isn’t your new normal. It’s your hormones waving a white flag.

Listen to it.

Give your body the basics: real food, rest, less stress, clean products, and movement that doesn’t feel like punishment. Your hormones will thank you. And maybe, just maybe, the dog will get a break too.

Ready to start small and reset those wild post-baby hormones without losing your mind (or pantry snacks)?
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www.thereginasteele.com | @thereginasteele

Let’s stop yelling at the dog and start feeling like ourselves again. Hormones be damned.