By: Lauren Busch, FDN-P
As a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P) and a woman who has walked her own path of hormone health, I’ve learned that supporting our body’s foundation is the most powerful thing we can do for long-term wellness.
Hormones don’t just “go out of balance” on their own—they respond to everything happening in the body, especially the gut, nutrient status, and inflammatory responses. That’s why daily, intentional foundational support is key for every woman, at every stage of life.
Hormones are always shifting, but two of the most dramatic hormonal transitions in a woman’s life happen during puberty and perimenopause. During puberty, the brain signals the ovaries to begin producing estrogen and progesterone, which initiate changes in the menstrual cycle, body shape, mood, and skin. These hormone levels rise and fall in new patterns, often leading to mood swings, acne, and irregular periods as the body adjusts. Later in life, perimenopause marks the gradual winding down of these same hormones. Estrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate unpredictably—sometimes spiking, sometimes dropping—causing symptoms like hot flashes, disrupted sleep, heavier or lighter periods, increased anxiety, and fatigue. Both stages are natural, but they can feel overwhelming without proper support.
Let’s talk about three products I consider non-negotiables for hormone harmony:
These aren’t your average multivitamins. VMG+ Whole Food Nutrient Complex is packed with bioavailable vitamins and minerals that fill in the nutritional gaps most women have. It features over 90 high-quality ingredients, including whole-food vitamins and minerals, fruits, vegetables, digestive enzymes, probiotics, CPTG Certified Pure Tested Grade® essential oils, and other beneficial nutrients. This clean, vegan, and gluten-free formula delivers essential macro- and micronutrients that the body relies upon to support daily energy levels, immune system function, gut health and digestion, liver function, hormone function, and brain function.*
Your body needs healthy fats to build hormones, protect your brain, and calm the inflammatory system. EO Mega+ Essential Oil Omega Complex is a premium blend of omega fatty acids derived from wild-caught fish off the coast of Norway, providing clean, pure, and traceable fish oil. It also contains CPTG Certified Pure Tested Grade® Wild Orange essential oil to enhance the user experience and contribute various health benefits because of its limonene content. Each serving provides 2,000 mg of fish oil, containing 900 mg of essential omega-3 fatty acids, including 800 mg of omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which are known for their exceptional health benefits.* Essential fatty acids are crucial nutrients for maintaining overall health and vitality. They play a vital role in heart health; cell growth; brain development; skin, eye, and metabolic health; muscle activity; immune function; hormone health; and joint health.* Because the body can’t produce these essential nutrients on its own, it must be obtained through diet. That’s where EO Mega+ comes in, filling this nutritional gap by providing a convenient source of essential fatty acids.
Gut health is foundational to hormone health. doTERRA PB Restore ProBiome Complex is a unique formulation of 30 pre-, pro-, and postbiotics and bacteriophages that help restore microbial diversity and balance for optimal microbiome health and overall wellness.* The 18 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) of probiotics, or good bacteria, consist of 24 active cultures—an unparalleled variety of carefully selected strains from 22 different species—for exceptional microbial diversity.* This helps support digestion, regularity, immune resilience, and the gut-liver axis—critical for proper hormone detoxification. The doTERRA PB Restore dual-chamber, time-released delivery system supports the body throughout the day.* It aids digestive comfort, micronutrient synthesis, gut barrier integrity, and healthy metabolism.* Metabolites produced by the bacterial strains in doTERRA PB Restore have been shown to support skin health, the respiratory and immune systems, and a healthy inflammatory response.* Early research on certain ingredients—including L. Rhamnosus CRL 1505, the postbiotic in doTERRA PB Restore—indicates they may also help with brain, cardiovascular, urological, and metabolite function, as well as a healthy DNA response to oxidative stress.*
While the foundational trio is essential for every woman, our bodies have unique needs during different seasons. Here’s how to personalize your wellness routine based on your stage of life, in addition to the foundational wellness products:
Hormones are just beginning to regulate, and teens often experience skin struggles, mood swings, and nutrient depletion due to stress or poor diet. Fragrances and stress are two often-overlooked factors that can significantly impact the health of teenage and young adult women. Synthetic fragrances, found in perfumes, body sprays, and many personal care products, often contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can interfere with hormone function—contributing to issues like irregular periods, mood swings, and breakouts. At the same time, stressful situations and environments elevate cortisol, which can throw off the delicate balance of sex hormones, disrupt sleep, and negatively impact skin health. Reducing exposure to synthetic fragrances and finding daily ways to manage stress is a powerful step toward protecting hormone health early on. Optimal nutrient stores and hormone balance are critical for healthy fertility and conception. Scientists agree adequate calcium and vitamin D throughout life, as part of a well-balanced diet, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
The body is healing, hormones are recalibrating, and sleep is minimal. Postpartum is a time of immense physical, emotional, and hormonal change, and nourishing the body is essential for recovery and long-term well-being. After pregnancy and birth, nutrient stores—especially iron, B vitamins, and omega-3s—are often depleted, and the demands of healing, breastfeeding, and sleep deprivation only increase the need for support. Prioritizing nutrient-dense foods, targeted supplementation, and gentle gut and hormone support helps restore energy, balance mood, and lay the foundation for thriving in this new season of motherhood.
Hormones begin to fluctuate and symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and weight gain can appear. Estrogen and progesterone levels settle at lower levels, and women often seek support for bones, sleep, metabolism, and emotional well-being. During perimenopause, shifting hormone levels—especially the decline in estrogen and progesterone—can have a significant impact on metabolism. These changes can lead to a decreased response to insulin, a slower resting metabolic rate, and a tendency to store more fat around the midsection. Many women notice it's harder to maintain their weight or energy levels, even with the same habits they had before. Supporting metabolic health during this phase is essential for maintaining strength, energy, and hormone balance.
The journey of womanhood is beautiful, powerful, and ever-changing. With the right foundational support and personalized tools, you can feel vibrant, balanced, and in tune with your body through every phase.
Start simple. Start foundational. You’ll be amazed at how everything else begins to fall into place.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
