When periods vanish or show up unpredictably, it can feel like the body is operating on its own mysterious timeline. Irregular cycles—or in some cases, complete absence of menstruation—can happen for many different reasons. Sometimes it’s stress. Sometimes it’s hormones. And sometimes, it’s the body’s way of sending a message that it needs more support. The good news is, natural care offers more than one path toward balance. From herbal strategies to nutritional changes, there are options that don’t require jumping straight into medications or synthetic hormones. Many women are now looking to time-tested traditions blended with current science, and that’s where the conversation about holistic health begins to matter more than ever.
Understanding Hormonal Imbalance Through Food
The foundation of hormonal balance often starts in the kitchen. It’s not always about following a strict diet, but more about tuning in to what your body might be missing. Irregular periods can sometimes come from not eating enough, especially if someone is unknowingly under-fueling while exercising a lot or managing anxiety. The body sees this as a signal to hold back on reproductive processes. That’s when cycles might go missing.
Fats, especially the healthy kinds found in avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, play a key role in hormone production. Without enough fat, the body can’t make the hormones needed to keep cycles steady. Protein also helps maintain blood sugar stability, and when blood sugar swings too far in either direction, it can throw off estrogen and progesterone balance. Adding in leafy greens and root vegetables supports liver function, which is important because the liver helps the body process and clear out excess hormones.
In traditional naturopathic care, there’s a strong belief that food is information. At Avena Natural Health, the focus is on using whole foods to help bring the body back into rhythm. Nutritional support might include identifying any food sensitivities, gut imbalances, or missing micronutrients that could be interfering with healthy cycles. A naturopathic consultation is often the first step toward understanding those gaps.
Herbal Support That Aligns with the Body’s Rhythm
Many herbs have long been used to support female hormonal health, and not in a one-size-fits-all way. Each plant works a little differently, and part of the art of herbal medicine is knowing how to match the right plant with the right person. Chaste tree berry, often known as Vitex, is commonly used when progesterone levels seem low. It supports the pituitary gland, helping encourage regular ovulation. For women dealing with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), spearmint tea has shown promise in helping to lower elevated androgen levels, which can cause skipped periods and other cycle issues.
Adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and rhodiola are not directly related to hormones but are still relevant. That’s because stress can play a large role in amenorrhea and irregular periods. When the body feels like it’s in danger—whether due to emotional stress or physical stress—it may pause non-essential functions like menstruation. Adaptogens help the body recalibrate how it responds to stress, and over time, this can make a difference in cycle regularity.
Some women benefit from working with customized herbal tinctures made just for their body’s needs. At Avena Natural Health, herbs are often incorporated into broader wellness plans. In some cases, when cycles are particularly stubborn, additional treatments such as IV therapy in San Diego may be used to quickly replenish nutrients and support adrenal function. These therapies are gentle but targeted, making them an appealing option for those who want to feel stronger and more centered as they move toward hormonal balance.
Lifestyle Changes That Reconnect the Cycle
Sometimes, the missing puzzle piece is found in the nervous system. Constantly being in go-mode, juggling work and family and everything else, can send cortisol levels sky-high. Cortisol, the main stress hormone, doesn’t work in isolation—it competes with the reproductive system. When cortisol stays elevated for too long, it can suppress the hormones responsible for ovulation and menstruation.
Building daily practices that downshift the nervous system helps restore communication between the brain and the ovaries. This could look like walking in nature, journaling before bed, or taking warm baths with Epsom salts. Gentle movement like yoga or stretching helps increase blood flow to the pelvis, encouraging the body to resume its normal rhythm.
Sleep also plays a major role. Irregular sleep patterns can lead to irregular cycles. The body craves consistency, especially when it comes to rest. Creating an evening routine, reducing screen time before bed, and aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep can have a noticeable effect—not just on periods but on overall mood and energy levels too.
For those dealing with long-standing cycle issues, naturopathic consultations in San Diego are often the doorway into these kinds of holistic assessments. Each person’s story is different, and uncovering what’s been keeping the body stuck often takes a layered approach. That’s the advantage of working with a practice like Avena Natural Health, where deeper investigation is paired with gentle strategies to support the whole body.
When It’s Time to Seek Personalized Support
While many women try to manage irregular periods on their own for months or even years, there comes a time when having a partner in healing makes all the difference. That’s especially true when cycles stop altogether. Amenorrhea isn’t always a problem in itself—it’s often a symptom of something deeper. Whether it’s thyroid imbalance, undiagnosed PCOS, past trauma, or post-birth control syndrome, there’s almost always a root cause worth exploring.
A naturopathic doctor doesn’t just look at lab numbers. They ask about lifestyle, stress patterns, digestion, and even emotional history. They look at how everything is connected and then create a plan that moves with the body, not against it. Treatments might include herbs, nutritional counseling, nervous system support, and in some cases, IV therapy in San Diego to rebuild reserves that have been depleted.
Natural, Balanced Regulation
What’s refreshing is that none of these strategies are about forcing the body to behave. They’re about listening and responding. That’s what makes the care from naturopathic doctors in San Diego different. It’s personal. It’s grounded. And it respects the body’s natural timing.
Women often report feeling more in tune with their cycles, not just because their period returned, but because they gained a deeper understanding of their own health. And that’s what makes this work worth doing. It’s not about quick fixes—it’s about long-term balance that can carry forward into every season of life.
In the end, irregular cycles and amenorrhea don’t have to be accepted as permanent. The body is always trying to move toward balance, and with the right tools, guidance, and support, that balance can often be restored gently and naturally.
Media Credit: All photos licensed from Adobe.
Dr. Laura Kostrzewski, a San Diego native, completed her undergraduate degree at California Polytechnic State University, earning a BS in animal science with minors in Spanish and Psychology. She then earned her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and taught fifth grade in the central coast of California for two years. After being extremely involved in her grandfather’s journey with Parkinson’s disease and end-of-life care, Dr. Kostrzewski decided to move back to San Diego and enroll at Bastyr University California. Dr. Kostrzewski received her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University California in June of 2019, and then went on to complete her residency at Bastyr. Before AVENA Wellness, DR. K started her own private practice, focusing on management of neurodegenerative conditions, and continued teaching at Bastyr as adjunct faculty, until founding Avena Health.