I was constantly tired and gaining weight very quickly, and my periods were extremely irregular (Photo: Gemini)
Hormonal imbalances are behind many misunderstood health issues in women, from mood swings to weight gain, silent internal disruptions that affect millions every day yet often go unnoticed for years.
For a long time, many women quietly carried symptoms they could not explain. Sudden weight gain, painful periods, acne that refused to disappear, constant fatigue, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia and difficulty conceiving were frequently dismissed as “normal female problems.” Others were told they were simply stressed, emotional, lazy or overreacting.
Shalyn Mueni, a 28-year-old marketing executive, says she struggled with unexplained symptoms for years before learning she had PCOS.
“I was constantly tired and gaining weight very quickly, and my periods were extremely irregular. I thought maybe it was just stress from work,” she says. “People kept telling me to exercise more or to avoid certain foods, such as wheat, but I knew something was wrong.”
