In the world of women’s health, especially in hormonal wellness, Western medicine has often fallen short. Many women find their concerns dismissed with phrases like “it’s just hormones” or “there’s nothing wrong.” Dr. Tasneem Bhatia, in her work The Hormone Shift, brings attention to the gaps in conventional treatment and advocates for a more comprehensive approach to hormonal health. In a society where “just hormones” has become an all-too-familiar dismissal, it’s time to embrace a perspective that sees hormones as a vital part of a woman’s overall health.

The Hormonal Health Crisis in Western Medicine

For decades, hormonal issues have been minimized or dismissed, particularly in women. Western medicine has traditionally separated mind, body, and spirit, often failing to address the root cause of hormone-related concerns, or merely offering symptom management without exploring the deeper layers of a patient’s health. For example, a woman experiencing fatigue, mood swings, or irregular periods may receive birth control pills or antidepressants without an in-depth exploration of her hormonal balance. Dr. Bhatia’s insights underline the need for more attention and respect for hormonal health, recognizing that hormone fluctuations affect every aspect of a woman’s well-being.

Moving Beyond Symptom Management: The Blueprint Approach

Early in my journey as a health coach, I relied on a standard intake form to gather information on new clients, seeking to identify what was going on and what their immediate needs were. But after reading Dr. Bhatia’s work, I began to see this process differently. Rather than just collecting information, this intake became a blueprint of the client’s life—what has brought them to this point and what their body is calling for. This is a profound shift in perspective. The blueprint reflects everything that has shaped their health journey, capturing the interconnected aspects of their body, mind, and spirit, and giving insight into where imbalances may lie.

The Power of a Holistic Approach to Hormonal Health

A holistic approach sees hormonal imbalance as a signal—a message that the body is asking for support, rest, or change. Holistic health combines lifestyle medicine, mind-body practices, and both Western and Eastern therapies. When I work with clients, I begin with a comprehensive "blueprint" of their health, including lifestyle habits, nutrition, exercise, stress, and even emotional health. This individualized blueprint captures the whole person—not just their symptoms but their unique physical, mental, and emotional factors.

Eastern medicine, like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, offers complementary tools to understand and treat the root causes of imbalance. For example, Ayurveda identifies specific “doshas” (constitutional types) that guide treatment based on a person’s unique energy balance. Meanwhile, Traditional Chinese Medicine sees symptoms as energetic blockages and imbalances in the body’s “qi” (life force), offering practices such as acupuncture, herbs, and mindfulness to restore flow. These perspectives see hormones as part of a larger ecosystem, deeply intertwined with emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

Integrating Ronoga and Te Whare Tapa Whā for Holistic Healing

To further enrich the holistic approach, I incorporate frameworks like Ronoga (a Māori concept of holistic well-being) and Te Whare Tapa Whā. Te Whare Tapa Whā, developed by Māori health leader Sir Mason Durie, presents health as a four-sided model representing physical health (taha tinana), mental and emotional health (taha hinengaro), social health (taha whānau), and spiritual health (taha wairua). In this view, if one side of the “house” is impacted, the whole structure is affected. Ronoga and Te Whare Tapa Whā reinforce that by addressing all parts of a person’s well-being—physical, emotional, social, and spiritual—we address the root causes of imbalance, fostering harmony across the entire system.

Creating a Path to Balance: An Integrated Healing Approach

Using both Western insights and Eastern holistic philosophies, I guide my clients in a way that addresses the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. The goal is to restore balance, not simply alleviate symptoms. Here are some core elements of this integrated healing approach:

• Stress Management: Chronic stress disrupts hormone regulation, particularly cortisol, a hormone intricately linked to stress responses. To help clients manage stress, I incorporate practices such as mindfulness, breathwork, and guided relaxation, allowing the body to down-regulate and return to a balanced state. These tools give clients the ability to manage stress in real-time and support long-term resilience.

• Nutrition and Supplements: Hormones require adequate nutrition to function optimally. Based on bloodwork and lab results, I recommend a diet rich in hormone-supportive nutrients, like magnesium and vitamin D, while adjusting macronutrients to support stable blood sugar. Whole foods, hydration, and balanced meals become the foundation of their hormonal health.

• Emotional and Social Health: Incorporating the principles of Te Whare Tapa Whā and Ronoga means recognizing the impact of emotional and social well-being on hormonal health. Lifestyle coaching often includes working through relationship dynamics, career stressors, or self-esteem challenges, as these deeply affect the body’s stress response and, consequently, hormone balance. This approach also includes practices like journaling, grounding exercises, and exploring one’s relationship with self and community.

The Journey Toward Balance and Empowerment

Hormonal health is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and every woman’s blueprint is unique. By integrating Western and Eastern approaches, I can offer women a more nuanced, personalized pathway to healing. Instead of quick fixes, we work on understanding the root of the imbalance and building tools that allow the body to heal itself.

Ultimately, the aim is not just balance but empowerment—enabling women to understand their bodies and make informed choices to support their own well-being. Through the lens of holistic health, women learn to listen to their bodies, honor their needs, and achieve long-lasting health. In partnership with their own blueprints, they gain tools, wisdom, and confidence to navigate each stage of life with grace and balance.

By respecting the complex interplay between the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual, we step away from the limitations of “it’s just hormones” and recognize the incredible potential within each woman’s journey to holistic health.

Call to Action

In addressing the health challenges women face today, it’s clear that the Western medical model alone cannot fully address the complexity of hormonal health and well-being. We must embrace an integrative approach that combines the strengths of both Western and Eastern practices. Incorporating frameworks like Te Whare Tapa Whā and holistic modalities, we can more deeply understand and heal the whole person. To create a truly healthy global population, we need to move beyond symptom management and embrace a path that honors the mind-body connection, supports true balance, and empowers individuals.

Together, let’s pave the way toward a holistic health revolution—one that brings both science and ancient wisdom to our collective well-being.

In addressing the health challenges women face today, it’s clear that the Western medical model alone cannot fully address the complexity of hormonal health and well-being. We must embrace an integrative approach that combines the strengths of both Western and Eastern practices. Incorporating frameworks like Te Whare Tapa Whā and holistic modalities, we can more deeply understand and heal the whole person. To create a truly healthy global population, we need to move beyond symptom management and embrace a path that honors the mind-body connection, supports true balance, and empowers individuals.

Together, let’s pave the way toward a holistic health revolution—one that brings both science and ancient wisdom to our collective well-being.