You’re Tired But Can’t Sleep. Anxious But Can’t Explain Why.
You’ve cut back on coffee, thinking that may have something to do with it, You’ve tried meditation and that gives some relief, but not a ton, you have done the breathing apps, supplemented with melatonin and still, you can’t calm your mind enough to fall asleep.
Or when you finally shut your mind off long enough to get some sleep, you wake up feeling just as tired as when you went to bed!
FRUSTRATING I KNOW!
You might be tempted to chalk it up to stress or burnout, and you may not be wrong to think that is part of the problem.
But what if the real issue is a hormone imbalance that’s affecting your brain chemistry, specifically, low progesterone and poor GABA support?
What Is Progesterone (and Why Do You Need It)?
Progesterone is one of the body’s most calming, balancing hormones. It’s made after ovulation and is responsible for:
Regulating your menstrual cycle
Supporting implantation and fertility
Helping you sleep deeply
Keeping anxiety in check
Balancing out estrogen
When progesterone is low, you may feel anxious, restless, emotionally fragile, and struggle to fall or stay asleep. Especially in the second half of your cycle.
What Is GABA and How Does It Relate to Progesterone?
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is your brain’s “brake pedal.” It helps you slow down, unwind, sleep, and stay calm in the face of stress.
Think of your brain like a busy highway. GABA is the gentle red light that helps you stop before spinning out of control.
And here’s the key: progesterone naturally enhances GABA activity in the brain.
When progesterone drops, so does your ability to make and use GABA effectively, which is why you might feel:
Wired at night
Anxious without a clear trigger
Overstimulated by noises or conversations
Unable to “shut your brain off”
The Progesterone–GABA Imbalance: A Perfect Storm
If you’re in perimenopause, under chronic stress, or have irregular cycles, your body may not be ovulating consistently, which means you’re not producing enough progesterone.
Without that steady supply, your GABA system is left unsupported. The result?
You feel like your nervous system is always stuck in “high alert” mode even when nothing is wrong.
Are These Symptoms Showing Up for You?
Anxious or panicky feelings, especially in the second half of your cycle
Restless or broken sleep
Waking up at 3am and can’t fall back asleep
Feeling “wired but tired”
PMS-related mood changes or tearfulness
Shorter or irregular cycles
Breast tenderness or mid-cycle spotting
Feeling overstimulated by noise or crowds
If several of these sound familiar, low progesterone may be behind your hormone imbalance and the mental and emotional stress that comes with it.
Root Causes of Low Progesterone
Chronic stress or high cortisol (they block ovulation)
Perimenopause or PCOS (where ovulation is irregular or absent)
Overexercising or undereating
Post-birth control recovery
Nutrient deficiencies (zinc, B6, magnesium)
Thyroid issues that interfere with hormone production
How I Use the ENDO Plus Panel to Get Answers
The ENDO Plus panel is my go-to hormone test when I suspect a deeper imbalance. It shows:
Progesterone levels (so we can see if you’re actually ovulating)
Estrogen–progesterone ratios (for identifying dominance or deficiency)
Cortisol patterns throughout the day (how stress is impacting your cycle)
Thyroid and adrenal markers (that influence hormone output)
Metabolism and detox markers that reveal how well your body processes and clears hormones
This test tells us what your levels are, how well you’re using your hormones, and where support is most needed.
It’s one of the most insightful tools for helping women feel like themselves again.
What You Can Do To Support Progesterone and GABA Naturally
Nutrition Tips: Eat With Purpose
Vitamin B6 foods: chicken, turkey, bananas, sunflower seeds
→ Helps convert glutamate into calming GABAZinc-rich foods: pumpkin seeds, beef, lentils
→ Supports healthy ovulation and progesterone productionMagnesium-rich foods: spinach, almonds, dark chocolate
→ Calms the nervous system and promotes deeper sleepHealthy fats: avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, nuts
→ Needed for hormone production and cell signalingLimit alcohol, caffeine, and sugar
→ These deplete nutrients needed for hormone and neurotransmitter balance
Supplements I Often Recommend in Practice
Magnesium glycinate – Supports GABA, reduces anxiety, improves sleep
B6 (P-5-P) – Bioavailable form to help with progesterone and mood regulation
Omega-3s – Support brain health, hormone sensitivity, and inflammation balance
CatecholaCalm – Adaptogen blend to reduce cortisol and protect progesterone levels
Vitex (Chaste Tree) – Encourages natural progesterone production in cycling women
Don’t worry if that overwhelms you, there is a super simple option that is one step.
Axis Endo by Metagenics is one of my favorite all-in-one formulas.
It contains many of the nutrients I’ve mentioned including: magnesium, B vitamins, and stress-modulating botanicals all in one supplement. It is easy to take, simply mix a scoop of the powder in water each day and use it as a snack or the base of a smoothie and let your body do it’s thing!
It’s designed specifically to support women dealing with stress-related hormone imbalances like low progesterone and cortisol dysfunction.
It’s a great place to start if you want targeted support without juggling multiple bottles.
Let’s Balance Your Hormones and Help You Sleep Again
You don’t have to live with this “wired and tired” state. When you balance progesterone and support GABA, your brain finally gets the permission to relax.
Sleep gets easier. Moods stabilize. Your cycle softens.
You begin to feel like you again.
Let’s Personalize Your Plan
Book your free "Can I help?" consultation – we’ll review your symptoms and see if hormone testing or targeted support is right for you.
Explore my recommended supplements to support hormone balance and emotional calm
Don’t let another night pass in restless frustration. There’s a better way — and I’m here to help you find it.