By Lisa Edmondson, Women’s Health and Hormonal Lead, Nurse, Master Holistic Health Coach for My Wellbeing Team, Takapuna, Auckland & Online
In today’s fast-moving world, we’re witnessing a rising trend in health issues that seem closely tied to the roles men and women are now expected to play. From hormonal imbalance and fatigue to burnout and chronic emotional stress — we’re seeing the impact of trying to live in ways that may be out of sync with our biological design.
Let’s start with clarity: this conversation is not about pushing women into domestic stereotypes or suggesting men should shoulder all financial responsibilities. Far from it.
As the Women’s Health and Hormonal Lead at MyWellbeing, and a dedicated advocate for women’s long-term health, I approach this topic with deep respect for both progress and physiology. With a Master in Holistic Health Coaching specialising in Women’s Health, my focus is always on empowering women to thrive — not by limiting choices, but by understanding how modern pressures may be affecting our bodies at a foundational level.
What we’re exploring here is how fast societal expectations have shifted, while our biology has stayed much the same — and how that mismatch may be contributing to a decline in overall wellbeing.
Our Origins: How Our Bodies Evolved
If we go back thousands of years to early human history, roles within a tribe or community were largely dictated by biological strengths and reproductive capacity.
Men, with greater physical strength and cardiovascular capacity for explosive movement, typically took on hunting and protection. Women, in contrast, were central to nurturing, gathering, organising, and sustaining the group — a reflection of their role in reproduction, caregiving, and community stability.
These weren’t political decisions. They were practical survival strategies, embedded over millennia into our nervous systems, hormones, and energy regulation mechanisms.
And here’s the crucial point: physiology changes very slowly. Our modern lives may be radically different, but the inner workings of our bodies are still wired for an entirely different way of living.
From the 1970s to Now: What’s Changed?
Over just a few short decades, there’s been an enormous shift in how we live, work, and raise families.
The 1970s: The Beginning of Change
With increasing access to higher education and contraception, more women began entering the workforce. Yet in many households, domestic expectations remained unchanged. This dual load — working outside the home while still managing most of the family care — marked the beginning of chronic overload for women.
The 1990s to 2000s: The Productivity Trap
By the 1990s and early 2000s, two-income households were the norm, and the digital revolution had taken hold. Life sped up. Work bled into home time. Social expectations expanded.
Both men and women were now expected to be highly productive professionals, emotionally engaged parents, domestic contributors, and physically healthy individuals — all at once.
But our biology hasn’t kept pace. And we’re seeing the results in our health:
- Rising burnout and anxiety
- Higher incidence of hormonal imbalance
- Increasing fertility challenges
- Greater numbers reporting adrenal fatigue and chronic low energy
Is This a New Crisis or Are We Just Speaking Up?
Some argue that we’re simply becoming more open and aware when it comes to talking about health. And that’s a good thing.
But a closer look at public health data suggests these aren’t just reporting changes — they’re real, measurable trends.
- Sperm counts have dropped significantly in recent decades
- Menstrual disorders and hormone-related conditions are on the rise
- Mental health issues, including stress-related disorders, have sharply increased in working-age adults
- And obesity and metabolic dysfunction are more common than ever
Clearly, something deeper is happening. We are pushing bodies designed for rhythm, rest and recovery into lives built around non-stop output.
Biology vs. The Workweek: Are We Ignoring the Female Cycle?
The traditional five-day workweek was designed around the male 24-hour hormone cycle, where testosterone peaks in the morning and steadily declines by evening. This suits a consistent pattern of daily exertion and recovery.
But women’s hormonal patterns follow a roughly 28-day cycle, with distinct shifts in energy, mood, and motivation throughout the month.
- Follicular and ovulatory phases: energy is higher, productivity and confidence peak.
- Luteal and menstrual phases: the body naturally craves more rest and introspection.
Yet society demands the same level of performance every day of the month — ignoring the natural ebb and flow that’s built into half the population.
Ignoring these rhythms doesn’t just lead to burnout — it contributes to painful periods, PMS, poor recovery, and even long-term hormonal disruption.
Are Our Lifestyles to Blame?
It’s not just the pace of life that’s causing trouble. There are many modern-day stressors that our ancestors simply didn’t face:
- Processed foods stripped of nutrients and filled with additives
- Environmental toxins that interfere with endocrine function
- Constant exposure to screens and EMFs, which may affect circadian regulation
- Lack of downtime in a culture that celebrates hustle and productivity
Combine this with the mental load of raising children, maintaining relationships, and managing a household — and it’s no surprise that so many clients we work with feel utterly depleted.
Can Our DNA Catch Up?
This is a fair question. Can we eventually adapt?
In terms of genetics, true biological evolution takes hundreds or even thousands of years. While epigenetics shows that we can influence gene expression with diet and lifestyle, our core hormonal wiring remains largely unchanged.
This means we’re asking our nervous systems and hormonal axes to function in a world they were never designed for. And the cost is showing up in our health — especially in women.
So What Can We Do?
The solution isn’t about turning back time. It’s about creating systems and choices that align with how our bodies work — rather than forcing ourselves to keep up with unrealistic standards.
At MyWellbeing, we support women and families to reconnect with their health in a way that’s biologically aware and emotionally sustainable.
Our approach includes:
- Cycle-aware wellness plans tailored to your hormonal patterns
- Nutritional guidance that supports hormone and nervous system regulation
- Behavioural support to create long-term, manageable lifestyle change
- Education that empowers you to understand your body and its cues
- Ongoing partnership, so you never feel like you’re navigating it alone
Finding a New Rhythm
We don’t need to go back to the cave — but we do need to bring forward some of the wisdom we’ve lost.
Your body wasn’t designed to operate at full speed every single day. It was built for cycles, seasons, and recalibration. The more we honour that — at home, at work, and within ourselves — the more resilient our health becomes.
If you’re ready to take a whole-person approach to your health — one that respects your biology and supports your lifestyle — we’re here to help.
Book a consultation online or in Takapuna and start reconnecting with the rhythm your body remembers.