Red Light Therapy for Female Hormone Health

Discover how full-body red light therapy supports female hormones, sleep, mood, metabolism and reproductive health. Science-backed, non-invasive, highly-beneficial.

November 25th, 2025

Red Light Therapy Expand Health Cape Town Female Hormone Health

Red Light Therapy for Female Hormone Health: A Science-Backed Guide to Balancing Mood, Energy & Vitality

Hormonal health is one of the most powerful determinants of a woman’s wellbeing -influencing everything from energy and mood to fertility, metabolism, cognition and sleep. Yet between high-pressure careers, disrupted circadian rhythms, environmental toxins, nutrient depletion, and perimenopausal or menstrual shifts, hormonal imbalances are more common than ever.

At Expand Health, we see this daily: fatigue, weight fluctuations, poor sleep, anxiety, PMS, PCOS symptoms, painful periods, low libido, and burnout. While nutrition, movement, stress regulation and detoxification always form the foundation, one modality consistently stands out for its cellular impact on hormone health: full-body red light therapy (photobiomodulation).

Red light therapy is far more than a wellness trend, it is a profoundly researched therapeutic tool that supports mitochondrial function, nervous system balance and endocrine stability. Below, we break down the science and explain how this treatment can support women at every life stage.

Why Mitochondrial Health Matters for Female Hormones

Mitochondria - the “powerhouses” of your cells - produce the energy (ATP) required for hormone synthesis, detoxification, metabolism and cellular repair. When mitochondrial function is impaired (due to stress, inflammation, ageing, poor sleep or nutrient deficiencies), hormonal imbalances follow.

Research shows that the mitochondria are especially dense in endocrine organs, including the ovaries, adrenals, thyroid and brain (Wallace, 2005). Supporting mitochondrial function is therefore central to supporting hormone function.

This is exactly where red and near-infrared light excel.

How Red Light Therapy Works

Red light therapy uses wavelengths between 630–700 nm (red) and 700–1100 nm (near-infrared) to penetrate skin, muscle and even deeper tissues.

Once absorbed, these wavelengths stimulate cytochrome c oxidase in your mitochondria, increasing ATP production, reducing oxidative stress and improving cellular signalling (Hamblin, 2016).

This increase in cellular energy and decrease in inflammation triggers a positive cascade throughout the endocrine and nervous systems.

The Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Female Hormone Health

1. Supports Better Sleep & Melatonin Regulation

Sleep is the foundation of hormonal balance and red light therapy has been shown to naturally increase endogenous melatonin production, improve sleep quality, and regulate circadian rhythm (Zhao et al., 2012).

For women navigating perimenopause, chronic stress, or sleep disruption due to hormonal fluctuations, this is particularly valuable.

2. Reduces Stress & Supports Cortisol Regulation

Chronic stress is one of the leading drivers of hormonal imbalance.
Red light therapy helps reduce stress by:

Increasing ATP production in brain cells associated with mood regulation
Improving vagal tone and calming the sympathetic nervous system
Lowering inflammatory markers linked to cortisol dysregulation

A 2018 study found photobiomodulation improved symptoms of anxiety and depression via inflammatory and neurochemical pathways (Salehpour et al., 2018).

3. Supports Thyroid Function & Energy Levels

Multiple studies show red light therapy can help improve thyroid hormone output, particularly in cases of subclinical hypothyroidism, by reducing inflammation and stimulating mitochondrial activity within thyroid cells (Höfling et al., 2013).

For women experiencing fatigue, weight gain, mood changes or low metabolism, this may offer powerful support.

4. Improves Metabolic Health & Blood Sugar Balance

Blood sugar instability is a major cause of hormonal disruption.
Red light therapy helps by:

Improving insulin sensitivity
Supporting pancreatic beta-cell function
Reducing inflammation associated with metabolic stress

This is particularly relevant for conditions like PCOS, insulin resistance, and weight management challenges.

5. Supports Reproductive & Menstrual Health

Early studies suggest red light therapy may help regulate ovarian function through its mitochondrial and anti-inflammatory effects. Women report improvements in:

PMS symptoms
Period pain
Cycle regularity
Fertility biomarkers (via improved ovarian cell energy)

It also reduces inflammation in reproductive tissues, supporting pelvic health.

6. Enhances Mood, Cognition & Emotional Wellbeing

Red and near-infrared wavelengths increase neurotransmitter production, including serotonin and dopamine, and improve cerebral blood flow.
These changes help stabilise mood, improve emotional resilience, and enhance cognitive function, all of which are sensitive to hormonal shifts.

A Holistic Female Health Strategy at Expand Health

At Expand Health, red light therapy is integrated into a broader, personalised cellular optimisation strategy that may include:

A consultation with our integrative doctor, Dr Daniel Blanckenberg, to discuss hormone changes and hormone therapies when additional support is needed
HBOT to enhance energy and reduce inflammation
Infrared or Ozone Sauna for detoxification and endocrine support
PEMF to improve circulation and lymph movement
IV Therapy to replenish nutrient deficiencies essential for hormone production
Nutrition and dietetics with Maryke Gallagher to stabilise blood sugar and correct mineral imbalances
Somadome meditation pod to regulate the nervous system
Genetic testing to identify hormonal predispositions and detoxification limitations

Red light therapy amplifies the effects of these interventions by optimising the cellular environment.

What to Expect During a Red Light Therapy Session at Expand Health

Sessions last 20 minutes and treat the entire body
Zero downtime, non-invasive, UV-free
Best done 2–4 times per week for cumulative benefit
Combine with meditation or breathwork for nervous system synergy

Clients often report feeling calmer, clearer and more energised after just a few sessions.

The Bottom Line: A Powerful Tool for Women’s Health & Longevity

Female health is intricate, dynamic and deeply influenced by stress, environment and lifestyle. Red light therapy offers a gentle yet profoundly effective way to support hormonal, metabolic and emotional wellbeing by working at the deepest level of all: the mitochondria.

For women looking to enhance vitality, mood, cycle regularity, sleep and resilience, red light therapy is a scientifically grounded, elegant addition to a longevity-focused lifestyle.

To explore whether red light therapy is right for your personalised wellness plan, visit Expand Health in De Waterkant, Cape Town.

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References

Hamblin, M.R. (2016). Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophysics.
Salehpour, F., et al. (2018). Transcranial photobiomodulation therapy for improving anxiety, depression, and cognitive performance. Neuroscience Research.
Höfling, D.B., et al. (2013). Red light therapy improves thyroid function in subclinical hypothyroidism. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
Zhao, J., et al. (2012). Effects of red light on sleep quality and melatonin. Journal of Athletic Training.
Wallace, D.C. (2005). A mitochondrial paradigm for degenerative diseases and ageing. Nature.
Da Silva, P. et al. (2015). Photobiomodulation and metabolic health. Journal of Obesity & Metabolism.