Do Hormones Contribute to Weight Gain During Menopause?

It’s frustrating and often discouraging to gain weight during menopause. It’s hard enough to deal with the other menopause symptoms, which include hot flashes, chills, sleep problems, weight gain, night sweats, a slowed metabolism, and mood swings. But when you add the difficulty of trying to control your weight, it can feel like you can’t do anything.

Many individuals have various perspectives about why women gain weight after menopause. Some people think it’s because of hormone changes, while others think it’s because of a slow metabolism. An increased or uncontrolled appetite can cause weight gain and a slower metabolism. Still, others think it’s because of changes in lifestyle and habits. These ideas are partly right, but the honest answer is more complicated. We’ll talk about how hormones can cause weight gain and how to deal with them during menopause to keep your weight in check during this challenging time.

Take Charge of Weight Gain During Menopause

There’s no denying that changes in hormones cause weight gain during menopause. As a woman gets closer to menopause, her levels of essential hormones start to drop. This imbalance of hormones can cause changes in appetite, metabolism, and even the way the body is made up.

Estrogen Hormone:

The ovaries make a hormone called estrogen. It is essential to keep the menstrual cycle in order and prepare the body for pregnancy. During menopause, the amount of estrogen in the body starts to drop, which can lead to several changes. These changes include having hot flashes, sweating at night, and having trouble sleeping. Low estrogen levels can also cause people to gain weight. This is because estrogen helps keep the body’s metabolism in check and keeps fat cells from building up. So, when estrogen levels drop, it may be more challenging for the body to burn calories, which can lead to weight gain.

Progesterone:

Progesterone is made by the ovaries as well. Its primary job is to prepare the uterus for pregnancy, but it also helps keep the menstrual cycle in order. During menopause, progesterone levels drop quickly. This can cause several symptoms, like irregular periods, sleep problems, night sweats, and dryness in the vaginal area. Low progesterone levels can also make you gain weight because progesterone helps control your appetite and metabolism. So, slow metabolism and an increased or uncontrolled appetite can cause weight gain.

See More: Going Through Menopause? It’s Time to Look Into Hormone Replacement Therapy

As a Team, Estrogen, and Progesterone

Estrogen and progesterone function together to maintain blood sugar levels at a stable level. But when estrogen and progesterone levels drop during menopause, this can cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate, making it easier to gain weight.

How to Stop Weight Gain During Menopause

So, what does all this mean to you? First, if you’re having trouble with menopausal weight gain, you should know that hormones are probably to blame. But don’t worry, you can still keep your weight in check during this time.

1. Keep moving

No matter where you are, exercise is one of the most effective ways to keep weight under control. But it’s imperative during and after menopause. Regular exercise can help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism, building muscle mass, and lowering your stress level. Aim for 30 minutes of workouts five days a week at a moderate intensity and some muscle-building activities twice a week.

2. How to eat healthily

During menopause, you also need a healthy diet to keep your weight in check. Focus on eating many fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods, drinks with too much sugar, and saturated and unhealthy fats. Consider talking to a registered dietitian if you have trouble with cravings or figuring out what foods work best. They can help you develop a plan for healthy eating that fits your needs and goals.

3. Therapy for hormones

Some women may be able to deal with menopause symptoms, like weight gain, with hormone therapy. It might sound scary and complicated, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You won’t believe it, but you can test for hormone imbalances from the comfort of your own home. If you choose bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, you may get better and more personalized results.

See Also: Protect your heart at Menopause with Women’s HRT

Last thoughts:

Weight gain during menopause is a frustrating problem that many women face today. There’s no doubt that hormones play a role in weight gain during this time, but don’t forget that there are ways that you can deal with it. You can control the weight gain that comes with menopause if you work out regularly, eat well, and get hormone therapy.

If you are having trouble with gaining too much weight, talk to one of our qualified healthcare providers about hormone therapy today. Our hormone testing kit that you can use at home can also help you learn more about your hormone levels and how they might affect your health.

Stop guessing about menopause and start on the path to better health today.

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