Link Between Hormones and Belly Problems

Introduction

Hormones play an essential role in the body. These are chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands. Hormones regulate many functions in the body. When there is a hormonal imbalance present in the body, it causes many physical symptoms like hormonal belly or bloating. In this condition, there is a weight gain around the stomach. Certain hormones produced in the body are considered to be responsible for this condition.

What Is a Hormonal Belly?

A hormonal belly is a physical symptom due to an imbalance in the body's hormones. This causes excess fat around the belly. Hormones regulate many functions like metabolism, stress, hunger, and sex drive. When certain hormones are deficient, it leads to weight gain around the stomach.

Certain hormones play a role in digestion and metabolism. When there is a change in levels of hormones, the concerned processes may speed up or slow down. When digestion or metabolism gets affected, issues related to the belly arise. This condition is known as hormone belly.

The symptoms related to hormone belly are:

• Weight gain around the abdomen. Despite a good diet and lifestyle, if there is belly fat, it is due to hormonal. Changes in levels of hormones may be due to aging, hormone therapies, and underlying medical conditions.

• The individual’s mood will be affected due to changes in the hormone levels. They exhibit sadness, rage, or a combination of both. Due to age changes, there is a drop in testosterone levels. This may cause erectile dysfunction, muscle loss, moodiness, and fat gain.

• Variations in levels of estrogen and testosterone may impact sex life.

• These individuals always have stress. Due to continuous stress, there is a high level of cortisol. This is the reason for big appetite and high blood sugar levels.

• Individuals feel like having a nap. This activity affects hormone levels.

• Individuals feel like eating something and show cravings. This is a symptom of hormonal changes.

• Gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation.

What Are the Causes of the Hormonal Belly?

Sometimes, the fat accumulated in the belly is due to hormones. This condition is known as the hormonal belly.

Causes of hormonal belly include

• Stress.

• Disturbance in sleep.

• Underlying medical conditions.

• Aging.

How Are Hormone and Belly Problems Linked?

Certain hormones are related to belly problems, like thyroid, sex hormones, stress hormones, and insulin.

Thyroid Hormones:

These hormones are released from the thyroid gland. They help in managing weight, the temperature of the body, the strength of the muscle, and mood. A few thyroid hormones slow down things in the body, whereas some speed up things. This leads to gastrointestinal problems like constipation or increased bowel movements. Another important effect of thyroid hormones is the hormonal belly. When there is a decreased thyroid hormone levels, the individual may gain weight around the midsection. Researchers have shown that higher fat around the stomach is related to lower thyroid hormone levels.

Sex Hormones:

The menstrual cycle is controlled by two hormones called estrogen and progesterone. Before the occurrence of the period, the level of progesterone increases after ovulation, and just before the period, estrogen levels decrease. When the period ends, estrogen levels increase. Because of this type of variation in hormone levels, Gastrointestinal (GI) problems may be seen, like decreased motility in the GI tract.

When there is an increase in levels of estrogen is present, it causes decreased motility in the GI tract leading to bloating. Hormonal changes also cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) issues, like constipation, diarrhea, and bloating.

When an individual reaches menopause, there is variation in the levels of estrogen and androgens. The difference in their levels (low estrogen and high androgen) causes hormonal belly.

Stress Hormones:

When there is an increase in stress, levels of cortisol and adrenaline increase. This leads to GI problems like bloating, excess gas in the stomach or intestine, Nausea and vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea.

Insulin:

This hormone regulates the blood sugar in the body. The body may develop insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is linked to stomach fat.

What Is to Be Done When There Is a Hormone Belly?

Relief from this condition may be obtained based on the cause of the issue.

• If the condition is due to stress, ways can be found to reduce simple stress, like reading books, meditation, or exercises. If stress is severe, help from a mental health professional may be obtained. Being physically active may help reduce stress by managing levels of hormones.

• If the condition is due to thyroid or sex hormones, medical help should be taken. In the case of thyroid issues, medications should be taken to regulate the hormone levels, and radiotherapy or surgery may be required to treat hyperthyroidism.

• In the case of menopause, hormone therapy may be necessary.

Managing Symptoms of IBS:

Stomach pain may be treated with medications, having a lot of fluids and staying hydrated, using a hot water bottle, and eating bland foods.

For constipation, changing the dietary pattern, increased intake of fiber and fluids, exercise, and laxatives may be done.

Diarrhea may be treated with medications, a bland diet, and rehydration drinks.

Nausea and vomiting may be treated with medications, eating small amounts of food and bland food.

Gut hormones can be improved by

• Taking help from healthcare professionals for regular checkups.

• Checking with a healthcare provider before taking any supplements.

• By doing regular exercises.

• Consuming a nutritious diet regularly.

• Taking advice from the physician regarding underlying medical conditions and family history of diabetes and thyroid issues.

Hormones can affect a variety of things in the body. This also has been linked to excess fat accumulation in the stomach called hormone belly.

Conclusion

Hormones are very important and have a role in regulating many functions of the body. Some hormones are linked to excess fat in the belly and its issues. Hence it is important to know about the hormonal belly, its causes, symptoms, and how hormones are linked to belly problems. Knowing helps to identify the issue early and seek help from a healthcare provider. Early diagnosis helps achieve effective treatment. This, in turn, help achieve a good quality of life.