Do Hormones Help With Menopause Weight Gain

Introduction:

Menopause is the natural period that every woman faces in life. It is the period in which the menstruation period comes to an end. It brings a lot of physical, emotional, and health changes. One of the changes is weight gain. Women going through menopause have increased body weight and a change in body composition. Hormones such as progesterone and estrogen regulate the physiological process in the body.

Decreased hormone levels can shift the body's stores and burn fat. The hormonal imbalance leads to the accumulation of body fat and a decrease in muscle mass, which are related to weight gain and increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. Hormone therapy is given to overcome the issues related to hormone changes and weight gain. In addition, lifestyle factors are vital in addressing weight gain and menopause. The article discusses the imbalance of hormones during menopause, leading to weight gain.

What Causes Menopause Weight Gain?

Several factors, such as hormonal changes, lifestyle influences, and metabolic factors, can cause weight gain in menopause. During menopause, the decrease in the levels of estrogen production causes changes in fat distribution and slower metabolism. The shift in the hormones can cause an increase in fat deposition or storage around the abdomen.

In addition, aging can also cause a decrease in metabolic rate and muscle mass. If the dietary habits of an individual are the same as before, with an increase in age, the muscle burns and more calories at rest are compared to fat, leading to weight gain. Lifestyle factors also cause weight gain. As the age of women increases, they become physically less active, leading to weight gain. Other factors, such as emotional factors, stress, and eating habits like overeating and unhealthy eating patterns, can cause weight gain.

How Do Hormonal Changes During Menopause Contribute to Weight Gain?

Hormonal changes during menopause, such as decreased estrogen production, can cause weight gain. The description of the mechanism of weight gain due to hormonal changes is as follows:

• Metabolic Rate: Estrogen hormone helps regulate body metabolism by using energy. The decrease in the levels of estrogen hormone slows down the metabolic rate. Only a few calories are burnt when the person is at rest. If the person's diet is the same as before, then there can be weight gain.

• Fat Distribution: The hormone help maintain fat distribution. Before menopause, an individual has more fat storage in the hips and thighs. As estrogen levels decrease, the fat may move toward the abdominal area. Abdominal fat is linked with an increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

• Appetite Regulation: The decrease in estrogen can lead to changes in appetite regulation. The women will eat more than they need. With time, this can lead to weight gain.

• Insulin Sensitivity: The change in estrogen level influences the insulin, causing insulin sensitivity. It results in weight gain and increases the threat of getting diabetes type 2.

• Lean Muscle Mass: The reduction in estrogen levels can cause a decrease in body metabolic rate and further increase weight.

What Are the Risks of Weight Gain After Menopause?

Weight gain after menopause can cause several risks, which are as follows:

• Increased cardiovascular risk.

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

• Osteoporosis.

• Breast cancer.

• Joint problems.

• Sleep disorder is linked with interrupted breathing during sleep.

• Chronic metabolic diseases such as heart disease and stroke.

What Are the Methods to Prevent Menopause Weight Gain?

Preventing weight gain during menopause can lead to healthy lifestyle practices. The effective preventive methods are as follows:

• Balanced Diet: Women should focus on a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and lean proteins. They should limit the consumption of sugary beverages, processed foods, and saturated and trans fats.

• Avoid Overeating: The person should avoid overeating. They should pay attention to hunger and fullness cues to prevent unnecessary eating.

• Regular Exercise: An individual should incorporate physical exercises such as walking, cycling, jogging, and swimming. These exercises will strengthen the muscles. They should do these exercises for at least 150 minutes per week.

• Strength Training: The person should do weightlifting, bodyweight, and resistance band exercises to maintain muscle mass that will help boost metabolism and decrease age-related muscle mass.

• Stress Management: Increased stress levels can lead to more eating or making unnecessary healthy food choices. An individual should practice stress reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises.

• Adequate Sleep: Take seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Poor or disrupted sleep can disrupt the hunger hormones, leading to weight gain.

• Hydration: The person should drink plenty of water throughout the day. Sometimes, limited water intake can be mistaken for hunger. This can cause unnecessary sugary fat food consumption.

• Regular Health Check-Ups: The person should regularly visit the healthcare provider for a health check-up and discuss menopause-related changes.

• Hormone Therapy: The therapy helps in managing menopause symptoms.

• Behavioral Counseling: The behavioral counselor or dietitian may provide behavioral counseling to support the person.

How Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Help to Lessen Weight Gain?

Hormone replacement therapy helps lessen weight gain during menopause, which is described below:

• Metabolic Regulation: Estrogen decrease causes weight elevation. Hormone replacement therapy makes an efficient metabolism and restores estrogen levels.

• Fat Distribution: The hormone helps maintain fat distribution. However, a decrease in this hormone can cause an accumulation of fat in the abdomen. Hormone replacement therapy can maintain the fat distribution.

• Appetite: Hormone replacement therapy regulates changes in hunger and fullness signals. It reduces the likelihood of excess food intake.

• Energy Levels: With hormone replacement therapy, the women experience high energy levels, encouraging them to do physical activity. Hence reducing weight gain.

Conclusion:

Hormonal imbalance during menopause can lead to weight gain because estrogen helps maintain muscle mass and encourages people to engage in physical activity. A decline in estrogen will decrease muscle mass, increase appetite, and slow the metabolic rate. People should adopt healthy lifestyle practices to maintain body weight. Lifestyle changes such as physical exercises, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, cycling, jogging, and swimming can maintain body weight.