Why am I gaining weight so fast during menopause?

Written by Benjamin Lee - Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Consultant - February 23, 2023

Why am I gaining weight so fast during menopause?

Menopause is a natural part of life for women that usually occurs in their fifties. It is the time when hormone production, mainly estrogen and progesterone, begins to decline. This can lead to a variety of symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and changes in weight. Weight gain during menopause is very common, but the rate at which it happens can vary from woman to woman.

So why does menopause cause such rapid weight gain for some women? There are several possible explanations:

• Body composition changes: As you get older, your body’s fat-to-muscle ratio shifts from muscle toward fat. This process is accelerated by menopause as hormone levels decrease.
• Slowed metabolism: Hormone fluctuations can slow down your metabolism and make it harder to burn calories.
• Subcutaneous storage of fluids: Fluid retention due to hormonal changes can add pounds on the scale even if your diet hasn't changed.
• Poor dietary choices: During this stressful period in a woman's life, it’s easy to reach for bad comfort foods that can pack on extra calories quickly.

Fortunately there are strategies you can take to combat weight gain due to menopause:

• Regular exercise: Exercise increases muscle mass and stimulates hormones that help regulate appetite and metabolism rates. Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity 3 times per week at minimum.
• Eating habits: Eating smaller meals more frequently helps keep blood sugar levels balanced and reduce cravings for “comfort food” snacks between meals or lunchtime binges on sugary or fatty items. Focus on whole grains, lean proteins, fruits & vegetables with each meal/snack (protein shake smoothies anyone?)
• Stress Reduction: Stress causes the body to release cortisol which slows down your metabolic rate resulting in an increase in stored fats & sugars in the body so its important to stay mindful about stress relief activities like yoga or meditating during this difficult time.

For those women who find themselves already overweight during menopause, extra care should be taken as increasing bodyweight can lead to further medical issues like diabetes or joint pain due to increased pressure put on cartilage cells over time from extra weight . In these cases, consulting a doctor or nutritionist may be advisable if simply exercising and healthy eating aren't producing desired results as they'll be able to tailor advice specifically for each woman's unique situation .

BHRT Pro Center specializes in comprehensive hormone replacement therapies tailored specifically for each patient's health needs; allowing them regain control over their lives and become happier, healthier versions of themselves without worry about uncomfortable hormone side effects like excessive weight gain ! Book an appointment today so we can help you get back into balance!

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