
Menopause Weight Gain
Menopause weight gain is normal part of aging most women begin to experience between the ages of forty-seven and fifty-two. Menopause is brought on by reduction of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. As the process progresses, a woman will eventually completely cease producing these hormones completely. Menopause brings with it many changes. Most women find they have difficulty concentrating on tasks they previously enjoyed. Many suffer terrible moods swings. Most endure potentially debilitating hot flashes and night sweats. Others endure regular joint pain and headaches. Many women complain of sleeping difficulties. However, one of the most dreaded menopause-related problems is weight gain. In recent years, there have been many scientific studies examining the link between menopause weight gain in an attempt to understand how woman can prevent this problem
One of the major causes of menopause weight gain is the changes in
their hormone levels and sedentary. Studies show that about 90 percent
of menopausal women experience weight gain between the ages 35 to 55.
This is not surprising because weight gain comes with the territory of
aging and menopausal.
Medical experts say that menopause occurs when a woman's ovaries has
stopped producing estrogen which is responsible for ovulation and
menstruation. Today, more and more women who are experiencing menopause
go through weight gain due to hormonal changes brought about by aging.
Experts explain that with aging, the muscles in the body start to
decrease in bulk along with the slowing of metabolism. This slowing down
of metabolism along with decrease in bulk of the body's muscles
contributes to weight gain. Aside from weight gain, menopause also leads
to loss of sexual appetite or loss of libido, vaginal atrophy, and
growth or loss of hair in the head and face. With all these demoralizing
truths, it is common that women who are experiencing menopause lose
self-confidence and esteem. But, it shouldn't stay that way. With the
help of science and modern researches, weight gain during menopausal
years can be solved.
Dealing with Menopause Weight Gain
Weight gain during menopause is as common as aging. Usually, women
sometimes gain about 10 to15 pounds starting from their abdomen, to the
hips, thighs, and rear. Studies show that weight gain on women usually
starts during their pre-menopausal years and will continue to pile up as
they grow older. For those who have experienced early menopausal due to
major operation or surgery, they are expected to gain weight faster
compared to those who haven't.
Because of the changes in their weight or size, many women are starting
to dread the thought of menopausal. It is recommended to exerciser
regularly and eat to one's appetite. Experts say that women should be
more aware when they are entering the stage of menopausal so they can
prepare for it. Physicians say that women should expect that as they
enter the early stages of menopause, they would have difficulty
maintaining their weight because of the fluctuation in their hormones.
Because of these natural hormonal changes that include estrogen,
testosterone, and androgen levels mans or woman's appetite, metabolism,
and fat storage are greatly affected.
The reasons Behind Menopause Weight Gain
Before sulking into a pit of depression, a woman must know the reasons behind menopause weight gain so she can make the necessary adjustments.
- Hormone deficiency and lack of female hormones that slows down
metabolism. Lack of estrogen leads to excessive weight gain because
it alters certain functions of the body and greatly influences fat
distribution in the body. You must understand estrogen and fat
distribution very well.
- Slow metabolism due to aging. As people grow older, their
metabolism starts to slow down. One effective way of reducing energy
intake, women who are experiencing menopause are recommended to have
a balanced diet composed of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
- Lack of exercise or physical activity. As women enter their
menopausal stage, they become more sedentary in almost everything
that they do. This inactive lifestyle leads them to weight gain
because they are not getting enough physical exercise they should
get. If muscle pains are giving a woman a hard time to do such
simple and regular exercises, she can try taking in vitamin and
mineral supplement to boost her energy levels that contain calcium,
magnesium, potassium, zinc, chromium and selenium.
- The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can also be a big
factor in gaining weight. Although HRT is known to help give back
lost female hormones, this treatment can also add up on the weight
she already has because it works. HRT has also been subject to
serious warnings in their use recently.
- Weight gain can also be traced in increased food intake due to emotional problems like depression. Emotional eating or overeating due to frustration over weight gain is also a big factor that contributes to excessive weight gain. Talking to friends and staying active are powerful ways to fight back.

