Weight gain and Menopause in Women

Is there a link between weight gain and menopause? The answer is yes—and it’s more common than you think.

Many women, despite following healthy diets and maintaining regular exercise routines, suddenly find themselves gaining weight around the time of menopause. This transition can be emotionally frustrating and physically challenging, especially when no amount of effort seems to reverse the changes.

We encountered a similar case with Ravina, a 49-year-old patient, who visited our clinic with concerns about an unexplained 8 kg weight gain. Despite her disciplined lifestyle and consistent workout routine, the extra weight wouldn’t budge. After a complete evaluation, we found the culprit: menopause-related hormonal shifts.

How Menopause Affects Weight Gain – Insights from Medical Experts

Menopause is a natural biological transition, but it often brings with it several metabolic and hormonal changes that can contribute to weight gain. However, not every woman will gain weight during menopause. Factors such as genetics, age, physical activity, and eating habits play a significant role.

Women entering their 40s or 50s or those experiencing perimenopause (early menopause) may start to see fat accumulating around the abdomen, hips, and thighs. This is because the body's production of estrogen drops, which can influence how fat is distributed and stored. However, hormonal changes alone aren't the only reason for the increased weight.

According to research published in the Journal of Mid-Life Health, the slowing down of metabolism with age, along with reduced muscle mass, plays a major role. The body burns fewer calories at rest, making it easier to gain weight, even if your eating habits remain the same.

Moreover, many women experience increased stress, poor sleep, or emotional eating during this transition, which further exacerbates weight challenges.

Also Read: Causes of Obesity

How Hormonal and Genetic Changes Contribute to Menopausal Weight Gain

The hormone, estrogen, maintains the body weight in women. When there is lower quantity of estrogen in your body, you tend to consume more and are physically less active. The reduction in estrogen also leads to low metabolism. The lack of estrogen also makes it difficult to use up starch and glucose efficiently. As you age, the mass of your muscles lessens while the fat amplifies. Since the muscle mass is reducing, your body cannot use up the calories as it was used to previously, and this makes it difficult to control your weight. A sedentary lifestyle with constant stress also results in changing your eating patterns and this can contribute to your weight gain during menopause.

Genetic factor may also play a role in weight gain before/during menopause years. Example – if your mother carries extra weight around the abdomen, you’re likely to do the same.

Also Read: Early menopause: At What Age Does It Start? What are the symptoms?

Effective Lifestyle and Homeopathic Solutions for Menopausal Weight Gain

While you cannot stop menopause from occurring, you could be proactive and adapt measures to not let the menopausal process take over your overall health. Firstly, make sure that you exercise daily. It does not have to be vigorous exercise. It is adequate to do moderate aerobic activity like walking for about 30 minutes every day to make sure that your waistline is not spreading beyond your jeans size. Jog or walk in a park, absorbing the nature around you and de-stress yourself, making the act pleasurable rather than monotonous.

Secondly, you can take help of homeopathy for obesity and menopausal complaints. Homeopathy for menopause treatment and obesity pays the greatest attention to the precise symptom-picture and personality portrait of each individual. In order to treat, homeopathy evaluates every woman’s likes and dislikes, emotional and psychological patterns, sensibilities and sensitivities.

Also Read: Menopause Treatment in Homeopathy

Comprehensive Care and Support for Managing Menopause and Weight Gain

Along with obesity and menopause treatment in homeopathy, stick to weight-control basics i.e. – keep moving, check your sweet craving, eat healthy and fresh foods. Most importantly, seek help whenever required instead of suffering alone. At Dr Batra’s, we have expert doctors, dieticians and nutritionists; ready to help and guide you to treat all your menopausal complaints, including weight gain, hot flashes, mood swings, irritability and insomnia.

Key Takeaways

• Menopause can lead to weight gain, but it isn't the only cause; aging, lifestyle, and genetics also play roles.
• Lower estrogen levels during menopause can increase appetite, reduce physical activity, and slow metabolism.
• Muscle mass decreases with age, making it harder to burn calories and manage weight.
• Regular moderate exercise, like walking, can help control weight and reduce stress during menopause.
• Homeopathy and professional guidance can support managing menopause symptoms and weight gain.

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