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The Truth On Menopause And Weight Gain
by: Nathalie Fiset,M.D.


The truth on menopause and weight gain

One of the major causes of weight gain in women is the
changes in their hormone levels and sedentarism. 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.

THE 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 exerciseregularly 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—a man’s or woman’s
appetite, metabolism, and fat storage are greatly affected.

UNVEILING THE REASONS BEHIND WEIGHT GAIN
DURING MENOPAUSE

Before sulking into a pit of depression, a woman must
know the reasons behind it so she can make the
necessary adjustments.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 satying active are powerful ways to
fight back.
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