Why Perimenopause & Menopause Cause Weight Gain…

Why does shedding weight during menopause feel like an uphill battle? It's a common frustration among women entering this stage of life, as the sudden onset of weight gain can seem insurmountable.

Here's the truth: Menopause weight loss presents real challenges. But it's not an unattainable goal.

Let's delve into the hormonal shifts occurring during perimenopause and menopause that may be thwarting your efforts.

Here's the breakdown:

Your hormones play a pivotal role in regulating various metabolic functions, including glucose metabolism, fat distribution, and lipid profiles. During perimenopause and menopause, these hormone levels fluctuate, disrupting your body's metabolic equilibrium.

In essence, before menopause, your hormones aid in regulating your metabolic processes.

Estrogen’s Role:

During perimenopause and menopause, estrogen levels decline, triggering significant changes in your body's functioning.

The decrease in estrogen, which previously played a crucial role in glucose metabolism, can lead to heightened insulin resistance. This resistance impedes the uptake of glucose by cells, potentially resulting in elevated blood glucose levels and subsequent weight gain.

Furthermore, the decline in estrogen creates an opportunity for testosterone to rise and exert influence over hormonal balance. This shift often prompts a notable alteration in fat distribution. Whereas pre-menopause tended to prioritise fat storage in the hips and thighs in preparation for potential childbirth, post-perimenopause and menopause may usher in an androgenic pattern of fat storage, favoring accumulation in the abdominal region.

This shift not only manifests as the dreaded "menopause tummy" but also elevates the risk of osteoporosis. Estrogen's role in calcium metabolism and bone density regulation becomes diminished, heightening susceptibility to bone health issues.

Progesterone’s Role:

Before menopause, progesterone collaborates with estrogen to regulate the menstrual cycle and exerts influence on metabolism by promoting fat storage.

However, during perimenopause and menopause, progesterone levels plummet significantly. This decline occurs because the body produces substantial amounts of progesterone only following ovulation and then due to irregular ovulation becoming common in perimenopause, there's a rapid reduction in circulating progesterone.

This drastic decrease in progesterone levels contributes to many of the challenging symptoms associated with menopause, including mood swings, hot flashes, and fluctuations in energy levels.

Notably, these energy fluctuations can profoundly impact weight. Reduced energy levels and fluctuating moods often lead to decreased physical activity and a greater inclination toward comfort eating. This combination creates a fertile environment for menopausal weight gain, particularly in the abdominal region.

Thyroid Function:

Yet another factor contributing to weight gain during menopause is the increased likelihood of thyroid dysfunction.

The thyroid plays a pivotal role in regulating metabolism, with its hormones governing the basal metabolic rate (BMR) – the fundamental calorie requirement for bodily functions.

Regrettably, during perimenopause and menopause, thyroid hormone levels may fluctuate. This fluctuation is partly attributable to changes in estrogen and progesterone levels, which interact with thyroid hormones.

Particularly, diminished progesterone levels can exacerbate thyroid issues. Progesterone typically declines earliest in perimenopause, sometimes as early as age 35.

When the thyroid isn't functioning optimally, it can affect the BMR, leading to weight gain. Additionally, fatigue often accompanies thyroid dysfunction, further reducing activity levels and diminishing the inclination for exercise – both of which contribute to menopausal weight gain.

Moreover, impaired thyroid function increases the risk of conditions like hypothyroidism, a significant driver of weight gain during menopause.

Insulin:

When you consume food, your body breaks it down into glucose, which serves as a primary energy source for your cells. Insulin plays a crucial role in facilitating the utilisation of glucose by your cells for energy. Additionally, it assists in the storage of glycogen in your liver and muscles, serving as a backup energy reserve for your body. Insulin acts as the primary hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels.

Moreover, insulin plays a role in lipid synthesis, promoting the creation of fats, while simultaneously inhibiting fat breakdown. This mechanism ultimately facilitates fat storage in the body.

As you transition into perimenopause and menopause, you may experience an increased likelihood of developing insulin resistance. Reduced estrogen levels and diminished energy levels both contribute to this resistance. Consequently, controlling blood sugar levels becomes more challenging. Given that insulin promotes fat storage, this insulin resistance becomes a significant factor contributing to weight gain during menopause.

Cortisol:

Cortisol serves as another pivotal hormone in metabolism. It aids in the breakdown of proteins and fats, regulates blood glucose levels, and possesses anti-inflammatory properties, provided it remains at optimal levels and is not disrupted by chronic stress.

Playing a central role in the body's stress response, cortisol also influences energy levels. Abnormal levels of cortisol, whether excessively high or low, can result in fatigue.

Produced by the adrenal glands, cortisol production competes with the synthesis of sex hormones. This dynamic can pose challenges for menopausal individuals, who rely on these hormones for various bodily functions.

Excessive cortisol production may heighten appetite and trigger cravings. Furthermore, elevated cortisol levels can lead to increased blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, thereby promoting fat storage, as discussed earlier, due to insulin's role as a fat storage hormone.

Leptin & Ghrelin:

Your hunger hormones play crucial roles in regulating your appetite. Leptin signals satiety, indicating when you're full and helping maintain energy balance by curbing hunger. On the other hand, ghrelin stimulates appetite and encourages the storage of fat.

Working in tandem, these hormones impact hunger levels, food intake, and energy storage within your body.

Unfortunately, during menopause, fluctuations in leptin and ghrelin levels can occur. Moreover, disruptions in sleep, common during menopause, can further affect these hormones.

This dynamic duo can leave you feeling hungrier and less satisfied, potentially leading to overeating and subsequent weight gain.

Weight loss poses a particular challenge for women experiencing menopause. Understanding how your hormones influence your metabolism sheds light on why shedding pounds can be such a struggle during this phase.

However, it's important to emphasise that while it may be challenging, it's not impossible to overcome the infamous "menopause belly."