Hormonal weight gain is a common issue that affects many of us, especially as we age. This type of weight gain can be challenging to manage, as it is often influenced by various hormonal imbalances. Hormones are produced by the endocrine system to help regulate processes that occur in the body, like hunger, blood pressure, movement and sexual desire. They are essential to reproduction and fundamental to all systems in the body. Hormones include adrenaline; insulin, cortisol and thyroid hormones but the ones that seem to be most notable when out of balance are the sex hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
The most noticeable, natural changes for the female body are during the onset of our reproductive years – puberty to when we leave this stage – menopause. It is at these stages that hormones are likely to affect us the most, physically, mentally and emotionally. The ‘mood swings’ experienced are caused by fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone levels and can cause anything from anxiety and fear to sadness, anger, irritability and poor concentration whilst we transition from one stage to another. However, as hormonal influences are so fundamental to the functioning of the human body, we can experience many other hormone fluctuations and conditions, often needing interventions to control or manage – like hormonal weight gain.
The thyroid makes hormones that tell the body how fast or slow to work. If it makes too many of these, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), we can feel like we are going at 100 miles an hour. You might be irritable, anxious, suffer from palpitations and have mood swings for example. When the body isn’t making enough of those hormones, (hypothyroidism), you may suffer depression, feel tired, suffer from muscle ache and hormonal weight gain. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is another hormonal disorder, which can cause bloating, fatigue, irritability, hair loss or excessive hair growth, mood swings, weight gain, problems with blood sugar, trouble concentrating and possible infertility. There are, in fact, so many hormonal disorders and conditions affecting the endocrine system that there would be too many to list, so this is where we move onto our best self-help measures to ease the discomfort and misery of hormonal fluctuations and disturbances.
Hormone Therapy and Weight Gain
Hormone therapy is often prescribed for conditions like menopause or hormonal deficiencies. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for example can provide significant relief from symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings, it can also disrupt the body’s natural balance. A link between hormone therapy and weight gain has been reported by a number of patients, however according to the latest studies including the NHS there’s little evidence to suggest that HRT causes weight gain. You may experience hormonal weight gain during the menopause and as you get older, but this often happens whether you take HRT or not. If you’re struggling with weight gain caused by menopause, why not speak with one of our specialist weight loss doctors or find out more about our menopause weight loss programme.
What Does Hormonal Belly Look Like
A “hormonal belly” is typically characterised by weight accumulation around the midsection. This type of belly fat is often stubborn and can be associated with conditions like insulin resistance or hormonal imbalances, such as low oestrogen or high cortisol levels. Identifying a hormonal belly can help in tailoring the right strategies to combat it.
Hormones That Can Cause Weight Gain
There are several hormones that can cause weight gain, these include:
- Oestrogen: Both too much and too little oestrogen can lead to weight gain.
- Testosterone: An imbalance in your testosterone levels can increase body fat.
- Cortisol: Often called the stress hormone, high cortisol levels can increase appetite and promote fat storage.
- Insulin: Imbalances in insulin can lead to increased fat storage, especially around the abdomen.
- Thyroid hormones: Low levels of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) can slow down metabolism, leading to weight gain.
Oestrogen and Weight Gain
Oestrogen plays a significant role in regulating body weight, which is why oestrogen and weight gain are often closely linked. When oestrogen levels drop, as they do during menopause, it can lead to increased fat storage and a slower metabolism. Understanding how to manage oestrogen levels is crucial in controlling weight gain. Losing weight gained due to oestrogen imbalances involves a combination of diet, exercise, and sometimes hormone therapy. Incorporating strength training and a balanced diet rich in fibre and low in refined sugars can help mitigate the effects of low oestrogen levels. Our specialised dietitian can help with expert diet advice.
Testosterone and Weight Gain
Low testosterone levels can lead to increased body fat and reduced muscle mass. For men, maintaining testosterone levels through exercise, diet, and sometimes hormone therapy can help in managing weight. For women, while testosterone is present in lower levels, it still plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle mass and metabolism. Low levels can contribute to weight gain and decreased energy. Understanding the relationship between testosterone and weight gain is important for both men and women to effectively manage their health and weight.
Speak to Our Specialised Weight Loss Doctors
As we have seen, hormones can significantly impact nearly all aspects of our health and well-being. However, with awareness and attention to our physical and emotional well-being, we can address, correct, or at least ease the symptoms of hormonal imbalance. If you’re concerned your hormones might be causing havoc, speak to our specialised weight loss doctors for expert advice on how to help balance your hormones out and address any hormonal weight gain you may be experiencing.