Is Menopause Causing Weight Gain?

Weight gain around the middle is another sign of changing hormones in women.

When estrogen levels begin to decrease during menopause, women often notice that they gain some weight, especially around the middle.

To add to this, as we get older, our metabolism slows down. This means that we tend to pick up weight even more easily. The problem is that gaining weight is about more than just appearance it is about health as well. When we gain weight during menopause, we are increasing our risk of developing serious health issues that can have devastating consequences.

How common is menopausal weight gain?

About 90% of menopausal women experience some amount of weight gain. Although weight gain is a natural and common aspect of getting older, there are ways to reduce it.

What are the risks of menopausal weight gain?

Weight gain during menopause entails more than just aesthetic concerns. Although no one enjoys looking in the mirror and seeing a softer, plumper body looking back, weight gain can lead to very serious health conditions that transcend visual displeasure. Several diseases and other conditions can spawn as a result of a body burdened with excess kilograms, like Heart Disease, Strokes, High Blood Pressure, Osteoarthritis, Breast Cancer, High Cholesterol, Kidney Disease, Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes. Women who gain in excess of 10 kilograms after menopause increase their breast cancer risk by nearly 20 percent, but those who lose 10 kilograms after menopause reduce their breast cancer risk by as much as 23 percent

What causes weight gain during menopause?

Age:

Beginning at about age 30, an individuals physical abilities begin to decrease and continue deteriorating until about age 60 or 70. The bodys abilities then level off and decline at a slower rate. The rate of decline depends largely on an individuals physical activity and particular lifestyle. This decreasing physical ability affects weight because a person becomes less able to engage in physical activities that help to maintain a stable weight by burning calories. To compound the potential for weight gain with age, the metabolic rate begins to slow after age 30, which also leads to weight gain.

Hypothyroidism:

Although this is actually very uncommon, and very over-diagnosed, it does sometimes happen. Women with an underactive thyroid often experience weight gain because their metabolic rate slows down as a result of the condition. In some cases, hyperthyroidism can also cause weight gain, but that is rare. Thyroid hormones essentially regulate calorie consumption in the body. With an underactive thyroid, fewer calories are burned and converted into energy. Instead, they are stored in the body.

Hormones:

The main reason for weight gain during menopause is the change in the different hormones. A woman’s hormones have complex functions in her body, including weight control. Here a list of the different hormones that can affect weight gain and how:

- - Estrogen:

As a woman’s ovaries produce less estrogen, her body attempts to find the hormone in places other than the ovaries. Fat cells can produce estrogen, so her body works harder to convert calories into fat to increase estrogen levels. Unfortunately, fat cells don’t burn calories the way muscle cells do, which causes weight gain.

- - Progesterone:

Water retention is often linked to menopause because water weight and bloating are caused by decreased progesterone levels. Though this doesn’t actually result in weight gain, clothes can feel a bit tighter and a woman may feel as though she is heavier.

- - Androgen:

The amount of this hormone increases at the onset of menopause and it is responsible for sending new weight to the mid-section instead of to the hips, which many women are accustomed to. Some women even have a nickname for the menopause years based on the mid-section weight gain: the middle-age spread.

- - Testosterone:

Testosterone helps a woman’s body create lean muscle mass out of the calories consumed. Muscle cells burn more calories than fat cells do, increasing metabolic rate. As testosterone levels drop, fewer calories are transformed into lean muscle mass, thus a woman’s metabolism winds down.

How do I balance hormones and prevent weight gain during menopause?

It is actually easier than you think. A few simple lifestyle changes can make a world of difference. Let’s have a look…

Eating Healthy:

This does not mean you have to eat salad 3 times a day. It is all about following a balanced, healthy eating plan that is sustainable in the long run. A great example of such an eating plan is the Manna Diet which is available as a FREE downloadable eBook.

Exercising:

There are countless different exercise routines. And everybody prefers a different one. The main thing is to find an exercise that you enjoy so that you dont quit after the first week. So whether you like to go to the gym, cycle, swim, or hike make sure to get active for at least 30 minutes, 4 times a week.

Use Manna Menopause Support:

The Manna Menopause Support was formulated with the correct balance of phytoestrogens and vitamins to help increase estrogen levels the natural way. The increase of estrogens can help to conquer menopausal hot flashes.
Using it along with the right dietary choices and exercise routine can help you take menopause and turn it into a great lifestyle-changing opportunity! Natural supplements, like the Manna Menopause Support, can be a safe and effective treatment option, because it does not have the threat of cancer risk like hormone replacement therapies.

The Manna Menopause Support was formulated with phytoestrogens, soy isoflavones, calcium, and vitamin D to help curb menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, mood swings, and night sweats.

Manna Menopause Support helps to:

- - Relief hot flushes, leaving you feeling less sweaty
  - Balance mood fluctuation
  - Increase energy levels, helping you get through the day easier
  - Increase Libido
  - Reverse vaginal dryness
  - Deeper Sleep
  - Improve memory and brain function
  - Helps to manage stress
  - Help increase stamina
  - Helps reduce osteoporosis