For most women, gaining weight can affect their happiness, self-esteem, self-image, and health. High blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and depression can be linked to weight gain. Menopause and weight gain are often thought to go hand in hand.
Because the symptoms associated with menopause and perimenopause, such as night sweats, hot flashes, insomnia, and mood fluctuations can cause discomfort and anxiety, weight loss may be a further challenge for women who are dealing with the changes in their biological process.
It is estimated that about 30 percent of women between the ages of 50 and 59 have excess body weight. Some of the reasons for weight gain in those years include:
- Estrogen depletion – as estrogen levels naturally decrease with age, the metabolism may slow down. A lower metabolic rate causes the body to convert less stored energy into working energy. The loss of estrogen may also make it harder for the body to effectively use starches and sugar, which can cause increased fat.
- Other factors that can influence weight gain in women in their menopause years include a decrease in physical exercise and a loss of muscle mass.
There is hope, however, for menopausal women who wish to achieve weight loss. One obvious strategy is to maintain an active exercise routine. In addition to helping women maintain a healthy weight, exercise during menopause can also have other benefits, such as:
- Improved mood
- Stress reduction
- Enhanced physical and emotional health
- Insulin resistance
- Stronger muscles and joints
- Improved digestion
- Prevention or risk reduction for certain health conditions such as heart attack, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis
In certain instances, exercise alone may not be enough to counter the effects of menopause and estrogen reduction on a woman’s weight. At the advanced medical practice of Tomeka Roberts, MD, PC, Obstetrics and Gynecology in Birmingham, AL, our professional team specialize is all aspects of women’s health, including gynecology, obstetrics, weight management, and hormone replacement therapy.
Hormone Replacement Therapy involves the augmentation of the hormones that are lost during menopause. Treatment may involve estrogen-only replacement (ET) or a combination of estrogen and progesterone replacement (EPT). Some of the benefits of HRT may include weight loss, menopause symptom management, and reduced risk for osteoporosis and heart disease.
To determine if a patient is an ideal candidate for hormone replacement therapy, a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Roberts may be scheduled online or by calling our professional team at 205-518-9800 today.