Can Hormone Therapy For Menopause Prevent Weight Gain?
Menopause is a critical period in every woman’s life where the female reproductive hormone levels in the body drastically drop. The drastic drop consequentially causes body changes, including hot flushes, reduced number and frequency of the menstrual cycle, and weight gain.
What Causes Weight Gain?
Weight gain occurs due to the drastic drop in estrogen hormone, the hormone responsible for fat distribution in a female body. The weight gain is characterized by an increase in body mass index and the shoulder to waist ratio. It is common for menopausal women to gain a bit of belly fat and weight along the waist area. The weight gain cannot be attributed to diet; instead, it is due to a drastic drop in estrogen levels.
Another reason for weight gain is increased appetite, especially for fatty and unhealthy food. The latter is due to reduced sensitivity to leptin because of increased neuropeptide Y hormone production. Leptin is a satiety hormone that tells the hypothalamus when the body is full. Note that the waist weight gain is accompanied by muscle loss.
Other Roles of Estrogen
Estrogen is involved in regulating inflammation and pain. Estrogen is also involved in regulating body temperature and blood sugar levels. The latter explains why menopausal women are at a higher propensity of developing hypertension and diabetes.
Hormone Replacement Therapy and Preventing Weight Gain
Hormone replacement therapy involves supplement female hormone production using bioidentical hormone therapy. For menopausal women who experience intense menopausal symptoms, hormone replacement therapy is advocated to help mitigate these symptoms. Although weight gain is not classified as severe menopausal symptoms, drastic weight gain can be associated with depressive symptoms, thus necessitating the need for hormone replacement.
Note that hormone replacement therapy can prevent weight gain if it is initiated early. On its own, hormone therapy cannot eliminate an already established pot belly. However, when combined with consistent exercise, belly fat will reduce tremendously. The latter was according to a study conducted in Switzerland, where over 1000 women were selected. The rate of visceral fat production was compared among women on hormone replacement therapy and those who were not. The results indicated that hormone therapy prevented the belly fat weight gain seen in women aged over time.
Therefore, according to Harley Institute, better results are seen when hormone therapy is started earlier. Additionally, hormone therapy aids in reducing appetite, consequentially reducing weight. Also, the Harley Institute noted a rebound weight gain once hormone replacement therapy stops. The latter means that the prevention of weight gain is only feasible when one is on hormone therapy. Thus, for a more long-term approach, physicians at Harley Institute advocate for a dietary and exercise approach. Studies have also revealed that reduced weight gain is also linked to hot flushes and night sweats.
Why Choose Harley Institute?
Harley Institute is a state-of-the-art accredited institute that is well-versed in matters concerning hormone replacement therapy. For more information on menopause and how to prevent weight gain, feel free to contact Harley Institute by visiting their offices or visiting their website.
