You've got to say, I think that if I keep working at this and want it badly enough I can have it. It's called perseverance. -- Lee Iacocca

You’ve probably noticed a few extra pounds around your mid-section area if you have started going through menopause. Don’t think you are alone, one of the main symptoms of menopause seems to be weight gain, as well as, an overall change in your body’s shape. There is definitely a connection between menopause and weight gain. There is usually an average weight increase of one pound per year during pre-menopause. The total poundage gain is about 10 to 15 pounds. Weight gain from menopause is commonly found in the abdominal area instead of the hips, thighs, and buttocks. Weight gained during menopause is also usually harder to lose. Studies have shown that approximately 90% of women will begin gaining weight between the age of 35 and 55.

What Causes Menopausal Weight Gain

The cause of menopausal weight gain is the change in your body's hormone levels such as:

1. Estrogen: Estrogen dramatically declines and causes your body to stop ovulating. The decline in estrogen seems to be a big factor in weight gain. Your body begins to look for estrogen in other places. Fat cells have been known to produce estrogen, so your body begins turning your calories into fat in order to increase estrogen levels. This is one of the main reasons women gain weight during menopause.

2. Progesterone: Progesterone regulates the water weight that we carry around in our bodies. This hormone has been seen to rapidly decline during menopause, which causes women to retain more water as they get older.

3. Testosterone: Testosterone is the hormone that facilitates the creation of lean muscle mass from the calories we consume. Testosterone hormone levels will drop during menopause, causing muscle loss, which, unfortunately results in lower metabolism and more weight gain.

4. Androgen: This is the hormone that is responsible for sending fat to your mid-section. The term for the weight gain during menopause is commonly referred to as "middle age spread" due to the rapid weight gain in the abdominal area. Actually, one of the number one signs of menopause is the increased production of androgen which results in the increase of belly fat.

Recommendations

If you are going through menopause, then you have probably started to notice a change in your body shape. You will be happy to know that you are not alone. There are many ways to help women combat the weight gain during menopause:

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This information is intended to heighten awareness of potential health care alternatives and should not be considered as medical advice. See your qualified health-care professional for medical attention, advice, diagnosis, and treatments. See our full disclaimer.