Not only hormones, this causes weight gain after menopause

Every woman will face different changes after experiencing menopause. In some women, the changes after menopause include sudden weight gain. These changes are allegedly related to hormonal conditions, age, lifestyle, and genetics. So, what is the cause?

Causes of weight gain after menopause

In general, there are two factors that cause weight gain after menopause. These factors are as follows:

1. Hormonal changes

As we get older, the production of the hormone progesterone decreases. Meanwhile, the amount of the hormone estrogen increases rapidly.

This condition occurs due to disruption of the signals between the ovaries and glands in the brain that regulate the release of reproductive hormones.

Once menopause approaches, menstrual cycles begin to become irregular. Egg production becomes less.

Estrogen that was high has now decreased because the ovaries are no longer producing as much as they used to. This is what is thought to be the cause of weight gain after menopause.

The first is that low estrogen can lower the metabolic rate. This means that there are more calories stored in the body than are burned. Excess calories can turn into fat.

Second, low estrogen can reduce the effectiveness of the body in metabolizing blood sugar into energy.

Just like calories, excess glucose can also increase fat storage in the body. Referring to research contained in Obesity Reviews, this condition occurs mainly in the stomach.

Third, the results of animal studies as quoted from WebMD showed that animals with low amounts of estrogen tended to eat more food and were less active.

The combination of these three conditions ultimately causes weight gain.

2. Factors other than hormones

Despite the profound effect, changes in the amount of estrogen are not the only factors that cause weight gain after menopause.

Often times, weight gain is due to factors such as the following:

Reduced muscle mass

With age, muscle mass decreases, while fat increases. This condition makes it more difficult for women who have passed menopause to maintain their weight.

Heredity

If you have relatives or parents who are obese, you are likely to have the same condition.

Lack of sleep

Menopause symptoms can interfere with rest, and even cut sleep hours. Lack of sleep can affect your metabolism and lead to weight gain.

Lack of movement

Women at menopause no longer have much energy to exercise. Lack of exercise habits when you were young can also make you reluctant to exercise when you are older.

As a result, your body doesn't burn enough calories, so you gain weight after menopause.

Unhealthy eating patterns

An unhealthy diet from a young age will last for a long time if not corrected. The impact is being overweight, obesity, and gaining weight after going through the productive period.

Menopause will present its own challenges, both physically and emotionally. A collection of symptoms, cessation of menstruation, and weight gain after menopause certainly have an impact that cannot be underestimated.

Even though it is difficult to avoid, you can minimize the impact by eating a balanced nutritious diet, exercising, and getting enough rest.

These good habits will also help you deal with the changes that occur during and after menopause.

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