Understanding Your Menopausal Weight Gain: The Battle Between Estrogen and Cortisol

By now you probably know that menopause is a reactive circle of hormonal imbalance. Estrogen starts to decline, and it sets off a domino effect of changes that can affect every system in your body. But that’s not the big picture; to understand more about menopause and weight gain, it’s better to take a look at it up close.

You’ve probably heard of the roles that estrogen, testosterone and progesterone play in menopausal breakdowns. But there’s a fourth hormone—cortisol—that shows up in certain situations. Put simply, when estrogen is present, it can put a cap on the amount of cortisol your body produces, thus controlling its effects.

What happens when I don’t have enough estrogen?

A decline in estrogen during menopause gives this “stress hormone” more control over your body’s systems. High cortisol levels throw your body into a constant state of stress. Although you may not feel it emotionally, physically your organs are operating as if you’re in a high-speed car chase—all the time.

How is cortisol related to weight gain?

Cortisol is responsible for much of the menopausal weight gain that women can expect to experience in their 40s and 50s. When the hormone prepares the body for a stressful situation, it often signals the breakdown of fatty tissue to release the energy that we need to act in such situations. However, when the trigger of stress disappears, cortisol hangs around and attempts to put everything back into place.

One way it does this is by increasing your appetite to replace the calories that your body thought it would burn in the stressful situation. Even if you never left your work desk or you’re just sitting in traffic, you want to eat everything in sight because your body is in a state of stress.

The problem with this process is that your estrogen isn’t there to put your cortisol back in check; your body begins to think that high speed car chase will never end. This can lead to a constant urge to eat, especially salty and sweet foods.

How can I stop weight gain during menopause?

So there you have it—two reasons your midsection is expanding during menopause. The best way to beat this vicious cycle is by balancing your diet, exercising regularly, and naturally increasing your estrogen. For example, there are certain foods you can eat that contain phytoestrogen (estrogen derived from plants) as well as herbal supplements. Both of these methods can help you achieve a hormonal balance during menopause.

More Information about Weight Gain during Menopause:

Menopausal weight gain can lead to other problems, such as heart disease, sleep apnea and an increased risk of cancer. Click the following link to find out more about weight gain treatments.

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