Weight Gain Side Effects
 Women have to deal with many annoying symptoms as they approach menopause, one of the most frustrating being weight gain, which can happen for no apparent reason and be extremely difficult to get rid of. Weight gain can be both physically and emotionally debilitating, and be responsible for several problems including self-esteem and health issues linked to being obese or overweight. Rarely are women happy with putting on weight, but it is important to remember that although weight gain has side effects, it is normal and to be expected during menopause.
About 90% of menopausal women gain some weight between the ages of 35 and 55. Unfortunately, even though it is hormones that are responsible for the weight gain and not overeating, the body nevertheless is susceptible to the same weight gain side effects.
For more information on weight gain side effects as a result of menopause read over the following paragraphs outlined below.
What constitutes weight gain during menopause?
Quick Fact:
During menopause women often change from a pear shape to one more akin to an apple.
Weight gain refers to when a woman increases her body mass, which may come in the form of increased fat, muscle or fluid content. Weight gain as experienced by menopausal women is redirected to the mid-section of the body (unfortunately accumulating around the abdomen), when the average woman between 45 and 55 will put on between 10 to 15 pounds.
What are the causes of weight gain during menopause?
As the hormones decrease and prepare for a permanently lowered hormonal level, a woman going through menopause is more likely to put on weight. This is because hormones play various important roles in the body including weight gain.
What are the various roles of hormones in increasing weight?
Other causes of weight gain:
Insulin resistance Can occur during menopausal years a condition that can cause the body to mistakenly turn every calorie consumed into fat.
Stress is a contributing factor in weight gain during menopause. This is because stress hormones can prevent weight loss as they provoke the body into going into storage mode.
Estrogen As the body produces less estrogen leading into menopause, it attempts to stimulate the hormone in other areas of the body apart from the ovaries. Fat cells have the ability to produce estrogen, therefore the body starts to convert calories into fat in order to restore lowered estrogen levels.
Progesterone Water retention and subsequent bloating is caused by decreased progesterone levels suffered during menopause.
Androgen The increased amount of androgen hormone at the onset of menopause is responsible for transferring the new weight to the mid-section instead of the hips.
Testosterone As testosterone levels drop during menopause, fewer calories are transformed into lean muscle mass. As a consequence more fat builds up.
What are the side effects of weight gain in menopause?
Side effects of weight gain include increased risk of contracting the following diseases:
 Heart disease
Stroke
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Breathing problems
Arthritis
Gallbladder disease
Some kinds of cancer
What can be done to avoid weight gain in menopause?
The healthiest action for combating weight gain is to focus on lifestyle changes that will deal practically with the added weight. For example, a reasonable response to weight gain is to exercise more and eat healthier.
Tips for avoiding excessive weight gain in menopause:
Avoid crash diets eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables instead
Limit the intake of caffeine, nicotine and alcohol
Remain active
Combining changed lifestyle habits with alternative medicines has proven to be very effective. Herbal remedies will often work to restore the hormone levels which are causing the problems to begin with.
For more information on treatments for weight gain during menopause and detailed options for losing that weight follow the link above.
To learn more about Weight Gain  SOURCES:
• |
