Hormonal weight gain is a common issue that many people face, particularly women. Understanding what hormonal weight gain looks like can help individuals recognize the symptoms and take steps to address it.
What Does Hormonal Weight Gain Look Like?
If you don’t have time to exercise for hours, use these 15-minute workouts to burn as many as 15 pounds of fat. Alternatively, you can drink this hormone-balancing green juice. Often called the “hunger hormone,” ghrelin is produced in the gastrointestinal tract.
Certain mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, also can affect hormone levels, specifically estrogen, the female sex hormone. Blood glucose levels also tend to increase in these instances, explains Bohnegel. You can lower your risk of many of these health conditions through lifestyle changes ‘ especially by maintaining a healthy body weight.
Physical Symptoms:
Additionally, medical conditions ‘ including polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, and diabetes ‘ may also lead to hormonal dysregulation and influence body weight (34, 35). Altered levels of thyroid hormones, insulin, cortisol, and other hormones may influence body weight and fat distribution. Wild sugar cravings, sudden weight gain, and lack of focus could all indicate insulin issues. There are natural ways to lower insulin, but it’s also a concern you should bring up with your doctor.
Weight gain is a common complaint among women who reach menopause. Making healthful diet and lifestyle changes are the best way to manage weight gain. Women should keep track of their menstrual periods, including when they begin and end, and any other symptoms or problems that they are experiencing.
Discover chatbot and learn more on evaluating symptoms of menopause and other conditions that can cause hair loss. Sex hormones (especially estrogen) affect the microflora in the gut, which alters GI tract functioning. This can lead to bowel discomfort, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, and nausea before or during menses. The menstrual cycle comprises two processes that interact and overlap ‘ one happening in the ovaries and one in the uterus. The brain, ovaries, and uterus work together and communicate through gut hormones.
PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). Your healthcare provider can treat PCOS based on your symptoms and if you wish to become pregnant. In this classical study, only a few of the inmates were able to readily gain weight during 10 weeks of overfeeding, and most had a hard time forcing themselves into a fatter state [50,51]. Similar variance has been observed in other, less extreme overfeeding studies [52’54], and twin studies indicate that this is partly due to genetic factors [55,56]. In very distinct cases, this difference can be captured by the terms ‘easy’ and ‘hard’ gainers [53].
- Increased Belly Fat: Hormonal imbalances can lead to fat accumulation in the abdominal area.
- Swollen or Puffy Face: Hormonal changes can cause fluid retention, leading to facial bloating.
- Breast Tenderness: Hormonal fluctuations can result in breast swelling and tenderness.
- Irregular Menstrual Cycles: Hormonal imbalances can disrupt the menstrual cycle, leading to irregular periods.
Emotional Symptoms:
- Mood Swings: Hormonal changes can affect neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to mood swings and irritability.
- Anxiety and Depression: Hormonal imbalances can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression.
FAQs about Hormonal Weight Gain
Q: Can hormonal weight gain be reversed?
A: Yes, hormonal weight gain can be managed through lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and stress management.
Q: Is hormonal weight gain permanent?
A: Hormonal weight gain can be temporary if the underlying hormonal imbalance is addressed and managed effectively.
By understanding the signs and symptoms of hormonal weight gain, individuals can take proactive steps to address the issue and achieve their health goals.
