While many people think weight gain is a part of menopause or part of the transition there isn’t a change of weight directly related to the change in hormones but rather a change in the distribution of body fat.

Many women experience an expanding waistline due to increased fat storage in and around the internal organs. This change in body fat distribution is part of the reason why after menopause women have an increased risk of heart attacks.

Aging is also linked to fat gain which often gets misinterpreted as a symptom of menopause. Studies using HRT to alleviate menopause symptoms showed that while vasomotor symptoms subsided, fat gain was the same among all subjects including control subjects.

That suggests that fat and weight gain is not caused by menopause but is age related. Most likely brought on by loss of muscle mass and lower overall activity with aging.

Is this good news or bad news?

Well we cannot control the fact that our bodies are aging BUT we may not need to view menopause as the cause of ALL health concerns.

Menopause is the natural cessation of the menstrual cycle and refers to when menses have not been present for at least 12 months.

Average age is 52 years old.

During this period women may become susceptible to a host of physical and psychological symptoms as a result of the drop in the hormone estrogen.

Menopause may feel like a time where many women feel “out of control” of their body.

Symptoms can include:
Vasomotor instability- Hot flashes and sweating
Insomnia
Increased risk of osteoporosis
Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Urinary incontinence
Depression
Mood swings
Anxiety
Lack of motivation
Aggressiveness
Difficulty concentration