Effects of estrogen on weight gain and menopause

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Low estrogen levels can decrease metabolic rate, which is the rate at which the body converts stored energy into active energy. Lack of estrogen can also make the body use starch and blood sugar less efficiently, causing the body to store more fat so it will be difficult to lose weight, especially around the time of menopause. .

1. What is estrogen?

Estrogen is one of the two main female sex hormones and is involved in the onset of puberty and the menstrual cycle. It also has many other essential functions such as:
Helps control blood cholesterol levels Promotes bone health Protects the brain and maintains a stable mood The ovaries are two small glands in the lower pelvis that are mainly responsible for responsible for estrogen production. The adrenal glands and adipose tissue also produce estrogen, but in relatively small amounts.
There are three main types of estrogen:
Estrone or E1 is a hormone the body makes after menopause. Estradiol or E2 is a hormone commonly found in women of childbearing age Estriol or E3 is a hormone the body makes during pregnancy.

2. Signs of low estrogen

Low estrogen symptoms often include signs like:
Irregular periods Hot flashes Night sweats Insomnia Vaginal dryness Decreased sex drive Mood and irritable mood Headaches Dry skin Women If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor for advice. Your doctor may perform a few tests, such as a simple blood test, to measure estrogen levels and determine if an imbalance of estrogen is to blame.
Women should keep an eye on their menstrual cycle, both at the beginning and at its end, along with any abnormalities or other problems. This information will help your doctor accurately diagnose potential factors that lead to hormonal imbalances.

3. The link between menopause, estrogen and weight

Estrogen levels can be low in women for a variety of reasons. And the most common reason is going through menopause. This is the time when a woman's reproductive hormones drop and menstruation stops completely. Many women find that they can gain weight more easily during this time.
Some of the reasons why people may gain weight during menopause are changes in hormone levels. A form of estrogen called estradiol decreases with menopause. This hormone helps regulate metabolism and body weight. Lower estradiol levels can lead to weight gain.
Throughout life, women may notice their weight gain appearing in places like around the hips and thighs. However, after menopause, women tend to gain extra weight in other areas such as around the waist and abdomen.
This type of fat is visceral fat that tends to accumulate in the abdomen and surrounding organs. Visceral fat can be very dangerous because it is linked to a number of medical problems such as: diabetes, stroke, heart disease, cancer. Along with changes in estrogen levels, older women may tend to be less active and have less muscle mass. That means they burn fewer calories for the day. These factors can all increase a woman's risk of weight gain during menopause.
Age-related factors play a more important role in weight gain than changes in estrogen levels. Several review studies have concluded that weight gain is unlikely to be affected by the hormonal changes associated with menopause.

4. Other reasons for imbalanced estrogen levels

Menopause is not the only reason women may have low estrogen levels. In addition, there are several other potential causes of this imbalance:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in women with many small cysts. on the ovaries, as well as some hormonal imbalance problems. They may have high testosterone levels and an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. Women with this condition tend to have problems with weight gain, insulin resistance, and heart disease.
Lactation period: Postpartum women's estrogen levels are low and during this time the woman is breastfeeding. Hormonal changes help stimulate milk production and prevent ovulation.
Ovarian ablation: Women who have had both ovaries surgically removed will experience sudden menopause. When that happens, there will be no longer the release or production of estrogen and progesterone.
Anorexia: Anorexia is a serious eating disorder. At that time, the body will not be loaded with enough calories. This deficiency causes the body to go into starvation mode and reduces the amount of estrogen the body can produce.
High-intensity exercise: High-intensity or strenuous exercise has been shown to reduce estrogen production due to low body fat.

5. Some weight management measures

Maintain a healthy weight, even if it is related to an estrogen imbalance, by eating a healthy diet and staying physically active.
Some notes for a healthy diet to help manage weight:
Avoid eating processed foods Stay away from foods like soda, juice, alcohol Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables every day Drink enough water as needed to help balance water in the body. Eat whole grains and lean protein along with beneficial fats such as unsaturated fats, plant-based fats... Physical activity is also extremely important for weight management. In addition to regular practice of cardiovascular-related activities such as jogging, swimming, walking, ... should add intense exercises to help build muscle and promote bone growth be healthy.
In summary, weight gain is a common factor in women reaching menopause. To manage a woman's weight at this stage requires a healthy diet and lifestyle changes.
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Examination and consultation with a gynecologist Perform tests to assess hormonal status For examination and treatment at Vinmec, please come directly to Vinmec medical system or register online HERE.
Reference source: webmd.com; medicalnewstoday.com