|
|
The True on Menopause And Weight Gain
One of the major causes of weight gain in women is the changes
in their hormone levels and sedentarism. Studies show that about
90 percent of menopausal women experience weight gain between
the ages 35 to 55. This is not surprising because weight gain
comes with the territory of aging and menopausal.
Medical experts say that menopause occurs when a woman’s ovaries
has stopped producing estrogen which is responsible for
ovulation and menstruation. Today, more and more women who are
experiencing menopause go through weight gain due to hormonal
changes brought about by aging. Experts explain that with aging,
the muscles in the body start to decrease in bulk along with the
slowing of metabolism. This slowing down of metabolism along
with decrease in bulk of the body’s muscles contributes to
weight gain. Aside from weight gain, menopause also leads to
loss of sexual appetite or loss of libido, vaginal atrophy, and
growth or loss of hair in the head and face. With all these
demoralizing truths, it is common that women who are
experiencing menopause lose self-confidence and esteem. But, it
shouldn’t stay that way. With the help of science and modern
researches, weight gain during menopausal years can be solved.
THE WEIGHT GAIN
Weight gain during menopause is as
common as aging. Usually, women sometimes gain about 10 to15
pounds starting from their abdomen, to the hips, thighs, and
rear. Studies show that weight gain on women usually starts
during their pre-menopausal years and will continue to pile up
as they grow older. For those who have experienced early
menopausal due to major operation or surgery, they are expected
to gain weight faster compared to those who haven’t.
Because of the changes in their weight or size, many women are
starting to dread the thought of menopausal. It is recommended
to exercise regularly and eat to one's appetite. Experts say that
women should be more aware when they are entering the stage of
menopausal so they can prepare for it. Physicians say that women
should expect that as they enter the early stages of menopause,
they would have difficulty maintaining their weight because of
the fluctuation in their hormones. Because of these natural
hormonal changes—that include estrogen, testosterone, and
androgen levels—a man’s or woman’s appetite, metabolism, and fat
storage are greatly affected.
UNVEILING THE REASONS BEHIND WEIGHT
GAIN DURING MENOPAUSE
Before sulking into a pit of depression, a woman must know the
reasons behind it so she can make the necessary adjustments.
1. Hormone deficiency and lack of female hormones that slows
down metabolism. Lack of estrogen leads to excessive weight gain
because it alters certain functions of the body and greatly
influences fat distribution in the body. You must understand
estrogen and fat distribution very well.
2. Slow metabolism due to aging. As people grow older, their
metabolism starts to slow down. One effective way of reducing
energy intake, women who are experiencing menopause are
recommended to have a balanced diet composed of whole grains,
fruits and vegetables.
3. Lack of exercise or physical activity. As women enter their
menopausal stage, they become more sedentary in almost
everything that they do. This inactive lifestyle leads them to
weight gain because they are not getting enough physical
exercise they should get. If muscle pains are giving a woman a
hard time to do such simple and regular exercises, she can try
taking in vitamin and mineral supplement to boost her energy
levels that contain calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc,
chromium and selenium.
4. The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can also be a
big factor in gaining weight. Although HRT is known to help give
back lost female hormones, this treatment can also add up on the
weight she already has because it works. HRT has also been
subject to serious warnings in their use recently.
5. Weight gain can also be traced in increased food intake due
to emotional problems like depression. Emotional eating or
overeating due to frustration over weight gain is also a big
factor that contributes to excessive weight gain. Talking to
friends and satying active are powerful ways to fight back.
About
The Author
|
|
