Why is my body changing? The impact of hormones on weight: Part 1
In part 1 and part 2 of this article:
Goes through hormonal changes that occur in a woman after the age of 35
Breaks down some reasons why weight management strategies should be changed after the age of 35.
Breaks down the cellular changes that occur in the body and how they impact weight gain, loss and management after 35 years old.
Breaks down the factors influencing weight after 35 years old and travelling into perimenopause and beyond.
Body changes, weight fluctuations, and mood shifts are common experiences for many women, especially as female hormone levels begin to shift during perimenopause. As women progress through their lifecycles, they encounter numerous internal and external changes to their bodies.
Perimenopause is a transition period for women, it is the time leading up to menopause (the complete ceasing of the menstrual cycle for twelve months). For many women, this time can feel volatile and confusing. The increase in symptoms includes mood and sleep disturbance, headaches and migraines, memory loss, hot flushes, night sweats, increased anxiety, depression, low mood, low libido, reduced cognitive function, weight gain and the severity of many PMS symptoms like breast tenderness, acne, bloating, painful and heavy period and irregular menstrual cycles. This can feel all too overwhelming.
Weight gain can be a signpost of your changing hormones.
The Evernow study showed that 80% of women in perimenopause experienced sleep disruption, brain fog, or weight changes. During perimenopause, many factors contribute to weight gain and changes in body structure. From changes in muscle mass, insulin sensitivity, decreasing and fluctuating progesterone and oestrogen levels and increased risk of metabolic disease.
Oestrogen VS progesterone VS everything else!
Oestrogen and progesterone are two key hormones essential to women's health. Starting around age 35, women may begin to notice a gradual decline in progesterone and oestrogen levels as they approach menopause. The shift in oestrogen and progesterone levels impacts appetite, insulin, blood glucose levels, stress response and neurotransmitter production.
The reduction in oestrogen levels may result in weight gain, especially in the abdominal area for many women as oestrogen regulates appetite, supports the healthy production of the thyroid hormones and plays an anti-inflammatory role for the body.
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What about progesterone?
Progesterone is produced after ovulation. It is produced from the ovarian corpus luteum and the adrenal cortex. After the age of 35, progesterone begins to drop in production which can further contribute to weight gain as progesterone increases metabolic rate and supports healthy insulin production, while also impairing gluconeogenesis (making glucose from protein and fats). Reduced levels of these hormones can also lead to insulin resistance, where the body becomes less effective at using insulin, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels. This can cause the body to store more fat, particularly in the abdominal region.
Body composition changes with the decline in oestrogen. What this means is that fat is redistributed and tends to localise around the hips, waist and glutes, which increases the risk of metabolic disease and cardiovascular health.
Decrease in muscle mass. The decline in oestrogen also brings a decline in muscle mass and a decrease in metabolic rate. Oestrogen helps balance our appetite and is involved in. A big metabolic switch starts to happen as women move through perimenopause. After 35, women may see more fat storage in the abdominal area, leading to an apple-shaped body.
Simultaneously, a decrease in growth hormone and testosterone can lead to a decrease in muscle mass. Since muscle burns more calories than fat, this decrease in muscle mass slows down metabolism, making it more challenging to maintain or lose weight.
Part 2 of this article will dive into the way that shifts at the cellular level of your body can have enormous impact on your experience of hormones shifts after 35 and how our old habits (good or bad) may not work in our favour at this stage of life.
Here is part 2…