As people age, changes in hormone levels can have an impact on the way their body behaves in multiple ways, including hormonal weight gain symptoms. Often, as people get older they experience changes in appetite, energy levels, metabolism, sleep cycles, and more. All of this can have an effect on weight and overall health.
Adults over 40 often find these hormone changes to be disruptive and problematic. Sometimes, hormone weight gain seems to occur for no obvious reason, and without any change in behavior.
If you’re over 40 and are experiencing hormone fluctuations, you may have noticed some of these changes in yourself. Understanding these changes, why they’re happening, and what can be done about them can help you take better care of your body. Since weight gain can lead to problems like diabetes, heart disease and poor health overall, it’s very important for you to take action to control your weight.
Why Does Hormonal Weight Gain Occur?
Hormones are sometimes called chemical messengers because they transfer information from groups cells throughout the body, thus causing bodily actions or changes to occur. In this way, hormones regulate the changes constantly occurring throughout the body. Changes in hormones can cause the body to do things that many people never anticipated, including developing menopausal belly fat.
For many adults, hormones begin to fluctuate around age 40. Although hormones do not control weight directly, they can have an effect on certain body processes that can affect weight. These processes include:
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Appetite. Hormones affect when you feel hungry and when you feel full. What might have been enough food when you were younger may start to feel like an inadequate amount of food as you age, and thus you may start to eat more.
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Sleep. Even if you’ve never had trouble sleeping before, you may begin to have trouble sleeping as you age.
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Activity level. Lack of sleep can affect your ability to be physically active, which in turn could lead to unintentional weight gain.
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Metabolism. Lack of sleep can also slow down your body’s processes like metabolism, which could lead to weight gain.
Hormones and Weight Gain After 40
Hormone weight gain can sometimes be difficult to identify if you’re not looking for the changes or not aware these changes might be coming. Changes in hormones and weight gain after 40 are both common. Many people start by gaining weight in their belly, especially women. Menopausal belly fat can often affect women who have never before had a hard time maintaining a different body shape.
Other hormonal weight gain symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Puffy face
- Purple or pink stretch marks
- Rounded face
- A fatty hump in between the shoulders
These symptoms may be coupled with other symptoms of hormone changes such as:
- Thinning hair
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Dry skin
- Decreased sex drive
- Frequent urination
How Bioidentical Hormones and Weight Loss Are Related
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is designed to mimic the body’s natural hormones, and replace what has been lost. This helps ease the body through the transition that often occurs between the ages of 35 and 55. By replacing the hormones that have been lost, the body can curb the most severe symptoms.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) must be regulated by a physician. Working with an experienced doctor, patients can ensure they’re taking the right doses and the proper amount for their personal needs. This can help restore appetite, ensure sleep and make exercise easier.
What Else You Can Do: Bioidentical Hormones and Weight Loss
Taking bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help, but there are other things that patients can do to control their weight gain as they age.
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Keep a food diary. This can prevent overeating and can provide insight into the reasons behind the weight gain.
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Exercise. Engaging in light to moderate exercise helps control weight.
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Get extra sleep. Spending more time in bed can help you sleep longer and get the right amount of rest to maintain a healthy level of physical activity.
Contact Nava Health and Vitality Center About Bioidentical Hormones and Weight Loss
Hormones and weight gain after 40 can go through rapid changes. The best HRT for menopause and natural aging should be administered by someone who is experienced in the medical field and who understands the body’s hormones.
Call Nava Health and Vitality Center today or make an online appointment.