Hormones send chemical signals throughout the body and play a vital role in various functions. They can affect mood, metabolism, energy level, sexual function, sleep quality, and more.
When considering how much hormones impact your body, it’s no wonder that hormonal imbalances can create such a lasting effect. One of these effects is weight gain.
How Hormone Imbalances Can Lead to Weight Gain
Your body makes over 50 different hormones that contribute to bodily functions. Common hormone imbalances can disrupt these functions, leading to problems like weight gain.
Hormone imbalances can slow metabolism, which causes the body to burn fewer calories and store excess energy in the form of fat. In addition, changes in hormones can affect energy and sleep quality which in turn leads to decreased energy output (calorie burn), poor food choices, and other factors that can lead to weight gain.
For women specifically, certain hormones responsible for controlling weight decrease as they age. Because of this, it becomes increasingly difficult to lose excess weight, especially abdominal fat.
Common Hormone Imbalances in Women
At any age, women may experience hormone imbalances leading to changes in the body, including weight gain. Especially for women entering perimenopause and menopause, these changes can make weight management very difficult.
Thyroid Imbalances
There are two types of thyroid disorders that can create hormonal imbalances in the body. These include:
- Hypothyroidism: For this disorder, the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, slowing down the body’s metabolism. This means that the body burns fewer calories, leading to weight gain.
- Hyperthyroidism: While less common, an overactive thyroid can also cause weight gain. Rapid metabolism can initially lead to weight loss, but hyperthyroidism can significantly increase appetite, contributing to weight gain over time.
Thyroid imbalances are not addressed with hormone therapy. Instead, these are treated with medication that is used to help control thyroid issues.
Cortisol
Cortisol is often referred to as the “stress hormone.” When the body is under chronic stress, it can produce excessive cortisol. High cortisol levels can increase appetite, particularly for sugary and fatty foods. It can also promote fat storage, especially in the abdominal area.
Additionally, the adrenal glands, which produce cortisol, can become overworked due to chronic stress. This condition, known as adrenal fatigue, can lead to various symptoms, including weight gain.
A cortisol imbalance is addressed through stress management and lifestyle changes rather than hormone replacement therapy.
Insulin
Resistance to insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels, can also contribute to weight gain. The body may produce more insulin to compensate, leading to increased fat storage.
Insulin imbalances may be addressed with certain medications.
Leptin and Ghrelin
Leptin and ghrelin are hormones that regulate appetite and satiety. Leptin signals the brain that the body is full, while ghrelin stimulates appetite. Hormonal imbalances can disrupt the balance between these hormones, leading to an increased appetite.
Imbalances of these hormones are addressed through lifestyle changes and some medications, including appetite suppressants, semaglutide, and tirzepatide. There are also supplements that can address these hormonal imbalances, such as Mirabile M.D.’s lipo leptin supplement.
Sex Hormones
Changes in estrogen and testosterone levels can also influence weight. For example, during perimenopause and menopause, a decrease in estrogen levels can lead to weight gain. And, a drop in testosterone can affect energy levels and workout efficiency, both of which can lead to weight gain.
Other conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), irregular menstruation, pregnancy, and infertility, can also all create estrogen imbalances.
Unlike other hormonal imbalances that must be treated through specific medication and lifestyle changes, sex hormone imbalances can be treated using hormone replacement therapy.
Hormone Therapy for Weight Management
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) targets estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Because of this, hormone replacement therapy for women can be a great solution for regulating these fluctuating hormones.
BHRT is a treatment used to alleviate symptoms caused by estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone imbalances. Because it is often used in women going through menopause, BHRT may also be referred to as menopausal hormone therapy or estrogen replacement therapy.
Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone hormones can be administered in several ways, including:
- Skin patches
- Troches
- Compounded creams
- Tablets
- Implants inserted under the skin
If you’ve tried losing weight the traditional way and have been unsuccessful, you may consider BHRT if that weight gain is due to a hormonal imbalance. Signs that this is the case would include gaining weight along with having other common symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats or hot flashes. If you’ve stopped menstruating at an earlier age than expected, hormone therapy for weight management may also be for you.
Other Weight Management Considerations
Hormone therapy can be an excellent tool for achieving long-term, sustainable weight loss. Hormone therapy can help to minimize symptoms that make weight management more difficult and, as a result, make weight loss more achievable.
When attempting to lose weight, there are various other considerations, including the following.
Nutrition and Dietary Considerations
A balanced diet, such as one focusing on macronutrients and weight loss, can contribute to hormone balance.
A fiber-rich diet of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes offers incredible health benefits. Fiber is shown to reduce inflammation and improve satiety—both of which help with weight loss or weight management.
Exercise and Physical Activity
In addition to maintaining a healthy diet, daily exercise and physical activity is an important supplement to hormone therapy for women. This is because regular exercise can significantly contribute to hormonal balance by:
- Reducing stress
- Improving mood
- Supporting thyroid function
- Improving sleep quality
- Building and maintaining muscle mass
Sleep
BHRT is a great way to guarantee a good night’s sleep despite a hormonal imbalance. This has been shown to have one of the biggest impacts on a person’s ability to lose or maintain weight. If you’ve struggled with sleeping due to menopausal symptoms such as night sweats, the balancing out of these hormones will help decrease these symptoms and give you the rest you need.
Hormone therapy for women is a great way to supplement weight loss and weight management. At Mirabile M.D., we provide bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for women in their pre-menopause, perimenopause, and post-menopause years. To learn more, contact us today.
