The perimenopause and the menopause is a time when many women gain weight. Women can eat the same as they used to and they will gain weight – it’s not their fault!
Signs of menopause and perimenopause
Menopause arises from the loss of ovarian follicles (eggs) which then causes a failure of the hormonal system to produce oestrogen. In the perimenopause period, this can happen sporadically and so symptoms of low oestrogen levels also occur at this time.
It is well known that the low levels of oestrogen cause the bothersome symptoms of the perimenopause and menopause namely hot flushes, irritability, insomnia etc.
Consequences of low oestrogen
However, low oestrogen has other consequences also. It causes:
- Muscle loss
- Bone loss
- Increased fat mass and consequent weight gain
The drop in oestrogen levels causes increase protein breakdown and this is reversible with oestrogen replacement (HRT – hormone replacement therapy).
This muscle and bone breakdown leads to an increased protein need which DRIVES a transient hyperphagia (short-lived increased appetite) for protein.
Protein leverage
We need to “protein leverage” – eat more protein as a percentage of our diet.
The other distressing factor is the redistribution of fat from our thighs and buttocks to our belly! This is all hormonally driven!
What can you do?
It is not all doom and gloom – armed with this knowledge – we can consciously:
- Protein leverage
- Reduce total food intake
- Increase exercise
- Consider the use of HRT
For more information on how we can help you during this time please send a message to Caetlin.
