If You're Gaining a Lot of Weight In Menopause, These Are the Exact Hormones to Get Tested

The average person gains 12 pounds within the first eight years of menopause (though obviously, some people gain less and some will gain more). This can certainly be discouraging, especially if you feel you are doing everything you can to maintain a healthy weight, including eating a nutrient-rich diet and exercising regularly.

As you might expect, hormone changes during menopause contribute to weight gain. If you are struggling with weight gain during menopause, it can be helpful to get your hormone levels checked, but in order to properly advocate to yourself, it’s important to know which hormones to ask your doctor to test. We've got you covered!

Related: 'I'm an OB/GYN—This Is the One Menopause Symptom You Should Never, Ever Ignore'

Why So Many People Struggle With Weight Gain During Menopause

Dr. Tamara Guichard, MD, a gynecologist at Modern Urology, explains that there are several different reasons why many people gain weight during menopause.

“Women struggle with weight gain during menopause due to fluctuating estrogen levels which cause water retention and changes in metabolism,” she told Parade.com, adding that this often happens on top of living a less active lifestyle.

Dr. Bruce Dorr, MD, FPMRS, FACOG, an OB/GYN and senior medical advisor at Biote, noted that weight tends to get distributed differently during menopause too. "During menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels drop significantly and the balance between key hormones like estrogen, thyroid and adrenal hormones is disrupted," he explained. "This often leads to fat accumulation around the waist."

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Dr. Dorr also pointed out that with the loss of estrogen and testosterone in menopause, muscle mass is reduced. This lowers the body’s resting metabolic rate as muscles play a vital role in burning calories. That isn't even the only culprit, he adds: “Other menopause symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances and reduced energy can decrease physical activity, which makes it more difficult to exercise.”

If you are experiencing hot flashes, you know firsthand how disruptive to getting a good night’s sleep they can be. Dr. Dorr says that this not only can cause next-day fatigue that makes it harder to have the energy to exercise, but can also cause anxiety and depression. Everything is worse without consistently good sleep, and as a result, a lot of these factors end up compounding in weight gain that can be really stubborn and difficult to counteract without some help.

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Hormones to Get Tested If You Are Struggling With Weight Gain During Menopause

If you are gaining a significant amount of weight during menopause, it can be helpful to pinpoint the reason why. Is it due to lack of sleep, as Dr. Dorr pointed out? Are you consuming more calories than you are burning?

Can’t figure it out? It can be helpful to get your hormones tested. Both doctors say that the root cause of menopause symptoms, including weight gain, is caused by a sudden drop in production of estrogen and progesterone, so these are two hormones it can be helpful to check. Both doctors say that it’s also worth it to get your thyroid checked because an underactive thyroid can impact metabolism and cause weight gain as well.

If you get your labs back and there is a hormone imbalance, then you can talk to your doctor about next steps. “Lifestyle and diet changes can help with hormonal imbalances. In general, avoiding pro-inflammatory foods such as fried foods, refined carbs and sugary foods and drinks and some grains can help a person maintain a healthy weight. For some people, dairy should also be avoided,” Dr. Dorr says.

Related: A Comprehensive List of Every Menopause Symptom—and What To Do About Each

Both doctors say that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is another option to consider, however, it is not a fit for everyone, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about if it’s right for you.

“HRT can be delivered in many forms including pellet therapy, transdermal therapy (through the skin) by either a patch, gel, spray or cream, and sublingual or buccal therapy (under the tongue or between the cheek and gum),” explains Dr. Dorr. In addition to helping with weight management, both doctors say that HRT can help minimize other menopause symptoms as well. “Many women use hormone replacement therapy to relieve the symptoms of menopause which include the classic symptoms of night sweats, hot flashes or vaginal dryness. However, there has been a great deal of evidence showing that hormone replacement therapy and maintaining an optimal balance of hormones in our bodies improve many different areas of our health over the long term,” Dr. Dorr says.

While HRT can be beneficial to many, it’s important to remember that it’s not the best fit for everyone. It’s important to talk to your doctor about how it may or may not impact your individual health, including any underlying health issues you may have.

Most importantly, Dr. Dorr says to not be afraid to advocate for yourself and your health. “If you feel your healthcare provider is not listening to you, or worse, tells you that your symptoms are a natural part of aging, find a new healthcare provider," he urged. "Do not suffer in silence, and do not let menopause define you in any way."

Menopause is a natural stage of life, but you do have control about what it looks like for you to go through it. If your symptoms are getting in the way of you enjoying your life, talk to your doctor about your options.

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Sources

• Dr. Tamara Guichard, MD, a gynecologist at Modern Urology

• Dr. Bruce Dorr, MD, FPMRS, FACOG, OB/GYN and senior medical advisor at Biote