‘Menopause belly’ – what is it?
During menopause, many women will naturally experience weight changes around their midsection. Often labeled as ‘belly fat’, it’s a common and natural occurrence. There can be a number of things that influence how much weight you gain during menopause, however, the hormonal changes your body experiences is the main cause of the ‘menopause belly.’
When women go through menopause, estrogen decreases which increases the percentage of testosterone within your hormonal balance. As women age, their weight generally tends to accumulate around the hip area, whereas for men it tends to be around the stomach. When the concentration of estrogen in women is lower than it was previously, fat storage can be redirected around the stomach. So, while the menopause is not directly linked to weight gain, changes in fat distribution and body composition can be.
How long does menopause weight gain last?
The amount of time menopause-related weight gain lasts for will vary person to person. Some women will experience weight loss once they have gone through menopause and their hormones rebalance. Whereas others may not return to the same weight that they had before menopause, even once it has passed.
Because your metabolic rate decreases with age, it becomes easier to gain weight while eating the same amount and types of food you’re used to. Adjusting your diet and living an active lifestyle can help keep weight gain to a minimum, but it can be more difficult compared to losing weight at a younger age.
