Managing Menopause and Weight Gain

Many young women detest menstruation—from the bleeding to the cramps and the loss of appetite, it’s not something they joyfully anticipate. On the other hand, getting to the age of menopause isn’t without its fair share of pain and discomfort.

Menopause is characterized by hot flashes, hair growth on various body parts, vaginal dryness, and weight gain, among other symptoms. It’s a lot to handle, so many use hormone replacement therapy in Las Vegas to deal with changing hormones.

Understanding Menopause

Menopause is that period in a woman’s life where there’s an end to ovulation and menstruation. It’s when a woman’s body stops producing the amount of estrogen and progesterone needed to have children. It happens between 40 and 50, and the symptoms typically last for a few years. Every woman’s menopause experience is unique.

Menopause happens in three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. Perimenopause, the stage before menopause, is when hormones begin to dwindle and the person’s menstruation becomes irregular. Following that is menopause, where the menstrual cycle ends and there’s no period for a year. Postmenopause is life after menopause. It is at this point that menopausal symptoms begin to fade, but women are more susceptible to many health problems.

Symptoms of Menopause

The menopausal experience is unique to every woman. Some women’s symptoms can be managed with hormone therapy, while others get over them quickly. The cause of this variation may be influenced by a person’s lifestyle habits and medical history. Regardless, some of the most common symptoms include the following:

• Irregular and infrequent periods.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Hot flashes.
• Sore and tender breasts.
• Reduction in muscle mass.
• Depression.
• Hair loss.
• Reduced sex drive.
• Weight loss.

The Relation Between Menopause and Weight Gain

There are a lot of unwanted physical and mental changes that come with menopause. Amidst the hot flashes, anxiety, and depression, another common thing that happens to women at this stage is weight gain. It’s not that reaching menopause is directly proportional to women adding extra pounds; it just makes them vulnerable.

While hormonal alterations may be partly responsible for weight gain around the abdomen, it is not enough to account for several extra pounds. Instead, some factors contribute to why a woman may increase in size during this period.

Age is a primary factor. As a person ages, their metabolism slows down, meaning the body isn’t breaking down calories like it used to. So, unless the person adjusts their eating and exercise habits to contain this, they will likely gain some extra pounds. In addition, the ratio of body mass to muscle mass increases. Other factors include genes, stress, lack of enough sleep, and frequent alcohol consumption.

Risks Associated with Menopause-Related Weight Gain

Gaining weight after reaching the menopausal stage can contribute to serious health complications. They include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• High blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing
• Breast cancer

Best Ways to Manage Weight Gain After Menopause

There’s nothing new or different about preventing weight gain after menopause. All a person has to do is stick to the basics.

• Exercise. Indulging in more physical activities is an effective way to lose weight and stay in shape. Not only does exercise help a person lose weight, but it also improves their general health. Women in this stage of their lives are advised to engage in strength training as it helps them gain muscle and helps them get rid of calories. Aerobics such as jogging and brisk walking are highly recommended to keep the body fit.
• Restrict Alcohol Intake. Alcohol contains excess calories and other dangerous elements, so if a person wants to end menopause fit and carry on with their lives, it is essential to limit their alcohol intake. Navigating life after menopause can be stressful and a lot to take in since there will be so many unwanted changes that a person might not be prepared for, so it’s not surprising if they would seek solace in alcohol.
• Regulate Diet. A person’s body can’t burn calories in their later years as it used to in their earlier years. That is how the body works. So, a person cannot eat the exact amounts of food they did a decade ago and expect to maintain the same shape and size, let alone lose weight. Eating more fruits and plant-based diets such as lentils and tofu is better for maintaining a good body size at this stage.
• Keep Sugary Foods to a Minimum. A person needs to tame their sweet tooth to avoid unwanted weight gain. Sugary foods such as ice cream, cakes, and candy contain an unhealthy number of calories and should be kept to a bare minimum. Added sugar is also included. Avoid consumption of soda, juice, and sweetened tea and coffee.
• Non-Surgical Fat Reduction. There are many available non-surgical fat reduction options in Las Vegas, including lipolysis and body sculpting. These options provide a non-invasive method to eliminate pockets of unwanted fat in certain areas. These procedures may not be suitable for obese people.
• People should inform their friends and family about their plans for their bodies so that they can help. They can help ensure certain foods are not in the house and even provide motivation. Other people that should be involved in their journey of self-care are their doctors and dieticians. These professionals will have extensive knowledge of some of the best steps.

Benefit from Menopause Management Strategies

Menopause is not an illness but a general phenomenon for women as they age. People shouldn’t feel depressed about their body’s changes; they can embrace them. Regardless, if they are not okay with it, it’s within their capacity to manage these changes their bodies are going through by utilizing the strategies mentioned throughout this article.