Weight Gain Around Your Waist Could Be a Hormonal Imbalance

Unexpected weight gain may be due to low estrogen levels, but they can be restored with hormone therapy.

Have you found yourself gaining extra weight, even though you’ve been active and eating well? Weight gain, especially around your waist, can be disheartening and frustrating. The answer could lie in your hormones, and hormone therapy could be the solution. 

Hormonal imbalances can wreak havoc on your metabolism and weight. A decline in estrogen levels can cause a shift in fat distribution in your body. This often leads to increased weight gain particularly around your waist.

If you’re struggling with this, you’re not alone. Our team at HerKare is here to help you understand the potential hormonal causes behind your weight gain and explore solutions to reclaim your confidence and well-being. This could include hormone therapy, a custom weight loss program, or both. Book an appointment to assess your hormone levels and get started.

Imbalanced Hormones Can Lead to Weight Gain – Hormone Therapy

Our bodies rely on a complex mixture of hormones to function properly. These chemical messengers significantly impact how we process food, store energy, and feel hunger. When these hormones are balanced, our weight stays relatively stable. 

However, imbalances can quickly disrupt this delicate system, leading to excess weight that then requires significant time and effort on your part to lose. This can feel extremely frustrating if you already have an active, healthy lifestyle, yet find that your clothes aren’t fitting you as well as they should. Thus, understanding how hormones influence your body’s weight management is crucial, especially if you have begun to experience unexplained weight gain.

Estrogen

Estrogen plays a crucial role in female fat distribution, typically encouraging fat storage in the hips and thighs. When estrogen levels decline, this pattern can shift. Reduced estrogen signaling can lead to increased fat accumulation around your abdomen, resulting in a thicker waistline, even if your overall weight remains the same.

Cortisol

Known as the stress hormone, cortisol is essential for survival, but chronic stress keeps it constantly elevated.  High cortisol not only increases appetite and cravings for sugary, fatty foods but also directly signals your body to store fat preferentially in the abdominal area. This contributes to the classic “apple” shaped body type.

Thyroid

Your thyroid acts like your body’s internal thermostat, regulating metabolism. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid becomes underactive, producing too few thyroid hormones. This slowdown in metabolism can make weight loss difficult and contribute to weight gain, often despite no changes in diet or exercise.

Leptin and Ghrelin

Leptin is produced by fat cells, and signals to the brain that you’re full and can stop eating. Ghrelin, made primarily in the stomach, does the opposite, increasing your appetite. Imbalances in these hormones can disrupt your natural hunger cues. For example, consistently elevated ghrelin can lead to increased appetite and potential overeating, while issues with leptin signaling can make it difficult to feel satisfied after meals.

Insulin

Produced by the pancreas, insulin is a critical hormone that helps your cells absorb glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream for energy. When insulin function is disrupted, this sugar remains in the blood and can be converted to and stored as fat. Additionally, insulin itself can promote fat storage, particularly around the abdominal area.

Low Estrogen Can Affect Women of Every Age

Low estrogen does not just affect older women. While menopause is the most common cause of low estrogen, this hormonal imbalance can impact women of any age. Hormone therapy is an effective solution that can help you restore your balance.

If you’re experiencing symptoms that might suggest low estrogen, simple blood work is all it takes to get your hormone levels properly assessed. If your estrogen levels are low, you may be experiencing symptoms such as:

• Irregular or absent periods
• Mood swings, irritability, or depression
• Difficulty concentrating or brain fog
• Fatigue or sleep problems
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Changes in sex drive
• Vaginal dryness
• Bone loss (osteoporosis)

What Causes Low Estrogen in Women?

One of the most common causes is menopause, where the ovaries naturally decrease estrogen production as a woman ages. This transition can begin years before your final period, during a phase known as perimenopause. Perimenopause can start as early as your mid 30s, though most women begin to experience it in their mid to late 40s.

However, low estrogen isn’t limited to menopause. Extreme dieting, excessive exercise, and eating disorders like anorexia can disrupt the body’s hormonal balance, including estrogen levels. Certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, can damage the ovaries and lead to low estrogen. 

Your hormones can also be affected by interaction with common endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates, which are found in plastics like food containers and children’s toys; Bisphenol A (BPA), which is used in the lining of some food and beverage cans and in plastic bottles; and parabens, which are preservatives widely used in cosmetics, shampoos, and lotions.

Hormone Therapy and Weight Loss Solutions – HerKare

Unexplained weight gain around your waist, along with other changes in your body, could signify an underlying hormonal imbalance. Ignoring these signs could worsen the problem and lead to increased health risks over time.

We understand the frustration you are feeling, and we are here to help. We offer targeted hormone therapy to restore your body’s balance and address the root cause of your symptoms. Additionally, we develop personalized weight loss treatment plans tailored to your unique needs and hormonal profile. Schedule a consultation to investigate the underlying causes of your weight gain and find solutions for a healthier, happier you.