How Hormonal Changes Affect Weight In Perimenopause & Menopause
Weight changes in a your 40s and 50s are something that happen, and can lead to a lot of frustration. Some women find that their typical exercise routines and dietary approaches aren’t working anymore. A slowing metabolism is to blame, but that’s not really the cause. It’s mostly hormonal shifts that are affecting how your body regulates blood sugar, stores fat, and controls appetite, all of which will impact your weight.
When estrogen drops in perimenopause and menopause, your insulin sensitivity takes a big hit. Estrogen plays a vital role in maintaining insulin sensitivity within your body. Many people are aware of blood sugar (glucose) but not as aware of insulin. Insulin is the hormone that allows the cells in your body to use glucose, sort of like a key to let glucose into the cell. Without insulin, you can’t use the sugar (glucose) in your blood. Insulin sensitivity is about how your body responds to blood sugar. If you become insulin resistant, your blood sugar stays higher, causing issues within your body, one of which is difficulty losing weight.
When estrogen drops during perimenopause and menopause:
- Your cells become more insulin resistant, causing blood sugar spikes.
- These spikes promote fat storage, especially around the belly.
- Inflammation increases, disrupting metabolism and hormone signalling.
- Appetite hormones shift, increasing cravings and the risk of overeating.