Understanding Abdominal Weight Gain During Menopause
Dr Steven R. Goldstein MD is considered one of the nation’s top gynecologists. He works with menopausal and perimenopausal women to help them understand the changes in their body due to menopause and its symptoms. A past President of the International Menopause Society and a Certified Menopause Practitioner he is well acquainted with Menopause and its symptoms.
As a hormone specialist in NYC, Dr Goldstein frequently encounters patients navigating the often complex changes associated with menopause. One of the most common and distressing concerns women express during this transitional phase is the noticeable shift in body composition specifically, an increase in abdominal fat. Medically, this phenomenon is referred to as centripetal adiposity, or the redistribution of fat from the hips and thighs toward the midsection.
This change is not merely cosmetic; it reflects deeper hormonal shifts occurring in the body. Estrogen, a key female hormone produced by the ovaries, plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy distribution of body fat and promoting lean body mass. As women transition into menopause and estrogen levels decline, the body’s natural fat distribution begins to change, often leading to increased storage of fat around the abdomen.
To understand why this occurs, it’s important to look at the hormonal feedback systems involved in regulating estrogen production. In premenopausal women, estrogen is produced by the ovaries in response to a hormone called follicle-
stimulating hormone (FSH), which is released by the pituitary gland. FSH stimulates ovarian follicles to produce estrogen. As estrogen levels rise, they signal the pituitary gland to reduce FSH production a process known as negative feedback.
However, during menopause, the ovaries lose their ability to respond to FSH. As a result, they no longer produce sufficient estrogen. In response, the pituitary gland increases its output of FSH in an attempt to stimulate estrogen production. This leads to a hormonal profile that is characteristic of menopause: elevated FSH levels and reduced estrogen levels.
Interestingly, some researchers and clinicians have questioned whether it is the decrease in estrogen or the elevated FSH levels that play a more significant role in driving changes in fat distribution and bone density. Regardless of the exact mechanism, what we do know is that women who opt to begin hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at the onset of menopause often experience beneficial effects. Estrogen therapy not only supplements the body’s declining hormone levels but also restores the negative feedback loop thereby lowering FSH levels.
This hormone balance can help mitigate some of the unwelcome physical changes associated with menopause, including central fat accumulation and loss of bone mass. Women on HRT often report better maintenance of body composition, improved skin elasticity, and greater overall well-being.
As a HRT Specialist NYC, Dr Goldstein has spent decades studying the nuances of hormonal aging in women. Hisclinical experience supports what scientific research has consistently demonstrated: when appropriately prescribed and closely monitored, hormone replacement therapy can be a safe and effective tool for managing the symptoms and physiological changes of menopause.
Of course, hormone therapy is not suitable for everyone. Every woman’s health profile and risk factors must be carefully evaluated in collaboration with a healthcare provider experienced in menopausal medicine, such as Dr Goldstein. If you are woman experiencing changes in your body or are concerned about weight gain during menopause, schedule a consultation with Dr Goldstein Explore evidence-based strategies hormonal and otherwise to help you feel your best during this important stage of life.
Dr Steven R. Goldstein MD is a Past President of the International Menopause Society, a Certified Menopause Practitioner, and a leading HRT Specialist NYC who has helped thousands of women navigate the menopause and perimenopause stages of life.