Menopause, Weight Gain and Hormone Replacement Therapy

With the onset of menopause, there is a possibility of gaining weight due to the changes in the hormone levels. A few symptoms of menopause include vaginal dryness, sleeplessness, dry skin, hot flashes and bladder problems. To be relieved of these symptoms, one can undergo a treatment or a therapy known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

In hormone replacement therapy, estrogen and progesterone are given in either in form of pills, skin patches or vaginal creams. Studies have proven that hormone therapy not only reduces the menopausal symptoms but also the risk of osteoporosis and increases the life span. Hormone Therapy can also be administered on a woman who has undergone hysterectomy. However, only estrogen is prescribed for them. For decades both men and women have used this therapy.

There are basically two types of therapy - estrogen and progestogen-estrogen therapy. In estrogen therapy, a low dose of estrogen is prescribed to prevent or relieve the symptoms of menopause.

While in the progestogen-estrogen therapy, combined doses of estrogen and progesterone is given. Progesterone is given in the synthetic form under the name progestin. This therapy is administered for a couple of weeks every month.

How Can Hormone Replacement Therapy Help Me Lose Weight?

A couple of years before the onset of menopause, the hormone levels reduce and as a result there is an increased craving for sugar or for food rich in sugar. As one nears menopause the body produces less estrogen and the body starts using the estrogen stored in fat cells. At the same time, the level of testosterone declines leading to the reduction of lean muscles. Lean muscles help in burning fat. When there is a decline in the lean muscles fat is accumulated leading to weight gain. This weight gain is due to the hormone imbalances and it is very difficult to shed the weight gained at the time of menopause. Only way to avoid weight gain is through hormone replacement therapy. According to ones body condition with the help of a medical practitioner one can choose one of the hormone therapies.

Cardiovascular risk and weight-gain are frequently observed at the onset of menopause. Studies have been conducted to prove that HRT or the hormone replacement therapy tends to reduce weight gain during postmenopausal.

The studies have come to the conclusion that hormone replacement therapy not only prevents weight-gain but also enhances weight loss due to the significant increase in the lipid oxidation. It has also been revealed that hormone therapy favorably influences the plasma lipids, insulin response and energy expenditure.