Did you know approximately 40% of American women between the ages of 40 and 59 are considered overweight or affected by obesity? While there are several contributing factors for weight gain among older women (particularly around the abdomen), hormonal changes are often to blame. Estrogen, the female reproductive hormone, is directly involved in metabolism, maintaining a healthy weight and weight loss for women.

The link between weight loss and hormones

During menopause, a woman’s body goes through significant hormonal changes, decreasing the amount of estrogen and progesterone it makes.

Low levels of estrogen can cause a woman’s body to produce more insulin, which elevates blood glucose levels. Women who have chronically high blood glucose, or hypoglycemia, have a significantly higher risk of insulin resistance and therefore weight gain. Estradiol, a type of estrogen responsible for regulating metabolism and body weight, also declines at menopause, which can lead to weight gain in the hips and thighs. While these hormonal changes make it more difficult to lose weight, it’s not impossible.