She believes that everyone should take an interest in health and fitness, as not only do they improve your way of life, but they can also have a significant impact on your health.
Shutterstock
Although hormonal imbalances are common, many still struggle with their profound effects. Estrogen fluctuation in the body affects one of the most talked about topics, which is weight. Does low estrogen cause weight gain? Here is everything you need to know about the link between low estrogen and weight gain!
It is a hormone that is responsible for various body functions. Contrary to what most people think, it is found in both men and women. However, in men it is present in small amounts only (3).
In women, most people know this hormone as their primary sex hormone. Besides this it also has other roles in the female body. For example, it helps develop and maintain the reproductive system and female features like the breast and pubic hair (3).
In men, this hormone is used in the production of sperm (3). However, too much of it may slow down sperm production and cause men to have bigger breasts than usual (3). Estrogen is also responsible for cognitive health, the cardiovascular system, and bone health (3).
Estrogen levels vary depending on several factors. The fluctuation of this hormone has various effects, for example, mood changes and hot flashes during menopause (3). These factors include (3):
Read More: High Estrogen Foods: 12 Natural Sources Of Phytoestrogens
Any hormonal imbalance in the body has several effects. For example, an imbalance of estrogen in your body may cause the following (3).
Several effects are associated with low estrogen in the body. Before we look into these effects, let us first look into what affects estrogen. Estrogen levels may drop because of the following reasons (6):
Whether you’re looking to simply pep up your fitness routine, jazz up your diet with mouth-watering low-calorie recipes or want to get your act together and significantly drop that number on your scale – BetterMe app has got you covered! Improve your body and revamp your life with us!
Estrogen is a vital hormone in the body, so you need to watch out for its symptoms to avoid estrogen imbalance. Some of the signs of low estrogen to look out for include (6):
These are the significant symptoms experts suggest you look out to know if you have estrogen deficiency. However, you may experience some symptoms but end up being diagnosed with another medical condition instead of this deficiency. So, the only way you can be sure you have estrogen deficiency is by getting a test.
Read More: Low Estrogen Diet: Balance Your Hormones Through Your Meal Plan
An estrogen test measures the levels of this hormone in your blood or urine. You can measure this by taking a home test that requires you to test in your saliva (2).
If you’d rather not take the home test, you can go to your doctor for the test. However, note that there are different estrogen tests conducted because there are different types of estrogen. The three commonly tested types of estrogen are (2):
An individual mainly conducts an estradiol and estrone test when they want to (2):
An estriol hormone test, on the other hand, is conducted when an individual wants to (2):
There is nothing special you need to do before preparing for an estrogen test. All you have to know is the reason you are conducting this test. As seen from above, there are different types of estrogen tests and all test different things
So, let your doctor know the specific reason you want to conduct an estrogen test. They will know the test to give you, based on your response. There is little to no risk of having a blood estrogen test (2).
According to MedlinePlus, after such a test, all that happens is a slight pain or bruising where you were injected (2). In addition, experts have not found any risk of conducting either a urine or saliva test (2).
If you struggle to even flirt with the idea of giving up your favorite foods or working out till your legs give way – BetterMe app is here to breathe a fresh perspective into the way you view the weight loss process! Check out the app and experience the fun side of fitness and dieting with BetterMe!
Most hormones, including estrogen, have a profound impact on weight. According to Medical News Today, lower estrogen levels in the body, mainly during menopause and perimenopause, cause sudden weight gain (2).
Sadly, the weight is not distributed evenly throughout your body. Instead, most of it tends to settle in your waits, hips, and thighs. This is because weight gain during menopause primarily settles in your hips and thighs (2).
That said, as time goes on and estrogen levels continue to drop, fat settles more in your abdominal area (1). The type of fat that settles in your abdominal area is known as visceral fat and is considered dangerous. It is linked to conditions like stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers (1).
Weight gain in older women with low estrogen levels can be more profound due to other factors. For example, loss of muscle mass due to aging increases weight gain, which, coupled with low estrogen levels, adds tremendous weight (1).
Nevertheless, experts acknowledge that weight gain during menopause and reduced estrogen levels are normal. Despite this acknowledgement, the unexpected weight does sit well with most women.
Luckily, you do not have to worry about it because experts have developed ideal ways of keeping the unwanted weight at bay. Here are simple interventions to help you lose weight or maintain an ideal weight, even when your estrogen levels are fluctuating (2):
The most recommended technique is consuming a healthy and balanced diet. You have to ditch unhealthy foods like junk, sugary, and highly processed foods (5). Instead, you are advised to consume more fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, healthy fats, and low-dairy products.
Talk to your doctor and nutritionist if you are trying to lose weight using a diet plan. You may need professional help crafting a weight loss diet plan that meets your dietary and calorie requirements.
Performing physical activity will also help you lose weight associated with low estrogen levels. There are so many exercise programs to choose from. They include aerobic or cardio workouts, yoga, stretching, and strength training programs.
It would be best if you talked to your doctor and fitness trainer before starting any exercise program. Remember that each program has its pros and cons, which you must go through with a professional. Again, different programs best fit different fitness goals.
For example, stretching exercises are more suitable for improving flexibility and fighting muscle stiffness. Likewise, you need to know various things about the activity you have chosen, for example, how long and often you should work out.
For instance, if it is a strength training activity, Mayo Clinic suggests performing the program at least once or twice a week (5). Knowing this, some may want to perform the routine five or six days a week to maximize their results.
These are some of the many factors you need to go through with these professionals. So, make sure you schedule an appointment with them.
Alcoholic beverages contain a high amount of calories, which may lead to a calorie surplus on any given day. A calorie surplus increases the risk of weight gain instead of weight loss (4). So, opt for other beverages, mainly those with a lower count of calories like water. Water has zero calories and is the number one recommended drink for weight loss.
Most weight watchers have a habit of skipping breakfast. Despite the saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, most dieters choose to go without it. The debate of whether skipping meals is healthy or not has been a topic of discussion for the longest time now.
According to Medical News Today, studies do not advocate skipping breakfast but rather recommend it. Having a protein-rich breakfast increases satiety and prevents overeating throughout the day that is linked to a calorie surplus (4).
Select a high-protein breakfast that includes eggs, quinoa porridge, chia seed pudding, or sardines (4). Then, ask your nutritionist to craft you a meal plan to avoid consuming the same thing over and over.
Another scientifically proven way of shedding pounds is intermittent fasting. This refers to an eating pattern involving regular short-term fasts and then shorter durations to eat, mainly during the day (4). There are several types of intermittent fasting, some of which include (4):
Deciding on the intermittent fasting method to choose from can be daunting, especially for beginners. So, to help you make a well-informed decision, you are asked to talk to your doctor.
Studies reveal that poor sleep quality and a lack of enough sleep slows down metabolism (4). Metabolism is the process in which your body breaks down food or converts calories to energy (4). When it slows down, your body stores unused energy as fat (4).
Additionally, when you do not get enough sleep, your body releases insulin and a hormone called cortisol (4). These two prompt storage of fat when they are produced in large quantities. They do so in various ways.
The most common way is by affecting the hormones leptin and ghrelin that are responsible for appetite regulation (4). So, make sure you get enough and quality rest.
Stress also contributes to weight gain by triggering the release of adrenaline and cortisol (4). Initially, they make your appetite decrease as your body’s first flight response (4). However, with prolonged stress, cortisol remains in your bloodstream and increases your appetite, leading to overeating. This means extra calories.
Experts have discovered several stress-management interventions to help reduce stress-related weight gain. These include yoga, mindful meditation, deep breathing techniques, tai chi, brisk walks, or leisure activities (4).
After your doctor discovers you have low estrogen levels, they may propose various things to help restore balance. Some of these include:
Your doctor may feel the need to put you on supplements and medications to help correct this imbalance. Stick to the provided dosage and do not stop the medication without consulting with your doctor.
This form of therapy helps manage menopausal symptoms as part of hormone therapy. Most people refer to this as hormone replacement therapy (3). This treatment constitutes mainly estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone (3).
Does low estrogen cause weight gain? Yes, it does. A drop in the estrogen levels in your body causes unwanted weight gain, especially in your abdominal area, hips, and thighs. Talk to your doctor if you believe estrogen deficiency is responsible for your weight gain. They will conduct a test and recommend a suitable intervention.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on for decision-making. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!