Significant Weight Loss With Normalization Of Prolactin Levels:
For hypothyroid-related hyperprolactinemia, treatment of hypothyroidism with thyroxine will result in the normalization of prolactin levels in the body. It was also seen that raised prolactin levels in a woman who is not pregnant or breastfeeding reduce lipid metabolism also known as fat metabolism.
Normalization of prolactin levels results in weight loss. Prolactinomas with obesity can be treated with proper medications. This is mostly done with dopamine agonist therapy.
In women, an abnormally high level can cause menstrual disturbances and infertility, and may also result in insulin resistance. In recent years scientists have also recognized the role of prolactin in the development of obesity, but only a little research has been done into the precise mechanism by which prolactin regulates metabolism.
For macroprolactinomas, surgical resection is less effective due to the invasive nature of the tumor. Surgery is usually reserved for patients planning a pregnancy, patients with visual deterioration not reversed by dopamine agonists, or those who are intolerant of medical therapy.
Treatment for the increased levels of prolactin depends on the cause. It is shown that the Normalization of prolactin levels results in immediate restoration of menstrual function and fertility in women. Subsequent weight loss after treatment with dopamine agonists has also been reported.
Ways To Approach Diet And Exercise
There are many ways to approach diet and exercise. Here are a few suggestions I offer my patients:
Keep a diet journal. You may be eating a lot more calories than you think, which is a common problem. Keep a journal of everything you eat, and consider consulting a registered dietitian for help in creating a healthy eating plan.
Strength train. When it comes to exercise, the most important thing mid-life women can do is incorporate strength training with weights. Your body starts eating away at muscle mass around age 40, and weight training is necessary to protect it. There are lots of great fitness apps that can help you create and track your exercise routine also.
Work to prevent weight gain in younger years. Premenopausal women, listen up nows the time to take action to prevent mid-life weight gain. Get your weight under control now and develop an exercise routine that you can stick with into mid-life and beyond.
The Benefits Of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement
Managing your hormone imbalance with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy benefits you in so many ways: from restoring your libido, to giving you back that energy you once had, and helping you achieve your weight loss goals.
However, every case is unique and youll need a full assessment before we can customize the right formula to restore balance. Many factors can come into play when it comes to trying to lose weight and if you succeed, to keeping those pounds from coming back.
If youve tried a thoughtful, focused approach to lose weight and find that those stubborn pounds just wont budge, you may be the ideal candidate for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Contact Cross Roads Hormonal Health & Wellness today. Were located in Cross Roads, Texas, and proudly serve the region, including Denton, and Frisco.
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What Is The Average Weight Gain During Menopause
According to the Obesity in Action Coalition , the drop in estrogen that occurs during perimenopause and menopause causes an average weight gain of about five to ten pounds. Of course, this will vary for each individual dealing with the issue based on their own personal health.
Along with the hormonal fluctuations packing on pounds, symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and digestion issues can all add up to more numbers on the scale. You might not be overindulging or changing your diet in any way, but still find yourself with gaining weight because you lack the energy or feel too uncomfortable to hit the gym or go on as many walks as you did before hitting menopause.
You might also notice and be irritated by that your clothes dont fit as well as they used to, even if you actually havent gained any weight. This happens when our hormones shift the way our bodies store fat. Prior to perimenopause, estrogen deposits fat in your thighs, hips, and buttocks, the OAC explains. During and after menopause, the drop in estrogen leads to an overall increase in total body fat, but now, more so in your midsection.
This becomes what is known as visceral abdominal fat which causes menopausal belly fat. Aside from affecting the way we look , this type of fat is associated with increased risk for serious conditions like heart disease, breast cancer, uterine cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, sleep apnea, and many other troubling diseases.
Hormones Can Be Tricky
Theres a lot that goes into your bodys functions at the hormone level that needs to work together in order for your hormones to balance. We all know that metabolism is the key to losing weight. How many times have you heard the phrase my metabolism is slow or I blame my poor metabolism for my weight gain. How true are these statements? Very true, it turns out. Metabolism is controlled by the way the entire endocrine system works together. This means that adrenal function, insulin and blood sugar regulation are all key players of the endocrine system.
But one function may not be as obvious when youre reading about metabolism reproductive hormones must also be in balance for your endocrine system and therefore your metabolism to work efficiently. For example, if a woman has an excess of estrogen in her system, she will experience weight gain and have a really difficult time losing that extra weight.
What causes an excess of estrogen in womens health? Surprisingly, excess estrogen levels can come from within the body itself or from the environment.
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Hormone Therapy May Help Fight Insulin Resistance Metabolic Syndrome And Other Risks
The finding of this study adds to growing knowledge of how hormonal therapy may avert certain health risks. Preclinical data has shown that either surgical menopause or declines in estrogen accelerates fat accumulation, primarily visceral, or abdominal, fat. This increase in abdominal fat has been shown to be associated with insulin resistance and higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome, both of which increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, says JoAnn Pinkerton, MD, executive director of the North American Menopause Society . Previously, in the Womens Health Initiative, hormone therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of abdominal fat and new onset diabetes with fewer heart events for women who started hormone therapy between 50 to 59 years of age, she continues.
Hormonal therapy is used to treat vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, plus vaginal dryness, problems with sexual function, and urinary symptoms, as well as preventing bone loss and fractures, the NAMS spokesperson points out.
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The Latest Thinking On How Things Like Testosterone And Estrogen Imbalances May Or May Not Add Pounds
by Janis Jibrin, AARP, August 6, 2020| 0
En español | If you’re like most Americans age 50-plus, your waistline is six centimeters wider than it was in your 20s or 30s, and the numbers on your scale reflect this, too. We can all tick off the reasons: genetic predisposition, supersized portions, too much sitting and not enough moving. But there’s another theory circulating through the weight-loss world: hormonal imbalance. And balancing those hormones is the promise behind books like The Hormone Fix, diet programs such as BeBalanced Hormone Weight Loss Centers and countless dietary supplements like Female Balance or DIM, a compound marketed to men as a testosterone protector.”
To suss out whether your hormones are colluding with your fat cells, first a little Hormones 101. Made by our bodies, these chemical messengers have wide-ranging effects: controlling growth, developing sex organs, directing blood sugar levels and, yes, influencing body weight, body fat and muscle mass.
Levels of certain hormones change with age and they can occasionally cause weight gain, says Kenneth Burman, M.D., director of endocrinology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and professor of medicine at Georgetown University, both in Washington, D.C. But, he says, For the vast majority of people who are overweight or have obesity, hormones are not main the cause.
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Menopause And Weight Gain
Weight gain during menopause is one of the many symptoms caused by the fluctuating hormonal levels in a womans body. In most cases, women who experience drastic changes in their weight during this time have not had any problems with their weight before.
It may be more difficult than usual to maintain the usual weight during menopause. Weight gain during menopause is relatively prevalent, with research studies indicating that up to 30% of women between the ages of 50 and 59 are obese.
Time Meals And Snack Right To Counter Mindless Eating
Its not just what you eat when you are following a mid-life diet that matters, but also when you eat. Midnight ice cream binges and potato chip raids, for example, are generally bad ideas and would be a poor choice even during the light of day. But the general message on food timing is clear: Dont eat too much too late, Peeke says. Eating later in the evening is murder for trying to keep weight off.
Another way to keep snacking calories in check is to avoid mindlessly nibbling throughout the day or falling into the dreaded afternoon snack trap. What a menopausal woman does from 3 p.m. on every day can determine how big her belly is. Thats when most women tend to overeat and oversnack.
To help rein in your snacking, Peeke says to start paying attention to your circadian rhythm. Eat during a window of 8 to 12 hours a day, and then dont eat for the rest of the time. Experts find this imperative to take care of weight at any age, but especially during menopause, she says.
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How To Keep Estrogen At Optimal Levels
To balance estrogen levels naturally and prevent the weight gain that happens with an estrogen imbalance, youll want to do the following:
- Commit to a regular exercise routine. Many studies, including this 2012 one, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, explain how exercise lowers estrogen levels in obese women.
- Eat your fiber. Fibrous foods help decrease elevated estrogen levels.
- Eat veggies in the cruciferous family. These include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, and bok choy. Anything green and leafy is always a good idea, too!
- Reduce your exposure to endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with our natural hormones. Avoid plastic containers, cans, or water bottles made with BPA. Never microwave plastic.
- Choose organic foods when possible, and choose phthalate-free cosmetics and personal care products.
- Consider bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, which uses plant-based hormones identical to those produced naturally by the human body to keep hormones balanced.
Body Changes At Menopause
As we age, our muscles decrease in bulk and our metabolism slows down. These changes can contribute to weight gain around the time of menopause.Other physical changes associated with menopause may include:
- skin changes, such as dryness and loss of elasticity
- vaginal dryness
- hair growth .
These changes may affect a womans body image and self-esteem and increase her risk of depression and sexual difficulties. Taking steps to manage the symptoms of menopause can help.
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Weight Gain And Menopause
Virtually all mammals and many other vertebrates undergo declines in reproductive capacity during the aging process. However, menopause is unique to species with menstrual cycles such as women and higher primates. Ultimately, the loss of a womans limited pool of ovarian follicles causes declines in circulating levels of the steroid hormone estradiol. Many of the major postmenopausal symptoms reported in women, such as osteoporosis, vasomotor symptoms, and vaginal dryness, are directly attributable to low circulating estradiol concentrations.
The hallmark of the early menopausal transition is this dramatic reduction in estradiol levels. With this reduction, there is a progressive shift toward androgen dominance in the hormonal mix. Available studies suggest a link between increased androgens and cardiovascular disease risk factors.
You can see what happens to the different menstrual hormones during menopause summarized in this diagram. In theory, the estrogen levels during, and after menopause should diminish significantly, and therefore, in healthy women, the symptoms of menopause in a healthy woman should be negligible if not none at all. So why are estrogens still found in excess, and causing symptoms in so many women? We will find this out soon, so keep reading.
What Can You Do
Weight gain associated with ageing is not inevitable. There are a number of things you can do to maintain your weight as you age.
1. Exercise
Incorporate regular daily exercise, with a mixture of intensities and variety of activities. Try to include body-strengthening exercises two days per week.
2. Weigh yourself but not too much
Weigh yourself once a week at the same time and day to monitor the trend over time. Any more than this will only create a fixation with weight. Day-to-day fluctuations in weight are to be expected.
3. Create positive habits
Create positive habits by replacing negative behaviours. For example, instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media of an evening or turning on the TV and comfort-eating, replace it with a positive behaviour, such as learning a new hobby, reading a book or going for a walk.
4. Eat more slowly
Eat food away from technological distractions and slow down your food consumption.
Try using a teaspoon or chopsticks and chew your food thoroughly as slowing down your food consumption reduces the quantity consumed.
5. Switch off from technology:
Turn off technology after dusk to improve your sleep. Blue light emission from phones, tablets and other devices tell your brain its day, instead of night, which will keep you awake.
Lack of sleep can compromise your decision-making abilities which might lead you to make unhealthy choices that contribute to weight gain.
6. Curb sugar cravings naturally
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Oestrogen And Fat Distribution At Menopause
A change in hormone levels, mainly oestrogen, may influence body fat distribution.
Many women in perimenopause and early post menopause years gain fat mass as their oestrogen levels drop. Women of childbearing age tend to store fat in the lower body , while men and postmenopausal women store fat around the abdomen .
Animal studies have shown that a lack of oestrogen leads to unwanted abdominal fat, although the exact mechanisms are not yet understood.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy
Women typically undergo menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. It occurs around one year after a womans last menstrual cycle. The menopausal transition affects the production of hormones produced by the ovaries. This leads to changes that may affect your health. Hormone replacement therapy including prescribed medication that boosts the levels of hormones lost during menopause.
A variety of hormone replacement therapies are available, but they can lead to various side effects. While some believe that HRT causes weight gain, theres no conclusive evidence to prove it. Theres also no proof that HRT encourages weight loss.
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Where Do I Find Hiit Workouts
In recent years, health clubs have made HIIT classes a core offering. In fact, some chains like Orange Theory specialize in HIIT. If you are more motivated to exercise by taking classes, look for a club that offers HIIT classes at a time convenient for you.
With modern technology, you can easily find HIIT workouts online, from blogs to YouTube to free apps. But you dont even have to go that far. For example, on your next jog around the neighborhood start at a comfortable pace. But then, for 30 seconds, run at an all-out sprint before dropping back into a comfortable pace. The sprint is your interval, and the comfortable pace is your resting period. If you repeat the pattern for several minutes, you will have completed a HIIT workout.
Dont forget to stretch before, during, and after your workout
If youre new to HIIT, start with 30-second interval bursts and 30-second rests for about 20-30 minutes of total exercise time three to four times a week. A recent study of sedentary men found that just 10 minutes of HIIT three times a week achieved the same cardiometabolic health results as 50 minutes of moderate-intensity endurance exercise. How great is it that you can actually exercise for fewer minutes a week and still improve your health! As you become accustomed to the HIIT style, decrease your resting time, and perform different interval exercises. Some examples include:
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Jumping jacks
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Flutter Kicks
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Pushups, and more
Hrt And Weight Gain: Is It The Hormones Or Is It Menopause
If youve stepped on a scale recently and been unpleasantly surprised by the numbers, you may be searching for a reason behind your unintentional weight gain. If youve recently started taking hormone replacement therapy for menopause, you might suspect your new hormone regimen is the culprit. Or is it menopause itself?
Both menopause and HRT can cause weight gain as well as redistribution of your bodys fat deposits. But you may be surprised to learn that neither menopause nor HRT guarantees that you will gain weightand many women even lose weight during this time. Given these facts, how can you figure out whats causing you to gain weight and come up with a plan for how to stop it?
While it may not always be possible to isolate the cause of weight gain from confounding factors like aging or lifestyle factors, weight gain doesnt have to be mysterious or inevitable when you are in menopause or undergoing HRT. Understanding the link between HRT and weight gain as well as the effects of menopause on weight will go a long way toward giving you peace of mind as well as an action plan to take control of your weight. Despite how intimidating unexpected pounds can be, the good news is that you are far from powerless to counteract it even during menopause and HRT.
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