The Link Between Hormonal Imbalance And Weight Gain
Underlying health issues and getting older can both cause hormonal fluctuations, making you feel less than your best. A hormonal imbalance can even cause weight gain, along with a few other unpleasant side effects.
Our dedicated primary practitioner, Gordon Hart, PA-C, at Balance Hormone Center, promotes healthy hormone balancing using gentle and effective methods. These compassionate treatments include holistic solutions to help rebalance everything your body needs to stay active, happy, and healthy.
Does Hormone Replacement Cause Weight Gain
You may have heard that there is a connection between testosterone pellets and weight gain. In almost all cases, this is caused by temporary water retention, which is often mistaken for weight gain.
Once your doctor has dialed in the exact amount of hormones you need, this side effect should dissipate and you should find that you feel slimmer and healthier than you did before.
If your dosage isnt right, you could experience weight gain. This is one of the reasons why its so important to receive treatment by a qualified professional and keep up with all of your follow-up appointments. Eventually, youll achieve optimal balance and reach a stable, healthy weight.
For best results, youll want to combine your hormone therapy with a healthy lifestyle that includes diet, exercise, and stress management. Doing so makes it more likely that youll eliminate all or most of your unpleasant symptoms and experience overall better well-being.
Development Of Blood Clots
Blood clots are the clumps of blood the body forms in response to a blood vessel tear. The function of a blood clot is to plug the injured blood vessel so it stops bleeding. There are some diseases, types of therapy, and medications that can increase an individualâs risk of the inappropriate development of blood clots. These blood clots form when blood stops moving, or when it slows down in the blood vessels. Anything that stops the proper movement of blood through the vessels can increase an individualâs risk of developing a blood clot. Blood clots are concerning because they can break off and flow freely throughout the bloodstream. When blood clots become lodged in blood vessels that supply the heart, brain, or lungs, life-threatening medical conditions can occur. A blood clot that becomes lodged in vessels that supply the heart with oxygenated blood can result in cardiac arrest, and a blood clot that gets stuck in the brainâs blood vessels can result in a stroke. While this type of therapy alone increases the risk of blood clots by a small amount, an individualâs risk can considerably increase when bioidentical hormone therapy is combined with other blood clot risk factors, which include obesity, advanced age, smoking, bed rest, heart failure, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Discover more information about the side effects and risks of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy now.
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Improve Your Quality Of Life
You do not need to let stubborn body fat impact your confidence or your health. You can improve your quality of life naturally with bioidentical hormones.
About Dr. Connie Casad
Dr. Connie Casad is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. She strives to help her patients achieve optimal well-being. Dr. Casad provides bioidentical hormone therapy to improve her patients health and quality of life naturally. If you are ready to treat your weight gain, contact our office today to see if it is the right treatment for you.
Are Compounded Bioidentical Hormones Bad
There are risks to taking compounded bioidentical hormones, but in some cases, they may be a better choice. Compounded bioidentical hormones are not FDA-approved. They are not tested for safety or effectiveness. Many major medical groups do not support using them because not enough is known about their safety and long-term side effects.
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What You Can Do: Stop Overeating The Foods That Cause Insulin Resistance
How do we ensure our insulin levels remain balanced? First, we need to stop eating too much. Its a known fact that overeating leads to insulin resistance, especially when we eat too much food thats no good for our bodies and minds. When we eat too much sugar, too much fast food, and too many processed carbohydrates, insulin goes haywire. These elevated insulin levels lead to weight gain and low-grade inflammation. A 2010 study published in the journal Diabetes found that even eating too much of these foods in the short term leads to insulin resistance and weight gain.
You may also want to restrict carbohydrates in your diet. According to a study published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolism, a low-carb diet prevents metabolic syndrome and the insulin resistance that causes it. Other findings show drinking green tea, consuming omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish, and eating adequate amounts of protein all help balance insulin levels.
Get The Nutrition Guidance And Support You Need
Meet with one of our Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Together, well formulate a plan that is customized for your age, lifestyle, activity level and personal goals. You need a plan that is realistic and above all sustainable, since maintaining a healthy weight is a life-long endeavor. Also, you can join our 12 Week Program for well rounded approach.
Ready to learn more? to schedule a Learn More session.
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How To Balance Hormones During Menopause
It is important to work with your doctor to get a full picture of your hormonal health before starting any treatment for menopause symptoms. This should involve comprehensive blood tests and consultations to understand your symptoms and how your cycle affects you.
Only when your doctor has a full understanding of how your hormones and symptoms are linked, as well as any other contributing factors, should they prescribe any form of treatment.
For dealing with weight gain during menopause, your doctor may suggest a number of different complementary actions such as:
- A course of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy to help balance your hormone levels.
- They may refer you to a nutritional consultant who can build a plan tailored to your needs and lifestyle.
- Increase exercise to help reduce the impact of a slower metabolism.
What Are The Risks Of Bioidentical Hormones
It has been shown in research studies that there are risks for women who take hormones, called hormone therapy . It can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and gallbladder disease. In women who are older, and who use hormone therapy for an extended period, the risk of heart disease and breast cancer may also increase. Many doctors who use bioidentical hormones claim they are safer than regular HRT. But there have been no large research studies of bioidentical hormones. It has not been shown that they really reduce the risk of these problems.
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What Is Pellet Therapy
First things first, what is pellet therapy? This treatment is a form of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy that involves an injection of custom-compounded hormones.
Your doctor will determine the specific dose thats ideal for you. During a quick doctors visit, the pellets are injected into your upper buttocks. The system will begin to take effect and youll notice a change in your symptoms within 7 to 10 days.
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What Can I Do About A Hormonal Imbalance
At Balance Hormone Center, we have some easy solutions if youre experiencing the effects of a hormone imbalance.
Hormone therapy can help women before, during, and after menopause, and its also an option for men experiencing a drop in testosterone levels. Regardless of age, diet, or environmental factors, a natural hormone replacement therapy treatment plan can decrease or eliminate imbalances. At Balance Hormone Center, we specialize in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy .
When diet and exercise arent enough to shed excess pounds, consider personalized treatment options for weight loss. You can take control of your weight loss under the supervision of a certified specialist by developing unique treatment plans that help you reach your goals.
Getting your body back in balance is a critical part of your happiness.
Are you ready to make an appointment at Balance Hormone Center in Norman, Oklahoma? To find out how we can help you return to a happy and healthy hormonal balance, our office today or use our convenient online scheduling tool to request an appointment.
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The First 3 Months: Potential Side Effects
Every person is unique, so your experience with hormone replacement therapy may be different from someone elses. For instance, some individuals wont experience any side effects from BHRT. Others, on the other hand, may have unexpected side effects the first few weeks.
When you first start hormone replacement therapy, you might experience a few side effects as your body adjusts to the hormone fluctuations. Side effects may vary by person, dose, method, and type of hormone taken. Your age also plays a role in the side effects you may experience.
However, here are some common side effects of oestrogen and/or progestogen:
Higher risks may result, especially depending on the balance of your hormones. Do your research and talk to your doctor about the best preventative methods.
Its always recommended that you talk with your doctor about your risk factors and personal circumstances involved and keep seeing them every 3-6 months during treatment.
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Why Have I Gained A Few Pounds On Bioidentical Hormones
Many patients are concerned about gaining weight during hormone therapy. Whether its HRT or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy , some patients may experience a bit of weight gain at the beginning. However, overall, weight gain is not associated with hormone replacement and may result from your hormonal imbalance.
Kellie Lewis, co-owner and acting medical director of Avanti Medical Center, helps patients in Lehi, UT who have questions or concerns about getting bioidentical hormone replacement therapy sort through their options.
Below, well look at why the treatment may cause initial weight gain in some patients and why patients shouldnt worry about this as a long-term effect of bioidentical hormone therapy.
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A Difference You Can Feel
BHRT can have a major impact on how you feel and function. Most men and women notice not only a significant improvement in energy and mood but also an increase in lean body mass and reduction in fat, for a healthier body composition. They find that with proper diet and exercise, they have a much easier time losing weight and keeping it off.
Following pellet therapy, patients typically feel a difference within a few days to a few weeks. Peak absorption occurs within 4-5 weeks. After six weeks, we may reassess your hormone levels and symptoms to ensure the dosage is right. Optimization can sometimes take up to six months to get the hormone levels just right for each individual. Most women receive a new pellet every 3-4 months, while most men typically receive a new pellet every 4-5 months.
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What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is available to both men and women. First, the team at Avanti Medical Center will assess your levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and other hormones. This helps us identify the hormone supplements needed to rebalance your natural hormone levels.
In BHRT, the hormones used in replacement procedures are synthetic, but they are identical on a molecular level to your bodys natural hormones. These bioidentical hormones can be administered via oral capsules, hormone pellets inserted under the skin in the gluteal region, and even creams.
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What Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Do
Dr. Huertas specializes in personalized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy treatment plans for men and women. This treatment can help improve many of the symptoms of imbalanced hormones, resulting in:
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Improved sex drive and enjoyment
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Enhanced concentration and mood
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More ease in building muscle mass
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Weight loss and an increased ability to burn fat
How Long Will It Take My Body To Adjust To Bhrt
The good news is that the side effects of BHRT usually improve over time. Its recommended you stay on your treatment for at least 6 months to get a clearer idea of whether or not its making a difference for you and if the side effects reduce over time.
Always talk to your doctor if symptoms are severe and persist longer than the 3 month mark. If it doesnt feel normal, your doctor will be able to talk you through it and come up with alternative treatment options.
Depending on your hormones, taking them with food, watching what you eat, and adding exercise to your routine may help. Stretching might ease cramping, and a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet might improve breast tenderness, for example. You could also try lowering the dosage and changing which type you take for added relief after three months.
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Why Am I Gaining Weight If Im Not Eating More
No single factor causes weight gain. Your metabolism is a complex energy utilization system, and when things get out of whack, the pounds can accumulate.
Its not always as simple as eating less and moving more. It may surprise you to learn that weight gain can be triggered by hormonal imbalance, too.
Since were committed to analyzing how your health history, lifestyle practices, stress level, medications, and metabolism impact your health, we dont just put a band-aid on your symptoms and consider them in isolation.
Everything about your health is connected, and we dont even begin to create a treatment plan for addressing your weight issues until we have thoroughly examined you, performed various tests, and had a long conversation with you about your past and present health, your family health history, and work/life balance, to name just a few important factors that combine to impact your health.
What Steps Can I Take To Correct Hormonal Imbalance
Estrogen dominance can be safely and effectively treated with the use of bio-identical progesterone. Lab testing, preferably saliva testing, allows us to see the levels and balance of estrogen and progesterone in your body and develop a treatment plan to supplement the progesterone you have with enough to adequately balance out your estrogen. By simply replacing the missing progesterone in your body with bio-identical progesterone, you can get your hormones back into balance. The benefits of hormonal balance can include better sleep, improved moods, increased energy, better mental function, improved libido, and yes, even weight loss!
If you suspect you have a hormonal imbalance, you can Test Your Symptoms for Free. You can also request a Free Consultation and find out how we can help you get to living your best life possible!
Posted in: Bioidentical Hormone, Birth Control, Estrogen Dominance, Hormone Imbalance, Hypothyroidism, Weight Loss, Wellness, Women
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How Does My Healthcare Provider Select My Dose
People on hormone treatment are watched very closely by their healthcare providers. The goal is to relieve symptoms with the lowest dose possible for the shortest amount of time. Depending on your healthcare provider, you might have routine blood, urine or saliva tests to check your hormone levels. Your healthcare provider may adjust your dose based on your changing hormone needs.
The FDA recommends against using hormone levels to guide the dosing of hormone therapy in women, as normal levels fluctuate day to day. In particular, salivary hormone levels are known to fluctuate and have not been shown to be related to menopausal symptoms.
Bioidentical Hormones For Weight Loss
Reviewed By:Dr. Douglas Lord
As people age, changes in hormone levels can have an impact on the way their body behaves in multiple ways, including hormonal weight gain symptoms. Often, as people get older they experience changes in appetite, energy levels, metabolism, sleep cycles, and more. All of this can have an effect on weight and overall health.
Adults over 40 often find these hormone changes to be disruptive and problematic. Sometimes, hormone weight gain seems to occur for no obvious reason, and without any change in behavior.
If youre over 40 and are experiencing hormone fluctuations, you may have noticed some of these changes in yourself. Understanding these changes, why theyre happening, and what can be done about them can help you take better care of your body. Since weight gain can lead to problems like diabetes, heart disease and poor health overall, its very important for you to take action to control your weight.
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Does Hormonal Imbalance Make You Gain Weight
Hormones, along with your lifestyle, influence your appetite, satiety, metabolism, and weight .
Stress, age, genes, and poor lifestyle choices can disrupt your hormonal balance and lead to a sluggish metabolism, indigestion, and uncontrollable hunger. This, ultimately, leads to weight gain.
So, lets find out which hormones cause weight gain.
Bioidentical Hormones: An Introduction
Bioidentical hormones have been building towards mass production ever since their inception in the 1930’s. They are now widely used as a treatment for symptoms of menopause.
These miracle hormones are produced in a laboratory. Extracts are taken from plants and engineered to replicate the hormones found in your body. They can be made up of lots of different hormones, like estriol, estrone, testosterone, and progesterone. Read on to learn about how bioidentical hormones work.
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Does Hrt Cause Weight Gain
While menopause and aging are undoubtedly associated with weight gain, you may wonder if the new numbers on the scale are the result of HRT. This is common many women assume that HRT and weight gain go hand in hand and that a few extra pounds are nearly inevitable while in treatment. If youve experienced menopause so far without weight gain but started to gain weight as soon as you started HRT, you may even be toying with the idea of stopping treatment altogether. But the relationship between HRT and weight gain is far from clear.
Contrary to popular assumptions, most women experience no changes in weight as the result of undergoing HRT.A systematic review of 22 high-quality randomized clinical trials concluded that there was no significant difference in weight between menopausal women who were treated with HRT and those who were not. This suggests that you might gain weight as a result of menopause, but that undergoing HRT will probably not cause additional weight gain.