Can Perimenopause cause Sudden Weight Gain?

The mid-40s and 50s are crucial stages during a woman's life. Ageing, menopausal transition and environmental changes during this period can significantly impact a woman's physical, emotional and mental health. The experience of menopause can vary from person to person. Therefore, understanding your menopausal transition and your body's reaction to the changes associated with menopause is vital to making this journey easier.

Does Perimenopause cause sudden weight gain?

Although weight gain is often associated with ageing, it is not uncommon for middle-aged women experiencing menopause to complain of sudden weight gain and obesity. The biological changes brought about by perimenopause are considered to be responsible for increased central obesity and an increase in fat deposition.

But researchers consider this effect of being comparatively small to put the whole blame of obesity on perimenopause. The more logical cause of the weight gain is more to do with the predominant symptoms of menopause which are detrimental to healthy living, such as chronic joint and muscle pain, disrupted sleep patterns, and stress.

Factors associated with weight gain during Perimenopause

Gaining weight due to Increased Fat deposition and Decreased Muscle Mass

Hormonal fluctuations, majorly oestrogen deprivation, manifest in increased visceral fat deposition in the mid-section of your body. A decrease in oestrogen levels makes your body look out for different sources of oestrogen. And fat seems to be a good alternative as a source of oestrogen for the body. Your body, therefore, provides more fat with increased central fat deposition to increase the source of oestrogen. You could, therefore, somewhat blame your perimenopausal hormonal changes for that extra flabby stomach. In addition, perimenopause is also associated with a decrease in lean body mass along with an increase in fat deposition, which further contributes to unwanted weight gain.

Ageing

During your mid-40s and 50s, your body begins to show signs of ageing. Women have been observed to gain at least half a kilogram each year during this period. Slowing metabolism, low energy levels, and a small increase in appetite due to hormonal changes tend to add up to an increase in weight. Reduction in lean muscle mass, reduction in physical exercise, and certain chronic health problems are also responsible for weight gain during this period.

Sleep Deprivation

Chronic sleep deprivation is known for its association with unhealthy weight gain. Perimenopausal symptoms and circumstances such as caring for sick, ageing parents or your children moving away can affect your sleeping patterns. Symptoms of perimenopause, such as hot flashes, headaches, and night sweats, can result in insomnia. Lack of proper deep sleep is essential to a healthy body and mind. Prolonged sleep deprivation can affect your lifestyle, eating habits, and metabolism manifesting in weight gain.

Mood swings

Perimenopause tends to affect a woman's emotional and mental well-being negatively. Mood swings, irritability, depression, and anxiety are some of the common symptoms associated with perimenopause. Poor mental health can affect your overall health and lifestyle, halting your physical activities and exercise. It can also lead to an increase in appetite. Being emotionally low tends to make you binge more on those sugary delights that further hamper your fitness leading to an increase in weight.

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle factor plays a major role in sudden weight gain among perimenopausal women. Reduction in muscle mass and low energy levels tends to make one choose a more sedentary way of life as opposed to a physically active life. Irregular sleep, a diet high in refined carbs and sugars, and increased consumption of alcohol are also some of the factors responsible for weight gain.

Chronic Stress

You may be surprised to know the extent to which chronic stress has led to many health problems. Stress is a huge factor in hampering a woman's well-balanced diet, lifestyle, and thereby fitness. Because of varied circumstances during a woman's middle-age period, stress seems to be an inevitable cause for an unhealthy lifestyle that ultimately manifests in those extra kilos.

Weight Management during Perimenopause

Giving your body priority is essential to maintain a healthy weight. If you are suffering from symptoms of perimenopause, it would be wise to consult your primary care physician.

Your doctor would advise you to undergo a few lab tests to evaluate your hormonal levels, specifically the hormones concerned with menopause. You may consider taking the Welzo Perimenopause Blood test that measures Your luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), oestrogen and progesterone hormones.

Lose weight with Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Taking a Lifestyle and Health Blood test that measures your overall health, including your cholesterol, kidney and liver function, muscle health, and inflammation, could help you understand your health better and prevent you from missing an undiagnosed chronic health problem.

You may want to make some healthy lifestyle choices, such as indulging in regular physical exercise, yoga, and meditation.

Having essential nutrients in your meals can help to alleviate menopausal symptoms as well as maintain good health. Cut down on those refined carbs and chocolate tarts.

A good night's rest and a good work-life balance are necessary to fight off perimenopause symptoms.

Depending on the severity of your perimenopausal symptoms, your doctor may also advise hormone replacement therapy.

Other Common Symptoms of Perimenopause

• Irregular periods
• Hot flashes
• Headaches
• Breast pain and tenderness
• Irregular sleep patterns
• Night sweats
• Insomnia
• Weight Gain
• Mood swings
• Muscle pain
• Joint aches
• Vaginal dryness
• Reduced libido

Read more: Perimenopause symptom checker

The Menopause Transition

The menopause transition usually begins around the age of 45 for most women and may last up to your mid-50s, i.e., around the age of 55. It marks the end of your reproductive life and comprises three phases: perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is characterized by the warning symptoms of the coming menopause and is predominated by hormonal fluctuations associated with a declining functional ovarian reserve. Your ovarian reserve indicates the number of functional eggs your ovaries can release. Declining functional follicles in the ovary result in hormonal changes that manifest in irregular periods, hot flashes, headaches, and other symptoms that may last for a decade or even up to 14 years till menopause occurs. Perimenopause may usually begin around the age of 45 for most women.

Read more: What are the signs that perimenopause is ending?

Menopause

Menopause is when you stop menstruating permanently. It may be defined as a period of twelve consecutive months during which a woman has not had her period. The average age of menopause is 51 years for women in the UK.

Post-menopause

Post-menopause is the period after menopause when a woman's oestrogen levels are at an all-time low and you are more prone to car