Weight management is a little different during perimenopause. Why is that? When the ovaries start reducing the amount
of estrogen that they produce, the fat cells have a growing role in the production of estrogen. They respond and increase
their size and ability to store fat. This happens more in the waist and abdominal area. The adrenals produce a form of testoserone
which the liver transforms to estrogen with the fat cells around these organs providing the environment for this to happen.
The hormone shifts tend to add the weight to the abdomen; however, this is also related to insulin resistance. This is
being linked to health risks of diabetes, cardiac problems, and hypertension.
This process of fat gain may start as early as 35 and continue until postmenopause. Then weight stabilizes and many women
lose weight at this point. Until then, fighting against the fat gain and changing body shape is more difficult. Some weight
gain is viewed as normal and beneficial. Those with more fat have been found to have fewer perimenopausal symptoms, sleep
better, and have stronger bones. Some consider a gain of up to 10 pounds from the ages of 35 to 55 as healthy due to the estrogen
factor. More than that increases the risk of cardiovascular and other diseases.
