We have all heard of “Estrogen dominance” or high estrogen levels as a cause of weight gain, but did you know that low estrogen can cause weight gain as well?
Estrogen actually plays a major role in making your body more sensitive to insulin and protecting against obesity, insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease.
The earlier the age of menopause the higher the risk for these metabolic issues. In addition, estradiol’s impact on weight is independent of diet. This means that even with improvements in diet, if someone has a very low level of estrogen there is a lower potential for weight loss.
But it’s not all doom and gloom for post-menopausal women – Research has found that replacement with estradiol can improve insulin sensitivity and decrease blood sugar levels, and therefore lead to weight loss. In addition, those receiving estrogen replacement experienced the same results as those with naturally higher levels of estrogen.
This information doesn’t change the fact that too much of anything isn’t good for you.
High levels of estrogen, especially oral estrogen and synthetic hormone replacement, as well as unhealthy estrogen metabolism can still cause weight gain.
This is why testing is so important!
Just because you are having irregular cycles or have lost your period does not necessarily mean that your estrogen levels are low especially in perimenopause or the first year without a period.
If you would like to know more about your hormones, get in touch with us at Health Over All, or click HERE to book a consultation.
In health,
Dr. Lisa
Leave a Reply