Women going through “the change” may also be noticing a change in their body shape: during menopause, fat storage begins to increase around the abdomen, causing a shift in weight distribution. These changes are partly the result of erratic hormone levels in the body, namely the diminished production of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Continue reading to learn more about how testosterone affects weight gain during menopause.
Testosterone for Women?
Produced in the ovaries and the adrenal glands, testosterone regulates a myriad of female functions, from libido and metabolism to mood, bone health, and energy. While it is generally considered less important than the “female” hormones progesterone and estrogen, diminished testosterone levels may be partly responsible for menopausal weight gain. Here are just a few ways testosterone functions in the female body and potentially affects weight gain:
- Fat distribution. Testosterone helps to turn fat into muscle.
- Blood flow. Testosterone keeps blood vessels healthy and clean, which helps encourage blood flow to various organs in the body.
- Energy and vitality. As a steroid hormone, testosterone helps to boost energy and vitality and increase mental alertness, giving women the push they need to stay active in their everyday lives.
- Mood. Testosterone deficiency may cause a woman to feel sluggish or depressed. Women suffering from mood-related symptoms are less likely to lead healthy lifestyles.
Click here to read more about testosterone’s roles and effects, or continue reading below to learn about how you can regulate testosterone and weight during menopause.
Shedding Unwanted Pounds by Boosting Testosterone
Women looking to beat menopausal weight gain should consider making simple lifestyle and dietary changes to help restore hormone imbalance. Maintaining a regular exercise regime is the first step to converting that extra fat into muscle. Most experts recommend pairing a cardiovascular activity like running or walking with resistance training such as squats or weightlifting, which help to boost testosterone levels. Both types of exercises help to combat fat storage and increase muscle mass.
A well-balanced diet is also important to increase energy and maintain a healthy weight. Women who are suffering from testosterone deficiency should incorporate plenty of fish, poultry, nuts, seeds, fruits and salads into their diet and avoid starches and sugars.
Recommendation
Now that you know more about how low testosterone affects menopausal weight gain, you should take some time to learn about testosterone’s impact on other menopausal symptoms.
• Rail, Kevin. “How to Increase Testosterone with Exercise.” http://www.livestrong.com/article/23031-increase-testosterone-exercise/
• Shifren JL (2004). The role of androgens in female sexual dysfunction. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 79(Suppl): S19-S24.
• North American Menopause Society (2005). The role of testosterone therapy in postmenopausal women: Position statement of the North American Menopause Society. Menopause, 12(5): 497-511.
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