During menopause, many women experience weight gain, especially in the hip and thigh area. This weight gain often occurs despite good dietary and exercise practices, is very difficult to lose and can be due to estrogen dominance. Alternatively, it can also be due to having too little estrogen, which can also lead to other symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, dry skin, vaginal dryness and irritability.
Effects of too little estrogen
Hot flashes are usually taken as the tell-tale sign of low estrogen levels. However, low estrogen levels also set the stage for increased appetite and cravings. This is thought to occur because estrogen has an effect in the body that is similar to serotonin; thus, when estrogen levels drop, mood can be adversely affected.
Low moods often create cravings for sweet foods, because consuming these foods will momentarily raise serotonin levels in the brain. Recall from our three-part series on the Chemistry of a Craving that this occurs because eating sweets causes a temporary increase of serotonin in the brain, which makes you feel better. Unfortunately, this mood elevation is short lived and creates a vicious cycle of craving and eating sweet foods, which eventually leads to weight gain and feelings of being “out of control.
Achieving proper sex hormone balance is a key to unlocking your health potential. Working with a health care provider that has the training and experience necessary to guide you through this process can minimize the frustration and maximize your results. Please contact us if you’d like more information; we’d love to help you.
