PCOS or thyroid issues could be at play
It's no secret that hormones directly impact your health and well-being, and even the slightest fluctuation can cause skin changes, mood shifts, and even weight gain—especially around the waistline. Enter
'hormonal belly,'
which refers to excess weight around the abdomen due to hormonal changes. Although 'hormonal belly' is not a medical term (despite what social media says!), doctors say it's entirely possible to gain weight in your stomach due to hormonal imbalances.
What causes hormonal belly, exactly, and how do you know if you have it? If you've experienced a big hormone change recently (think: birth control, menopause, thyroid issues), your weight gain could be a symptom. This isn't always the case, though, and it may simply be a result of where your body holds fat. Certain people tend to deposit more in the belly than in other areas. If you're curious why you can't lose stomach fat and keep gaining weight around your wasit area, you're not alone. Ahead, doctors share what causes hormonal belly, signs of hormone-related belly fat, and how to lose weight around your midsection in a safe way.
What is hormonal belly?
Hormonal belly is typically a result of—you guessed it—changes in your hormones, which are pretty important considering how hormones can completely alter how your body functions. Hormones are signals that communicate [with eachother] to keep our bodies functioning optimally. [They help] maintain all aspects of your health, including your appetite and satiety, general metabolism, reproduction, and more. As mentioned, hormonal belly isn't a distinct medical condition, and in most cases, weight gain around your waistline is usually not caused by hormones alone. 'Most of the time, belly fat gain is a reflection of a combination of factors, and less commonly due to one specific hormone. But if you notice sudden, excess belly fat that doesn't appear linked to changes in your nutrition, sleep, or fitness habits, you could be dealing with a hormone issue.
What causes a hormonal belly?
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormones to meet your body's needs. It can cause the following symptoms, according to the NHS:
weight gain
trouble tolerating cold
joint and muscle pain
dry skin or dry, thinning hair
heavy or irregular menstrual periods or fertility problems
slowed heart rate
depression
An underactive thyroid is 'more common in women' and 'can also be associated with a slower metabolism and modest weight gain. A blood test is the most accurate way to see if you're dealing with a thyroid issue, so always consult your healthcare provider if you're concerned.
Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing’s is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of the stress hormone cortisol (a.k.a. the stress hormone). It is rare—only 1 in 5 million have it. Symptoms can include:
weight gain
thin arms and legs
a round face
increased fat around the base of the neck
a fatty hump between the shoulders
easy bruising
wide purple stretch marks, mainly on the stomach, breasts, hips, and under the arms
weak muscles
As always, consult your doctor if you have excess belly fat and suspect you may have Cushing's syndrome. The condition can be tough to diagnose, but your doc will likely look at your medical history, conduct a physical exam, and run lab tests (think: blood, urine, and/or saliva) to see what's going on.
Menopause
Menopause is when you stop having periods and your ovaries stop making oestrogen. 'As women age and estrogen, the female reproductive hormone, is depleted, there can be changes to the metabolism of fat that can lead to belly fat gain. Symptoms of menopause can include the following (but don't always),
hot flashes
sleep problems
vaginal dryness
irregular periods
night sweats
mood changes
If you're going through menopause right now, consult your doctor for a plan of action that's right for you.
PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes symptoms like irregular periods, infertility, obesity, and excess hair growth. It’s believed to be caused by insulin resistance, increased levels of hormones called androgens, and an irregular menstrual cycle, which could contribute to the buildup of belly fat. Apart from irregular ovulation and increased androgen levels, potential markers of PCOS include excessive hair growth (hirsutism), thinning hair, oily skin or acne, cysts on the ovaries (although not required for diagnosis), fertility issues, and weight gain (including around the abdomen). If you're concerned your belly fat may be due to hormonal changes associated with PCOS, make an appointment with your provider to run some lab tests.
What are the signs of a hormonal belly?
It can be tough to know if hormones are behind your sudden weight gain. If you notice more fat accumulating around your waist and lower abdomen, it could be a sign of hormone changes (but remember, not always!). Before seeing your doc, ask yourself if you have any of the following symptoms:
Excess belly fat (even with a consistent, healthy diet and exercise)
Trouble tolerating hot or cold temperatures
Irregular (or nonexistent) periods
Ongoing bloating and/or digestive issues
Frequent mood swings
Sleep issues
Vaginal dryness
High levels of stress
Examining the context of the weight gain and sometimes checking certain blood tests can give insights into the cause and the best way to treat it. For example, if your belly fat is linked to hypothyroidism, you’ll likely have other symptoms linked to the condition, like trouble tolerating the cold and constipation. Regardless, make note of any and all symptoms you're having and present them to your healthcare provider to see if there could be a hormonal issue at play.
How to reduce hormonal belly fat
It’s important to note that 'there’s no way to just target belly fat,' says. Just like your face feels puffy or you gain water weight from time to time, your stomach can experience changes, too—but it's nearly impossible to lose weight just in your belly. Still, if you’ve developed belly fat and you suspect that it’s hormone-related, here's what to do, per experts:
See your doctor. 'If there is an abnormal condition, it needs to be evaluated and corrected. That means if you’re gaining weight and you suspect hormones may be a factor, treating the underlying hormonal imbalance can make it more likely that you’ll be able to lose the belly fat.
Ramp up your fibre intake. Fibre can help you feel fuller longer, and also helps keep things moving in your GI tract. This can help reduce feelings of puffiness and help your tummy health overall.
Minimise processed foods. Processed foods tend to be packed with calories and are low in nutrients, and eating too many of them can lead to weight gain. If you want to reduce excess belly fat, try limiting or avoiding these types of foods.
Manage calorie intake. Calorie-counting isn't the end-all, be-all answer for weight loss, but keeping tabs on how many calories you take in can go a long way toward helping you lose weight in some cases. Overall, most gain in belly fat is due to increase in caloric intake,' she points out. By trying something like the 80/20 diet, volume eating, or even trying lower-calorie meals, you can start to learn more about how your body is retaining the food and beverages you consume.
Exercise regularly. If your goal is to lose weight, aim to meet or exceed the recommended 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise and incorporate two days of strength training activity per week. This can help you lose fat and gain muscle, feel stronger, and increase body awareness—all of which are great ways to help you lose weight (and boost confidence).
Remember: While it’s entirely possible that your belly fat could be the result of a hormonal imbalance, it's rarely the only contributing factor. Hormones can certainly contribute to weight gain, but they are not the only reason for weight gain. Diet and exercise play a role, too. Still, if you suspect you may have developed a belly due to hormonal imbalance, reach out to your doctor for guidance.
Adapted from: WH
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