Does menopause make your stomach big?

The hormonal changes of menopause might make you more likely to gain weight around your abdomen than around your hips and thighs. But, hormonal changes alone don't necessarily cause menopause weight gain. Instead, the weight gain is usually related to aging, as well as lifestyle and genetic factors.


Why does your stomach get bigger during menopause?

This is likely due to a decreasing level of estrogen, which appears to influence where fat is distributed in the body. The tendency to gain or carry weight around the waist — and have an "apple" rather than a "pear" shape — might have a genetic component as well.

How do you get rid of menopause belly fat?

Start with a mix of moderate and vigorous exercise to burn off menopausal weight gain. Your routine should include aerobic exercises like swimming, walking, bicycling, and running, as well as resistance or strength training. “What you want to employ now is high-intensity interval training (HIIT),” Dr. Peeke says.


Will my menopause belly go away?

Menopause weight gain often appears without any apparent behavior change. But it doesn't go away on its own. Instead, like any other weight loss, losing menopause weight requires you to expend more calories than you take in.

Does menopause make your stomach swell?

You may experience bloating during perimenopause and menopause. It may be the result of fluctuating hormones during this period of your life. You're likely to experience less bloating after menopause when your ovaries stop making estrogen and progesterone, and your body maintains a lower level of hormones.


Dr. Ekta Kapoor - Menopause and Weight Gain



What does menopause belly feel like?

Menopausal bloating

Your abdomen may shift and enlarge throughout the day, depending on what you've been eating. Water retention or gas retention can be the source of this type of bloating. This bloating is not weight gain, per se, and it might resemble bloating that you're used to from when you had your period.

What can I take for menopause bloating?

What to do if you experience bloating
  • Drink peppermint tea. Peppermint is excellent for mitigating bloated stomachs and alleviating gas torments. ...
  • Drinking ginger tea. ...
  • Get active. ...
  • Changing your eating habits. ...
  • Avoiding certain foods. ...
  • Meditating. ...
  • Drinking lots of water. ...
  • Exercising regularly.


What are the 3 stages of menopause?

There are three stages of menopause: perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause.
  • Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause. ...
  • Menopause occurs when you've stopped producing the hormones that cause your menstrual period and have gone without a period for 12 months in a row.


Why have I suddenly gained weight in my stomach?

Some causes may be related to stress, alcohol consumption, or medications. Other causes can be a result of health conditions like hypothyroidism or PCOS. Many causes of stomach swelling and weight gain can be treated with lifestyle changes and medications. However, others, such as ascites, can be serious.

What is menopause belly called?

Midsection weight gain (aka “meno belly”) in perimenopause and menopause is real – and frustrating. It often feels like this stubborn weight just isn't going anywhere, no matter how much you diet or exercise.

What causes big stomach in females?

Causes include poor diet, lack of exercise, and short or low-quality sleep. A healthy diet and active lifestyle can help people lose excess belly fat and lower the risk of problems associated with it.


What is the average weight gain during menopause?

On average, women gain 5-8% of their baseline body weight during this time,” she says. For the sake of simple math, this means if you weigh 100 pounds, on average you will gain five pounds in the two years after your final period. If you weigh 200 pounds, you are expected to gain at least 10 pounds.

Does menopause change your body shape?

Many women will experience changes in body shape and composition at menopause. These changes can be among the most frustrating symptoms experienced at that time. Although actual weight gain may be modest for many women, it can add significantly to the burden for those women who are already overweight or obese.

Why do I feel bloated all the time and my stomach enlarged?

It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up. Your menstrual cycle is another common cause of temporary bloating. Sometimes a bloated stomach can indicate a more serious medical condition.


Why do women's bellies get bigger with age?

Many women also notice an increase in belly fat as they get older — even if they aren't gaining weight. This is likely due to a decreasing level of estrogen, which appears to influence where fat is distributed in the body.

Why is my stomach getting bigger but I'm not gaining weight?

We tend to lose muscle mass, so our abdominal muscles aren't as tight as they once were, and the loss of elastin and collagen in our skin allows gravity to have its way so skin starts to sag. Both can cause the waistline to expand.

How do you get a hormonal belly?

Sometimes, excess fat around the belly is due to hormones. Hormones help regulate many bodily functions, including metabolism, stress, hunger, and sex drive. If a person has a deficiency in certain hormones, it may result in weight gain around the abdomen, which is known as a hormonal belly.


What are the 1st signs of menopause?

Symptoms
  • Irregular periods.
  • Vaginal dryness.
  • Hot flashes.
  • Chills.
  • Night sweats.
  • Sleep problems.
  • Mood changes.
  • Weight gain and slowed metabolism.


At what age does menopause usually end?

Understanding the menopausal transition

The menopausal transition most often begins between ages 45 and 55. It usually lasts about seven years but can be as long as 14 years. The duration can depend on lifestyle factors such as smoking, age it begins, and race and ethnicity.

What are signs that menopause has ended?

Women also often ask me, "What are the signs that menopause is finally over?" Usually, you'll just notice that you start to feel better. Your symptoms will have eased off or stopped. You'll feel more like yourself or you'll just feel better overall.


What is the best probiotic for menopausal bloating?

The star of the show is Lactobacillus Acidophilus. This particular probiotic strain is well-studied and is proven to help improve women digestive health in many ways. Not only does it promote regularity and reduce bloating, but it can also help with your immunity.

What is the best diet for a menopausal woman?

The Bottom Line

A whole-foods diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, high-quality protein and dairy products may reduce menopause symptoms. Phytoestrogens and healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids from fish, may also help.

Does menopause weight gain go away?

In fact, many women gain weight around the menopause transition. Menopause weight gain isn't inevitable, however. You can reverse course by paying attention to healthy-eating habits and leading an active lifestyle.


Does your body go back to normal after menopause?

In postmenopause, symptoms of menopause may have eased or stopped entirely, but some women continue to have symptoms for longer. The change in your body's hormones however is a sign to keep looking after your health and wellbeing, and be mindful to listen to your body.

What is the best exercise for menopause?

Try brisk walking, jogging, biking, swimming or water aerobics. If you're a beginner, start with 10 minutes a day and gradually increase the intensity and duration. Strength training. Regular strength training can help you reduce body fat, strengthen your muscles and burn calories more efficiently.