Low Hormone Levels and Weight Gain

Low hormone levels can cause a range of problems and are usually the reason for weight gain in women. Women have so many hormones controlling their minds and bodies; specifically estrogen and progesterone which are involved with a woman’s reproductive system, menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. If these hormones become imbalanced then it can be easy for a woman to gain weight. However, it is common for hormones to become imbalanced; there are a number of reasons why this imbalance can take place. We are here to explain why and how hormones are associated with weight gain and what you can do to help control the weight gain you experience!

 

What are the Symptoms of Having Low Levels of Estrogen?

Estrogen is a hormone that is primarily produced in a woman’s ovaries and can also be produced in the adrenal glands. It is a sex hormone found in both men and women but widely attributes to women’s puberty and menstrual periods. Estrogen in all genders is necessary for sexual development and reproduction, however, estrogen levels can become imbalanced causing effects such as weight gain, heightened emotions, and regular changes in mood. This is because many hormones help to protect our brains and subsequently the feelings we experience… a little imbalance can seem to send us all over the place! Fluctuating hormones are completely normal; our bodies don’t always get the chemistry right and factors such as ageing can play a big part in our bodies.

There are a variety of symptoms caused by a hormonal imbalance. More specifically, low levels of estrogen can result in weight gain in many women, as well as an increase in stress and heightened emotions. The main symptoms of low estrogen include, but are not limited to:

• Weight Gain
• Moodiness
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Irregular Periods
• Hot Flushes
• Vaginal Dryness
• Depression
• Loss of Libido
• Breast Tenderness

These symptoms are definitely not fun to experience and if you find yourself struggling to cope with changes in your body it is important that you seek advice diagnosis or treatment from a medical professional such as your doctor. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to help balance estrogen and other hormones to not only lose weight but to feel happier.

 

What Other Hormones Can Be Imbalanced?

Although it is common for estrogen to be imbalanced within ladies, there are four other hormones that can commonly become imbalanced. These include cortisol, insulin, progesterone and testosterone.

Cortisol is one of our main stress hormones; it helps to increase glucose in our bloodstream to aid our ‘fight or flight response’. The main function of cortisol is to help our bodies respond to stress such as an emergency situation, and can be thanked for the anxiety and stress we feel day to day.

Insulin has much to do with weight and blood sugar levels. Insulin helps to regulate our metabolism by taking glucose from our blood to fat, the liver and other muscles. High insulin levels can lead to weight gain as our bodies take excess glucose and store it in our tissues as fat.

Progesterone is the twin hormone of estrogen; it is a sex hormone that helps with pregnancy and reproduction. Progesterone is the hormone that thickens our uterus lining each month to prepare for the arrival of a fertilised egg.

Finally, testosterone is the main sex hormone for males, but females also have small amounts. Testosterone in women helps to keep our libido high, as well as increasing sexual pleasure so that we are more likely to reproduce.

 

Why do Levels of Estrogen and Other Hormones Change?

There a few different reasons why levels of estrogen and other hormones can become imbalanced or drop. Imbalanced hormones can simply be down to genetics, but can also be caused by external factors that we may be able to control.

Stress

A stressful lifestyle is one of the leading causes of chemical imbalances in our bodies. Stress is mainly controlled by Cortisol and causes us to feel more hungry as the body uses more energy to fight the stress.

Menopause

Menopause is one of the most common reasons for hormonal imbalances in a woman’s body. Menopause takes place when reproductive chemicals decrease and the menstrual cycle comes to an end. This causes a large imbalance of hormones which can result in a lady gaining weight.

Giving Birth

Estrogen levels will remain low once a woman has given birth due to the body’s focus on milk production and a delay in ovulation as the body attempts to prevent immediate pregnancy.

Conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS

Health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome can cause hormones to fluctuate, resulting in weight gain. If you suffer from irregular periods, gain weight easily and are struggling to get pregnant then you should seek medical advice from a doctor as you may have a diagnosis of PCOS.

 

How Can I Help to Balance my Hormones to Avoid Weight Gain?

Many women experience weight gain because of menopause, high levels of stress, genetics and other conditions. Luckily, there is a range of scientific research and health information accessible that highlights the steps women can take to lose weight and maintain a healthy diet during these times.

Exercise Regularly

You may have heard this one time and time again, but that’s because it really is effective! Exercise decreases insulin resistance so that the body effectively removes glucose from our blood and puts it where it should go, rather than having it build up as fat. Exercise is good for our overall health and can help with fast and effective weight loss. Exercise will help boost your mood, reduce tension both mentally and physically as well as help you to sleep better.

Avoid Processed Foods and Sugar

Many of us don’t realise how much food we eat that is processed or contains way too much sugar. Eating a healthy diet with less processed food will be sure to help with weight-related issues. A healthier diet will also mean that you are eating less calories, which is necessary for weight loss.

Consume Green Tea

There is an antioxidant within green tea that increases insulin sensitivity, can support weight loss as part of a balanced diet and can cretae more of a balanced chemistry within our body

Stress Management

As previously mentioned, heightened stress means heightened cortisol levels which can cause weight gain and other symptoms. Managing this is vital for our health and wellness, not only for weight loss but also for the quality of sleep we require.

Eat More Protein

Most of us do not eat enough protein, which is crucial for controlling our hormones and reducing appetite. Reduced appetite keeps us at a healthy weight and means that we are better able to control what we consume.

Get More Sleep

Most of our hormones are affected if we do not get a good night’s sleep. This is because our bodies need sleep to regulate blood pressure and stress. Getting a good night’s sleep is vital at any age and can help with a variety of medical conditions.
Hormones can affect our bodies in so many ways, most noticeably through weight gain, which is why it is especially important for us to exercise and maintain a healthy diet to help control these chemical changes.

Here at The Queen of Health we truly understand how much gaining control of your weight can help you take control of your life. Our clients have had their lives changed for the better and could not recommend our weight loss coaching enough. Find out more about our weight loss coaching online and do not hesitate to contact us to get started!