Menopause, Hormones or Something Else?

Every woman going through menopause knows that weight gain is caused by hormonal changes. But is it only about hormones? Constant stress at work, crazy traffic, endless chores at home, taking care of elderly parents or a daughter getting ready for prom night. Some women are even taking care of parents, children, and grandchildren. Sounds familiar?

Every time I hear people talking about menopausal hormone decline like it was the end of the world, I am thinking about all the other stress factors in menopausal women’s lives. Baby boomer women are facing a lot of challenges. Ever heard of the "sandwich" generation or the „triple sandwich generation”- it’s us.

There are many studies that show that the stress hormone cortisol in women is much higher when exposed to chronic stress than in men. I can hear you saying "I knew it". That's right- women experience much higher level of stress than men. If you don't control the stress, it becomes a sort of distress for the body. As a result, fat will be deposited around the waistline and you will start avoiding all the mirrors. Exposure to high levels of stress hormones can lead to abdominal obesity which is a major risk factor of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Yes, menopausal hormones can make you gain weight but this is mainly linked to the amount of stress you are going through in your live. What needs to be addressed is how to deal with the additional stress related to hysterectomy (if you had one).

I personally believe (as a physician and a baby boomer) that this period of life is a natural one and does not need to be treated as a disease.

Reducing stress, staying fit, and physically active is the key to sailing smoothly through menopause. There are many ways to keep this period of hormonal transition as tolerable as possible.

Start with the free Stress Level Test to find out where you stand.

Copyright Dr. Nelly Stoyanova

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Author's bio: Dr. Nelly Stoyanova is a physician, medical researcher and health behavior expert. She studies the effects of stress on heart disease, type 2 diabetes and sleep. Her website: Belly Fat, Stress and Baby Boomers (http://www.stress-fat-heart-solutions-for-boomers.com) evaluates sources of stress for people over 50 and provides great tips to balance your day-to-day stress and stay healthy. Turn your life around and benefit from her expertise. For individual guidance sessions or to schedule a public speaking event use the Contact page or email at drnstoyanova@gmail.com

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