Low estradiol levels during adolescence, perimenopause, and menopause can cause or contribute to weight gain. Conversely, consistently high estradiol levels, such as during pregnancy or metabolic problems, often increase appetite. Anovulatory states related to low or constant levels of estradiol are associated with increased appetite. A decrease in the level of estradiol, an estrogen hormone, can cause weight gain or difficulty with lose weight.
Other factors can also affect estrogen levels. Obesity among women is a global problem. The comorbidities associated with it decrease their quality and life expectancy. Estradiol is crucial not only in reproductive function, but also for the regulation of body weight.
Normal levels of periovulatory estradiol have been shown to have anorexigenic effects. Conversely, stages in a woman's life, such as adolescence, perimenopause, and menopause, which are associated with a reduction in estradiol, are also associated with weight gain. Conditions, such as pregnancy, in which estradiol levels are high, are a high-risk period in which susceptible women are at greater risk of developing metabolic comorbidities, such as obesity and gestational diabetes. In addition, ovulatory dysfunction, such as that which occurs in polycystic ovary syndrome, is associated with weight gain and insulin resistance.
Estradiol regulates body weight by decreasing appetite and increasing feelings of satiety. Estradiol controls appetite by acting on specific hypothalamic nuclei, such as ARC or LH. Estradiol also interacts with peripherally synthesized peptides, such as CCK, leptin, and insulin. One of these mediators, GLP-1, acts similar to estradiol and, potentially, synergistically with it.
Although GLP-1 analogs were initially characterized as antidiabetic agents, they are increasingly recognized as anti-obesity agents. The reduction in weight gain when GLP-1 analogs are administered is partly explained by their effects on the CNS. The synergistic effects of GLP-1 analogs combined with estradiol conjugates are promising. If transferred to human studies, these conjugates could help women maintain a healthy body weight and preserve their mental function.
This may be particularly important for women whose estradiol levels are abnormal, perhaps as a result of ovarian dysfunction, or whose estradiol levels decrease, as part of the normal decline in estradiol during menopause. GLP-1-estradiol analogs may be used in the future to improve central insulin sensitivity. As central insulin resistance appears to be a risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders, these analogs could offer interesting ways of protection against neurodegeneration and diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. In view of the above, future lines of research should focus on the appropriate dose, timing, safety and frequency when administering GLP-1 analogs and conjugated estradiol as a treatment for body weight disorders.
Estrogen levels that are too low or too high can contribute to weight gain or weight fluctuations. This is because estrogen plays a role in cholesterol metabolism, glucose metabolism, and insulin sensitivity. All of these factors can influence factors such as appetite, hunger, satiety and energy levels, which in turn can affect body weight. Weight gain is associated with underlying hormonal imbalances. In men, hormonal weight gain may be due to high levels of stress or cortisol in the body.
Increased cortisol levels can push the body into survival mode and induce the production of fat cells, which will cause a decrease in metabolism to store food for later use. In women, a specific estrogen called estradiol decreases during menopause and helps regulate metabolism and body weight. The lower the estradiol levels, they can cause weight gain. Throughout a woman's life, she may notice weight gain around her hips and thighs.
Estradiol is the main estrogen hormone. When a woman begins menopause, estradiol production decreases. Since this is the hormone that helps regulate appetite, metabolism, and weight, an increase is more likely to occur of weight. Lower levels of estrogen make it difficult to lose weight.
On the other hand, if there is too much estrogen, this can lead to increased fluid retention and appetite. Finding the perfect hormone balance is key to maintaining a healthy weight. Medications can help alleviate symptoms related to weight gain, such as increased appetite, or moderate excessive hormone levels. Very often, an endocrinologist can help you reverse weight gain associated with hormonal imbalances.
It's critical to stress that addressing hormonal weight gain through a combination of lifestyle changes, medical interventions, and professional guidance can mitigate these risks and improve physical and mental health. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can also be an important component of maintaining a healthy weight. These hormones decrease more dramatically around menopause and can cause some unpleasant but common symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood changes, vaginal dryness, and weight gain. If your family members also have more weight in the midsection, especially after menopause, you're more likely to do it too if nothing is done to prevent it.
While having a glass of wine or a cocktail once in a while won't completely lose your hormones, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends not consuming more than one alcoholic beverage a day to avoid harming the body. An evaluation with an endocrinologist can help determine if a hormonal condition is the underlying cause of weight gain. This increase in estrogen is what triggers the development of certain sexual characteristics, such as breast growth, weight gain around the hips, and hair growth in the armpits and pubic area. If you're committed to making the necessary lifestyle changes to control hormonal weight gain, but you're still not making progress after 3 to 6 months, it's time to talk to a doctor.
In addition, improving dietary options, increasing physical activity, sleeping more, managing stress levels effectively, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption are ways to decrease and avoid hormonal weight gain. Decreased estrogen, adrenal disorders, hormonal resistance, thyroid imbalance, and several other hormonal imbalances can lead to weight gain. Requesting an early evaluation with an endocrinologist so that appropriate interventions can be initiated as soon as possible will help minimize and possibly reverse hormonal weight gain.
