If you’ve been finding it a lot easier to gain weight as you get older — and a lot harder to lose it — you’re not alone. Statistics show that both women and men are more likely to gain weight as they age, even without eating more or becoming less physically active. The reason is hormones.
Hormones, which play key roles in just about every aspect of your health, can play a role in weight gain, too. In fact, hormone imbalances pack a one-two punch when it comes to managing weight, making it both easier to gain weight and harder to lose it and keep it off.
The good news is that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help you rebalance your hormones, so you can enjoy a healthier, more confident life. In this blog, the health professionals at Woodlands Wellness and Cosmetic Center in The Woodlands, Texas, explain what hormone replacement therapy is and how it may be able to help you get control of your weight.
Hormones and your weight
Your hormones can affect your weight in multiple ways. Both estrogen and testosterone have a direct effect on your metabolism, which is the process your body uses to burn calories and fat. When your hormone levels drop, so can your ability to effectively and efficiently burn off excess calories from the foods you eat. More calories are available to turn into fat, and that means you can wind up gaining weight even if your diet remains the same.
At the same time, a decline in hormones often causes a decrease in muscle mass, which can make it harder — and more tiring — to stay physically active. Furthermore, if your muscle mass declines, this can make it harder for your body to burn through as many calories as it used to, which can contribute to weight gain even if you still maintain the same level of activity.
Certainly, excess pounds and flab can have a big impact on your self-confidence and your self-esteem. But gaining weight — even just a few pounds — can also have a direct effect on your health, making you more prone to serious medical problems as you get older. In fact, data show that belly fat especially is associated with a greater risk of heart disease in both women and men.
Other symptoms of a hormonal imbalance
Weight gain is just one side effect of a hormonal imbalance. Other symptoms can include:
- Poor sleep
- Headaches
- Problems focusing
- Fatigue
- Decreased libido
Many symptoms of a hormonal imbalance are subtle, and it can be easy to write them off as “natural” effects of aging. But the fact is, your body is designed to work with specific levels of hormones, and once those levels start to decline, the symptoms can start to appear.
Hormone replacement therapy
No matter if you’re a man or woman, and no matter your age, hormone replacement therapy can rebalance your hormone levels to help your body function at its best. Our treatments use bioidentical hormones. This means the hormones in our treatments have the same chemical structure as the hormones your body naturally produces. Plus, HRT can be adjusted and customized for your needs, so you’ll receive the best dose for your health and wellness.
Hormone replacement therapy is available in multiple methods, including pills, creams, and injections. Many patients opt for pellets implanted just under the surface of the skin. While they’re in place, they release a steady, predictable flow of hormones to help stabilize hormone levels and help the body function the way it’s supposed to function. The pellets are implanted in a simple process in our office using a local numbing agent, and they only need to be replaced every 3-4 months.
Hormonal imbalances can greatly affect your weight and the rest of your health. Hormone replacement therapy can balance your hormone levels so you can enjoy better health and wellness. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Woodlands Wellness and Cosmetic Center today.
