Menopause and Weight Gain: How Your Hormones Affect Your Metabolism—and What You Can Do About It

Have you noticed you're gaining weight even though your diet and routine haven’t changed? Is it harder to lose fat—especially around your abdomen—since entering menopause or andropause? You’re not alone. One of the most common and frustrating symptoms during this stage is weight gain, often caused by a hormonal imbalance.

At Elán Med Center, we help you understand how your hormones impact your metabolism and what natural solutions can help you regain balance.

1. The Role of Hormones in Your Metabolism

Starting around age 35 in women and 40 in men, hormone levels begin to gradually decline. This shift directly affects how your body uses energy, burns fat, and regulates appetite.

In women, the drop in estrogen during perimenopause and menopause lowers your basal metabolic rate, encourages abdominal fat storage, and makes it harder to build muscle.

2. Why Are We Gaining Weight Even if We're Eating the Same?

Because your body doesn’t respond the same way anymore. Insulin resistance, elevated cortisol due to chronic stress, or even undiagnosed hypothyroidism can slow down your metabolism.

At this stage, it’s also more common to experience resistance to leptin (the satiety hormone) and ghrelin (the hunger hormone), which can increase cravings, reduce feelings of fullness, and lead to more fat storage.

3. Natural Strategies to Support Metabolism and Manage Weight

✅ Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

At Elán Med, we perform personalized evaluations to determine if your weight gain is hormone-related. BHRT—made with 100% natural and safe ingredients—can help rebalance estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, or thyroid hormones, and reignite your metabolism.

✅ Natural Supplements That Work:

• Alpha Lipoic Acid: Enhances insulin sensitivity and protects collagen (great if you also want to care for your skin).

• B-Complex Vitamins: Essential for energy metabolism, reducing fatigue, and improving fat burning.

• Kelp (natural iodine): Supports thyroid function, especially in cases of subclinical hypothyroidism.

• Coenzyme Q10: Boosts cellular energy production and fights oxidative stress.

• Berberine: Helps regulate blood sugar levels and supports fat metabolism—key during menopause.

• Magnesium: Crucial for muscle relaxation, better sleep, and hormonal balance.

• Potassium: Supports fluid balance, cardiovascular health, and muscle function.

• Gugulipid: Derived from the resin of the Commiphora mukul plant, known to help regulate cholesterol and support thyroid function.

All these supplements are available at Elán Med with professional guidance tailored to your needs.

4. Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition and Gut Health

What you eat also influences your hormones. That’s why we recommend:

• Reducing sugar, processed foods, and excessive dairy.

• Incorporating healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, omega-3s).

• Increasing fiber, vegetables, and probiotic-rich foods to support your gut microbiome—crucial for regulating estrogen and cortisol.

Internal inflammation also encourages abdominal fat accumulation. That’s why it’s essential to reduce it through functional nutrition and, when needed, personalized detox protocols available at Elán Med.

If you're going through menopause or andropause and struggling to maintain your weight despite your efforts, your hormones may be playing a bigger role than you realize. The good news? There are natural, safe solutions to help you get back in balance.

At Elán Med Center, we combine science, anti-aging medicine, and a personalized approach to help you feel your best at every stage of life.

Feeling identified? Book your consultation today.