According to the NHS, the average age for a woman to start the menopause is 51 but ‘the change’ commonly begins anywhere between the ages of 45-55, however, this can be older or younger depending on the woman.
The menopause is something many females dread starting, usually due to the fear of the unknown which combined with all the horror stories you hear from women who have already been through it, it’s understandable why this would be an anxiety-inducing time.
Although symptoms such as hot flushes, difficulty sleeping and mood swings aren’t enjoyable things to experience, one of the main things women fear when they start the menopause is the weight gain but luckily for you, the team here at Bodyline Clinic are experienced with helping women in this position and we’re here to support you.
Menopause Weight Gain – Why is My Body Changing?
It doesn’t matter what the cause, experience weight gain is never pleasant and going through a total body shape change can be a massive knock to your confidence but if you are going through the menopause, you can take comfort in the knowledge that this isn’t necessarily your fault and is caused by what your body is going through.
According to an article by HealthLine during the perimenopausal stage, the part of your life where you are transitioning into the menopause. Although some women don’t gain weight at all and others gain more, these figures suggest that most women will experience an increase of weight to some degree and it is suggested that women already overweight, will experience more weight gain.
The reason menopausal weight gain is quite noticeable is because of the common way the weight is carried, deep in the abdomen which creates the classic ‘apple shaped’ body. No matter what body shape you’ve been during your premenopausal years, most women going through the change will carry any gained weight in this middle area which is a fat type known as ‘visceral fat’.
Due to the fact this is a fat carried deeper within the body, it can cause a number of health complications, including:
- Causing blood vessel to narrow and blood pressure to rise
- Increasing insulin resistance
- Triggering inflammation which can be linked to heart conditions such as heart disease
- Contributing to sexual dysfunction
- Increasing your risk of some cancers
Although menopausal weight gain often isn’t your fault, it is more difficult to shift this weight as your body cells change during this time, becoming able to store more fat yet being slower to release it. Combine this with your decreased muscle mass and therefore lower calorie burn, losing this weight instantly becomes a bigger challenge.
Menopause and Diabetes – The Connection
Before anyone reading this becomes fearful of developing diabetes during their menopause, this is not a given for all women. According to a study by Women’s Health, however, they do state that women who are over 45 or have been through the menopause are at an increased risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
As we said above, getting type 2 diabetes is not just part of the menopause and it completely preventable. Gaining a lot of weight, particularly around the stomach, is the main reason women who have been through the menopause develop this type of diabetes but if you maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle during these years, you can avoid it.
How Bodyline Clinic Are Battling Menopause Weight Gain
Here at Bodyline Clinic, we’re with you as a support through the menopause to help avoid weight gain, deal with any weight gain and therefore, help to reduce the issues that come with menopausal weight gain.
Bodyline has recently introduced a brand new weight loss product to the range of products we prescribe to our clients, known as the SlimPen. An innovative new product developed by USA scientists containing a peptide called Liraglutide, branded as Saxenda, this FDA approved treatment is proven as effective in reducing body weight, decreasing visceral fat and lowering systolic blood pressure.
As well as the above beneficial effects of using our brand new SlimPen, this Saxenda based product can also help with reducing insulin resistance which will, in turn, reduce your chances of contracting type 2 diabetes.
The Saxenda SlimPen activates the areas of your brain that regulate your appetite to help cut cravings and make you feel less hungry which allows you to naturally want for less food and therefore, lose unwanted weight.
Try the SlimPen for Yourself at Bodyline Clinic
Contact your local Bodyline Clinic to find out more about the SlimPen and whether it could be the right option for you as you go through the menopause.
