Is Weight Gain a Sign of Menopause?

Menopause is a term used to describe the period of a woman's life when she is ending menstruation and moving out of the stage when she can reproduce. Menopause typically occurs after age 40, but can occur sooner.

Weight Gain

• Weight gain can be a sign of menopause. Studies have found that women gain an average of 12 to 15 pounds during menopause.

Reason

• Weight gain occurs during menopause because a woman's metabolism slows during her 40s and 50s, which means her body isn't burning fat as efficiently. Hormonal changes during menopause also can cause weight gain.

Risks

• Weight gain during menopause increases a woman's risk of developing breast cancer by about 20 percent.

Fighting the Bulge

• As at any age, weight gain during menopause can be prevented or reduced by eating a healthy diet and by exercising. However, women facing menopause may find that the extra pounds refuse to budge, unless the women step up their exercise and diet regime. What they've been doing for years may no longer be enough to lose the weight.

Other Considerations

• If you gain weight during menopause, you should be tested for hypothyroidism. The risk of developing this condition increases with a woman's age.