Do hormones help in weight loss?

While exercise and diet play a crucial role in weight, there are many hormones involved and estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are no exception.  Estrogen has a significant role in cholesterol metabolism, glucose metabolism, and insulin sensitivity.  On the same token, progesterone has an effect on carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism.

As we age, the way adipose tissue (fat) is stored shifts from the hips, bottom, and thighs to being distributed around the abdominal area.  This is because as we age, estrogens and androgen hormones begin to decrease (ovaries and testes decrease hormone production).  In fact, adipose tissue produces estrogen too which complicates the issue of gaining and/or losing weight.

In perimenopause, the first hormone to decrease is progesterone, which can cause estrogen dominance, this also causes adipose tissue to accumulate around the abdomen (see my blog on estrogen dominance for more information).

Things to include in your weight loss journey obviously include diet and exercise, but a hormonal imbalance may be impeding your weight loss journey.  Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy can assist with replacing lost hormones or balancing them.

 Keep in mind, hormones are not right for everyone.  Discuss hormone replacement therapy with your family care provider, or If you would like more information regarding BHRT, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me either through Facebook, email (michkoch75@icloud.com), call, or text 780-512-9329.

Michelle Koch MN:NP