The Role of Estrogen Dominance in Perimenopause Weight Gain and Belly Fat

Many of us have stereotypes of what middle-age looks like. For men, it usually involves baldness with an atrocious comb-over and a spare tire hanging from their mid-section. Women may not have issues with baldness, but we almost always have elastic waistbands to accommodate an every expanding midriff that goes as far out in front of us as it does behind.

When women become middle-aged and enter perimenopause, weight gain is a very real and present problem. The bigger problem, however, is that far too many of us simply accept it as just the way it is, resigning ourselves to do nothing about it. Except, of course, complain.

But, contrary to our stereotypes, weight gain in perimenopause is not a given. Yes, it does become more of a challenge to manage, but it is not an insurmountable problem. If you've been struggling with perimenopause weight gain, there is something you can do about it. But, before you can, it's important to understand exactly what causes it.

Estrogen Dominance in Perimenopause

In his groundbreaking book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, Dr. John Lee, MD., a pioneer in the field of bio-identical hormone replacement, coined the term "estrogen dominance."

According to Dr. Lee, estrogen dominance occurs in perimenopause when estrogen is unopposed by dropping and/or fluctuating progesterone levels. Furthermore, according to Dr. Lee, estrogen dominance is the culprit for many of the nasty symptoms women complain about during perimenopause, weight gain and belly fat included.

Estrogen Dominance Turns Your Body into a "Fat Magnet"

In his book, From Belly Fat to Belly Flat: How Your Hormones are Adding Inches to Your Waistline and Subtracting Years from Your Life, Dr. C.W. Randolph, MD, makes an excellent case for estrogen dominance, fluctuating hormones, and weight gain.

According to Dr. Randolph, too much estrogen circulating in the body produces body fat. In turn, fat tissue produces and stores more estrogen, in addition to containing an enzyme which converts adrenal steroids to even more estrogen.

When there is too much estrogen present, your body's ability to adequately metabolize fat is compromised, which means more estrogen is produced, which means, you've got it - more fat. This cycle then continues to repeat itself over and over again, literally turning your body into a self-perpetuating fat magnet.

What to Do?

Given the fat-producing-estrogen-producing cycle that occurs when hormones are imbalanced, fighting perimenopause weight gain and belly fat may sound like a losing proposition, but, it really isn't. In fact, both Doctors Lee and Randolph believe that a simple understanding of the role of foods and exercise in balancing your hormones is one the easiest and first things that women should do.

Unfortunately, Western culture is a fast-food, processed food, get-it-done-quick society. We are so busy burning the candle at both ends that we've lost the connection between wholesome food, good sleep, exercise, drinking enough water, and how we feel.

Compound this with the fact that we are inundated with health and wellness knowledge and most of us have simply become desensitized to the fact that simple changes can have a huge impact on our health. Yet, the truth is, food, exercise and sleep are three of the most powerful things a woman can do to help balance her hormones and get weight gain under control.

Finally, also according to Doctors Lee and Randolph, introducing a bio-identical progesterone will help offset estrogen dominance as well. While no one will promise that you will get your twenty-year old body back, if you are willing to implement serious changes in your diet, incorporating more exercise into your daily routine, and getting enough sleep, you will stand a fighting chance in winning the middle-age battle of the bulge.

Sources:

Associated Content.com

Mayo Clinic.com

Hormone Well.com

Dr. John R. Lee.com