See some women’s don’t like that there menopause coming up, as there bodies change and for some as I mentioned earlier its good time.

Menopause symptoms are caused by changes in progesterone and estrogen levels.

Menopause symptoms:

Some experience sudden halt, but more commonly women experience menopause coming over slowly in time. Menstrual period cycle affects, periods may be widely spaced or vice versa and happen more closely. This Menopause symptom can last one to three years before the menstruation ends completely.

Common symptoms:

• Hot flashes
• Skin flushing
• Heart pounding or racing
• Night sweats
• Sleeping problems (insomnia)
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Dry skin and hair
• Anxiety
• bone density loss

Other symptoms:

• Decreased interest in sex, possibly decreased response to sexual stimulation
• Forgetfulness (in some women)
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Mood swings including irritability, depression, and anxiety
• Urine leakage
• Fibroids
• Vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse
• Vaginal infections
• Joint aches and pains
• Irregular heartbeat/ palpitations

Menopause Weight gain:

A 3- year study of fit women, who were nearing menopause, had findings that there is an average gain of five pounds, during premenstrual and menstrual pause of the three years. Hormonal changes and aging are both possible factors in this weight gain.

As women ages, generally they tend to gain weight. Though it this is not inevitable. And also after menopause weight gain, you can minimize weight. It is generally in years after 35, that maintaining the usual weight gets difficult and the waist is increasing. In weight gain in menopause its harder to loose and more over it all gets accumulated in abdomen and hips and thighs.

Balancing hormones is the key factor for loosing excess weight and or even maintaining weight. The imbalance of hormones is caused by perimenopause and menopause. Therefore it is vital for your success in maintaining a healthier weight you need to be diligent about maintaining diet, nutrition’s, and healthy lifestyle. Hormones effecting weight gain is closely related, as hormones are not balanced, specially with too much cortisol or too little of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, causing you to gain weight.

Adding to woman’s plight and difficulty in weight loss at times is Insulin resistance and even stress during menopause. Insulin resistance happens when a woman’s bodies improperly switch every calorie into fat; this is an intense case of estrogen correction. Overtime, your body defies the insulin produced in blood stream and therefore occurrence of weight gain.

Stress is also a causative factor to menopause weight. High stress, when your body experience, your body gets into panic mode, in this state body is preventing weight loss. Basically, the reason for the weight gain during the stress is that body begins to accumulate food in form of fats since the stress hormones cortisol which is in high levels signals the body that you would not be eating again for some long time. These are collection of stored calories and fats together result in weight gain. Stress hormones leading to weight gain is a regular problem among women.

Also there is a study which gives evidence that weight gain after menopause, has shown signs of increases in breast cancer risk. Statistics shows that women who gain weight surplus of 20 pounds after menopause, there is an increase in them having a breast cancer risk by nearly 20 percent. Also it was noted that, if there is losing of weight after menopause, chances can reduce of breast cancer risk.

For loosing weight gained during menopause, you need to be hardworking and very much determined in first case. Reversing this weight gain, follow strict healthy eating practices have active lifestyle and keep up a routine.

How it affects on weight?

During a menopause the hormones of a women’s body tend to change faster as before, this leads to various changes in the lifestyle & bodily abilities. Gaining weight during menopause is a common type of hormonal change. It may become difficult to maintain or reach to the numbers you had before. Increase in weight is because of the fluctuating levels of estrogen, progesterone, androgen & testosterone. Many females may observe the change in their weight during perimenopausal stage itself, perimenopausal stage is the span of 2 to 15 years followed by menopause. ie. In the late 30s. During menopause period focus should be on keeping yourself healthy.

Aging does matter

It is true that hormonal changes affect the female’s body, during a period of menopause. But only hormones are not responsible. Aging factor also shares a contribution for gaining weight during menopause. Others factors that contribute are genetics & stress also. As far as genetic factors are concerned, its difficult to manage your genes, but still you can give it a try by having nutritional intake, exercise & changes in lifestyle. Stress is also a major factor that can cause increase in weight. It all depends on how you respond to stress. Stress hormones send signals to your body when you are under fear. To reduce your weight, you will have to overcome stress by exercising or by just relaxing. This will keep your mental state refreshed & will accordingly help you in maintaining fitness.

From pears to apples

When a woman enters the age of childbearing, they tend to accumulate more fats in the hips, in the further stage i.e after bearing child, the level of androgen hormones increases leaving middle age spread, an extra padding around your waist. This will not only affect your weight but will also change your shape from pear to apple. These changes may be harmful in your rest of the life; they may invite certain health problems like increase in the level of cholesterol & blood pressure. These changes may increase the risk of diabetes & heart related diseases. Putting on weight during menopause may also increase the chances of breast cancer. Weight loss is the only option available.

Burn calories

To lose weight it is very important to burn calories. During the period of menopause women may experience dropping levels of testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone that is present in both men & women, men have them in larger numbers than females. Lower the level of testosterone lower will be the amount of muscles. Fewer muscles in body will lower the rate of metabolism, this will make the calories burn slower. Working out is very essential, your workout chart should be loaded with cardio & strength training exercises. Those exercises will burn calories & will boost metabolism rate.

Healthy diet

The menopause period is a very crucial period in a women’s life, where she should focused on her day to day activities & diet. Healthy eating will generate energy & boost the metabolism rate which will keep her refreshed. Healthy eating includes more fruits & vegetables. Healthy eating does not mean frequent eating. Again it depends on your age, as your age passes on the calorie requirement of your body reduces. Your focus should be more on having proportionate diet. Avoid being insulin resistant, intake of high amount of carbohydrates & processed foods will increase the risk of insulin resistance, especially if you are undergoing a menopause period. This will turn your carbohydrate calories in to fats which will result in increased weight. Adequate intake if lean proteins are advisable. Reduce the portion of starchy carbohydrates from your meal. Sufficient amount of calcium in your body will protect you from gaining weight & will reduce the risk of osteoporosis. To increase the calcium levels, avoid excessive intake of calcium supplements, rather go for low-fat dairy food items.

Shift your thinking to eating healthy with more fruits and vegetables. Eating less is probably a good idea as well. A 40-year-old body needs about 200 calories less than a 20-year-old body, but there’s no need to starve yourself. Just focus on smaller portions of healthy foods. If your eating habits haven’t been so great up until now, beware of insulin resistance. High carbohydrate, processed foods can increase your risk of insulin resistance during menopause. With insulin resistance, your body starts turning carb calories into fat. Try eating fewer starchy carbs and more lean protein. And don’t forget the calcium, which not only helps protect you from osteoporosis, but also helps prevents weight gain. Don’t just depend on calcium supplements; get calcium from low-fat dairy foods as well.