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[Jules]

This is trivial in the scheme of things but has anybody managed to get rid of or reduce a flabby menopause belly? I am not overweight on the scales, 55 kilos,  but over the last 5 years my belly has been gaining fat and I can't get rid of it. I wouldn't mind at all putting weight on in other places. The issue is it is aggravating my hiatus hernia and causing acid reflux, quite bad at times and because I've previously needed investigations, I'm worried and I've had to increase my omeprazole. I find it uncomfortable too. I've tried toning exercises and I've tried cutting down on food but I'd have to near starve to make a difference. Someone told me pilates helped them. Others just say it's my age.

[jaypo]

I HATE my meno belly,like you,I’m not overweight,just this awful flab,I’ve tried every exercise but nothing shifts it, the only time it reduced was when I went running but had to stop that due to a back issue,then it all came back, if I could afford a tummy tuck I would

[Jules]

I HATE my meno belly,like you,I’m not overweight,just this awful flab,I’ve tried every exercise but nothing shifts it, the only time it reduced was when I went running but had to stop that due to a back issue,then it all came back, if I could afford a tummy tuck I would

Thanks. I hear the same from a lot of women. I've never had it so I'm finding it uncomfortable and I'm having to wear different styles of clothes. But it's also the digestive issues. I think everything from above has slid down and also I had decent sized babies and it's like my baby belly has just given in. I think swimming helped a bit but I have ME so can't sustain the exercise for long enough

[CLKD]

Gaining fat is normal.  My apron dropped about 15 years ago due to laxity of muscle caused by a loss of oestrogen which can also be the reason for reflux etc..

5 years ago I had to alter what I ate on a daily basis, cutting out foods that have hidden fats and sugars: scones, shop bought cakes, eclairs 

[Jules]

Gaining fat is normal.  My apron dropped about 15 years ago due to laxity of muscle caused by a loss of oestrogen which can also be the reason for reflux etc..

5 years ago I had to alter what I ate on a daily basis, cutting out foods that have hidden fats and sugars: scones, shop bought cakes, eclairs 

My diet is fairly good. I don't eat any fatty foods or sugary food. I think it must be as you say estrogen. I don't have an apron, just whale blubber which I've never had in my life. And the acid reflux has flared up recently possibly through stress but not helped by the pressure from the blubber.

[jaypo]

Ha, I had a big baby too,she was 9lb 4oz 😬😂 so my skin was very stretched and like you said,that doesn’t help either

[bombsh3ll]

I have always been an apple not a pear, I do believe menopause belly is a thing but would love to know if it happens to those who remain hormonally replete.

Doing my own n=1 study over here.

[DottyD68]

I like you bombshell am an apple not a pear. Have always been sporty/muscular but never had a belly even when I gained weight. When I went on HRT I developed a layer of blubber from my ampits to my upper thighs that I could not shift, no matter what I did (exercise/diet). I came off HRT and the blubber has definitely reduced and I can now comfortably fit into most of my old clothes albeit with a little bit of muffin top in the smallest. There is still a layer there and it is not as toned as it was but I feel happier in my body. I have no idea what specifically caused it but I believe it is definitely hormone-related.

[Jules]

I'm more a pear. I've never been on HRT other than vaginally. My second baby was 9lbs 11oz  but even so I lost the belly in time. I can see that the elasticity has gone. I accept I'm aging and can't look as I did 10 years ago and the pregnancy belly has given, but this is uncomfortable.

[bombsh3ll]

Have you had a scan to make sure there's nothing else causing the abdominal distension?

It's one thing to feel dissatisfied with our appearance due to the unrealistic beauty standards that we are bombarded with as women, but another if it is causing physical symptoms or discomfort.

[Jules]

Have you had a scan to make sure there's nothing else causing the abdominal distension?

It's one thing to feel dissatisfied with our appearance due to the unrealistic beauty standards that we are bombarded with as women, but another if it is causing physical symptoms or discomfort.

It's not distended, it's flab that I can get hold of and it's uncomfortable because I'm not used to having rolls of fat pushing up and as I have a hiatus hernia it causes acid reflux. But yes I've had a lot of investigation into my digestive system in the last two years with two gastroscopies. I saw my doctor today. She's not concerned but I'm having another gastroscopy for peace of mind. Regarding my flab, she just smiled like it's par for the course.