Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Shorty40 on June 29, 2018, 09:56:20 PM
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I'm in perimenopause periods regular give or take 1 week. Sometimes quite heavy for first 4 days. Never struggledid with weight until now. My belly just seems to be getting bigger. Trying to watch food intake. Is it all hormonal. Not struggling with flushes but do get extremely tired and throbbing ankles.
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As oestrogen levels drop muscles may become lax which allows various parts to 'droop' :-\. Mine is huge tonight. By morning it will be OK again. My apron dropped several years ago - took about 4-5 days - so that when I look downwards I look big :(.
Make sure that you keep hydrated. Have a look-see at your over-all diet ........ exercise as much as you are able to.
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It probably is related to peri menopause. When your oestrogen levels drop, it causes fat redistribution round the middle. So while you might not necessarily put on weight, but fat goes to your belly. My waist has increased a bit and I hate it!
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Ive found that most women i meet 40+ have the issue with the middle age spread and extra weight gain. As others have said you can eat and do the exact same as before but the pesky hormones cause the fat to redistribute itself and a lot of the time it leads to belly fat. I used to have a lot of fat on my bum but its now all on my belly. My bums going a bit saggy tbh.
I take it by apron CLKD you mean the overhang has dropped cause if gravity?
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That's the one Hinari HF! I watched it sag over a few days >:(. I haven't put any weight on. It's simply slipped :o
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This lady is a 64 year old gran, and plenty more ladies like her.
https://metro.co.uk/2016/05/09/this-woman-is-actually-a-64-year-old-gran-and-its-blowing-peoples-minds-5870226/
It maybe a bit of a myth that as oestrogen levels drop muscles may become lax which allows various parts to 'droop'
Muscles respond to exercise and diet at whatever age.
There are lots of mature models with still stunning figures.
In peri and menopause you may have to take stock of eating habits, foods that you once were able to digest and eat without thought, could become troublesome cause bloating and sensitivity, once you get through menopause and hormones settle at a lower level women find they lose weight.
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That's the one Hinari HF! I watched it sag over a few days >:(. I haven't put any weight on. It's simply slipped :o
Thats quite something not had that yet but i am currently doing a bit more exercise hoping to tone up but it sounds like its going to happen any way.
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Not a myth sorry to say. It's happened to too many ladies and men get a beer belly ::). As for that 'photo. :-X
Sadly many muscles do not respond unless one is exercising all day and personally, I haven't the energy, inclination nor time. Looking at Paula Radcliffe over the years ......... sadly too, high density exercise can become an obsession as people miss the adrenaline kick :'(
I think we need to consider what we eat from a very early age, coupled with exercise. Many Schools sold off playing fields for housing ...... whereas in my day ;D we had cross country :-X :-\, swimming :), singing, drama, Music, Movement and Mime [anyone?]. Plus we walked or cycled everywhere as Dad had a car .......... still my belly sagged :D
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I already hate her tika :rofl:
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Sorry CLKD it has not happened to me and arm and leg muscles are firm too and I know quite a few ladies who are looking pretty darn good post menopause. That's why I question your blanket statement.
I think it's wrong to assume all women are going to fall to bits as hormones naturally lower during menopause.
Young men get beer bellies too and its due to increasing oestrogen levels caused by the hops in the beer and too much junk food.
The myth is that women gain weight because of menopause,not the other way round. Sorry. It could be that I cycled and walked everywhere as I don't drive but it proves the point of exercise at any age.
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Hi Shorty40
:welcomemm:
It sounds like your metabolism is beginning to slow down a bit as well as your hormones beginning to start going awry? If your periods are still more or less regular and you haven't changed your diet or exercise regime - then keep an eye on your weight gain as thyroid function (under-active) can cause this as well as fatigue and feeling cold ( not possible in this 30 deg heat!).
Various studies do in fact demonstrate the importance of oestrogen in maintaining muscle strength, as well, of course as testosterone. That's not to say all women will suffer from the consequences as it depends on genetic as well as environmental factors. Unfortunately some women are so lacking in testosterone for example that muscle pain after exercise may be experienced - limiting how much can be done. Thyroid function - which seems to sometimes go wonky as women approach menopause is also crucial. Oestrogen (and lack of it) is also important re collagen function:
"Collagen is an important protein contained within the structure of both skin and bone. Oestrogen has a positive effect on collagen production and the reductions in oestrogen levels post menopause gives rise to a significant reduction of collagen in skin and bone"
We most definitely have to work harder in order to try to maintain muscle strength as we age and post-menopause especially, and the weight redistribution is also well established, so yes we also have to change your eating habits permanently in order to prevent weight gain (or rather fat-gain - if the extra weight is muscle then that's fine!).
It's not a myth! There is some summary information on this website here:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/weightgain.php
Hurdity x
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Fat gain and muscle loss during peri and menopause are certainly not a myth! Just look, the story was so darn rare a newspaper published it.
I'm sorry, this is usually a supportive place. We don't need to be told that all we have to do is stop eating and exercise for 18 hours a day, because look, with woman in the paper did it ::). Most of us are working our asses off with employment, elderly parents and sometimes still children at home. We are miserable and exhausted. It's great that some women get off lightly with menopause and can gloat about it. But many, many don't have that chance. I know women in both camps and I have found those that are not too badly affected have absolutely no concept of what the rest are going through. Empathy stops with menopause it seems.
Hypothyroidism hits thousands of women during the rundown of hormones. Often those that were fit and able and active are struck down when their entire hormonal cascade deteriorates. Our GP's are as bad at diagnosing and treating hypothyroidism as they are at menopause. The two together can be catastrophic. And women are left under treated and lectured about exercise in both cases. Hypothyroidism shuts the metabolism down to survival levels. You try exercising like that and see how long it is before you find yourself in A&E.
I know just what CLKD means. It happened to me. From a little mounded belly to a flopped and drooped apron of skin and fat in a few days. It wasn't there, then it was. My form of exercise, which I did every day because I loved it, was hoop dancing. Hooping. hula hooping. My waist and legs were rocks of muscle. My torso was never shapely, I'm straight up and down, but it was firm and muscular and my legs were regularly complimented for their shape. And still it happened. I bloated up for about 2 weeks and then over a few days it flopped. Now I'm so weak muscularly that I can no longer hoop. I used to hoop younger people off the floor.
Let's be kind to each other. No lectures about people who have got off lightly and preserved themselves. We don't know what hormones they are taking or how much money they have to throw at the situation. We don't know what other medical conditions they may or may not have.
If we are fat at this time of life, exhausted, miserable and our confidence left the house years ago, we are NOT failures. We are unwell and need to look after ourselves and be loved regardless.
Sorry for the rant. It just got to me.
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And also, that article states she's into body building. You don't do that without adding hormones. Testosterone and T3 for a start. Both of those are really hard to come by unless you order over the internet and don't really know what you are getting.
Who has 2 hours a day to exercise in a gym. Sounds like purgatory. I'd just love to be able to dance, walk, ride and garden again.
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This lady is a 64 year old gran, and plenty more ladies like her.
https://metro.co.uk/2016/05/09/this-woman-is-actually-a-64-year-old-gran-and-its-blowing-peoples-minds-5870226/
It maybe a bit of a myth that as oestrogen levels drop muscles may become lax which allows various parts to 'droop'
Muscles respond to exercise and diet at whatever age.
There are lots of mature models with still stunning figures.
In peri and menopause you may have to take stock of eating habits, foods that you once were able to digest and eat without thought, could become troublesome cause bloating and sensitivity, once you get through menopause and hormones settle at a lower level women find they lose weight.
The lady had her surgical meno at her 40s and she is on full hormone replacement since then.
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Sorry you all disagree with me but I stand by what I said, and I not being unsupported, the lovely Johanna Lumley is another lady who has not put on weight and good role model for post menopause ladies and there are many women like her.
This forum is for all women's experiences of menopause and if anyone posts anything positive we are accused of gloating and called smug. I for one want to read positives things sometimes for older women, you can either do something about menopause changes and be inspired or accept it. I want to feel inspired!
Here is a 80 year old lady in wonderful shape proof that you don't have to accept that the down wood slope if you want don't to, just to look at this lady is uplifting even though most of us could never achieve that degree of fitness.
https://www.boredpanda.com/oldest-female-bodybuilder-grandma-80-year-old-ernestine-shepherd/
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Hi Tina! I am a cross fit athlete and I spend hours at gym and I have a really hard training.
I can assure you that all these ladies besides their training are on hrt and take steroids at daily basis. I don’t want to disappoint you but our body cannot look like that without hormones and plastic surgeries, only with exercise.
I am 43 and I diagnosed with early meno a year ago. I struggle to maintain my body and feel and look much better on hrt. I am not on testosterone and I don’t take steroids, only protein and amino at daily basis.
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I am not on hormones and used a very low dose estrogen after partial hysterectomy when I was 54 which I used on and off until a few years ago ( for me estrogen caused weight gain for me) , I have always been small build and fine boned and very slim, and I was given the advice to make sure I did not put weight on my tummy and I have managed not to and walking every day firms tummy muscles, I certainly notice the difference if I miss a few days.
I always ate to live and not the other way round and the further away you get from menopause the less your appetite come if you not on HRT. I use my own version of the 5.2 diet and it works.
If anyone is going to ask why I had a partial hyst, while my Doctor was taking a routine cervical smear my doctor said do you know you have a fibroid I said no and asked if it could be the reason for my very painful periods and heavy bleeding, she said yes and a hyst was suggested ( this was very different NHS to the one now) I was in my late forties then and wasn't very enthusiastic but had routine checks until I was told it wasn't shrinking, so at 54 I had the hyst. Never regretted it! even though I had reservations.
This is my story, it won't be anyone like anyone elses we are all different, but it seems that on this forum if you are a little different in your experiences of menopause you are quickly put in your place. Not sure I want to be on a forum that has this attitude.
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Tika, nice to hear that you feel great!
Everyone is different and has different needs.
Early meno is a totally different experience than natural meno in 50s. You are lucky to have a normal meno with no need of hrt.
Taking hrt is an absolutely individual decision and no a necessity for everyone. I personally feel more comfortable taking hormones than struggling with my meno symptoms.
I feel that the forum gives us the opportunity and freedom to express ourselves and to share our experiences! :)
Nice to hear that you have a better experience and you can go on your life without any meds. Love your attitude!
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I have added to my post above and have freely said in my other posts that I have used estrogen and stopped a few years ago and feel fine.
I joined MM to tell women this and to share my menopause journey.
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Hi tika I'm so sorry you felt you had to leave MM and all I can say is ask you to reconsider.Theres always going to be differing opinions on any subject and it's how we put our opinion across and how we debate things that's the important part in my mind.
I have no interest in personality clashes on this forum or elsewhere there's no room for that here as far as I'm concerned and yes I've seen things get a bit heated on occasion here but the best response is to not respond because it fuels things when it's unnecessary.
Come back and stick with your beliefs and opinions this place would be just another boring forum if we don't have the opportunity to express ourselves and if we ever do feel bullied then that's what the moderators are here for so to anyone in that situation,I'm not saying specifically you,I mean anyone reading this,report it to your moderators and have them put in their place there's no room here for that we are meant to help and support each other aren't we?? Xx
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It's good to hear everyone's different experiences and to hear positive stories.
I do understand when some people get upset at being told that managing that thickening of the waist at menopause is simply a matter of self-control to eat less and exercise more. It's not that simple for everyone!
To repeat what I've said elsewhere: I've done a lifetime of sports (gymnastics, football, fell walking, running, squash, cycling, mountain biking), never needed to diet, good muscles, never smoked, drink very little alcohol and I eat a healthy diet. But thanks to my oestrogen levels plummeting suddenly last autumn I was utterly exhausted all the time. I was struggling to manage a full time job, keep a household and family going. I was suicidal for a few months, and trying to maintain my fitness was almost impossible!
It was only with the help of HRT that I've got back on an even keel and yes I also take testosterone but that has nothing to do with trying to look good, but to enable me to function without brain fog and to regain a sex life with my husband.
We all have different experiences, but let's not forget that because some women are struggling its not because they're lazy and eat too many pies.
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let's not forget that because some women are struggling its not because they're lazy and eat too many pies.
Thank you Wilks. So many people just don't get it. I did explain that I was fit, active and always on the go and then - wham! Gone. But that seems to have been overlooked. My Mum sailed through menopause with no problems. She struggles to understand what I have been going through for the past 6 years. But she's never anything other than sympathetic and never tells me to eat less or anything like that.
The last thing any of us with hormone shattered lives needs to hear is someone saying weight gain isn't menopause related. Or anything else like that.
I'm sorry if I went off on one.
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Well said Wilks and SueLW - the effects of oestrogen and menopause on fat distribution and metabolism are well established and the link with thyroid and ageing in women too. As I said before, we have to work so much harder to keep the weight off. In order to avoid weight gain ( not to lose weight) I have changed my diet permanently, so it isn't really a normal diet the same as other people eat (ie pretty low fat, almost no refined foods, very few extra carbs, and hardly ever extra sugar except fruit - I do allow myself some treats though ::) ). If it wasn't for the HRT and the testosterone I wouldn't be able to do the amount of exercise that I do without being achey and exhausted most of the time and I need to do this to keep fit into my old age as well as keep the muscle tone up and the weight down! I know we are all different but there are general biological principles governed by hormones which to a greater or lesser extent we will be influenced by - we have to fight against it - but the effects are, there all the same for some ( most?) of us.
Shorty40 - How are you feeling? I hope you are encouraged by the words of members who sympathise with your plight and reassured that it is most likely to be your hormones? Please don't be put off by the argey-bargy - menopausal women do have strong opinions and like to express them in a forum such as this! Do keep an eye out ofr other symptoms suggesting thyroid issues too and please do keep posting! You are welcome here :)
Hurdity x
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Hi all,
Not been on here much lately but have just come across this I feel I must have my say. It's such a shame that tika has decided to leave. Once again some of the more long standing members appear to think that their opinions are of more value than newer members. I am sure that this is not deliberate but it does leave a bad taste in the mouth.
As tika said, everyone is different. I know of many older women that have kept their figures, and also many (including me) who have not. How your digestive system deals with starchy carbs has a lot do do with it and not just hormones. I would not personally recommend a 'low fat diet' as this can cause increased hunger and a tendency to eat more starchy carbs. As for iron supplements I was told by my GP many moons ago never to take them without a blood test first. Over dosing is dangerous. However, not sure about Vit B12 being dangerous with anti-depressants though. The only info I can find is that there can be a reaction on very high doses of supplement. As for 'you can keep your figure if you take HRT', both my sister and I have never taken hormones. I struggle with my weight and she is as slim as she ever was.
All in all this is just my opinion based on my own research and personal experience. Take it or leave it, but I hope it will be treated with equal value to anybody else.
Shadyglade
Sorry if this post has come across as my being a little narked but I do feel we have to listen to all opinions, even those we don't like, otherwise we will never learn anything new. Plus it's just the right thing to do.
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Hello Shadyglade,
I agree 100%.
Conolly X
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Hi Shadyglade, regarding how our digestive systems deal with starchy carbs, I think you have a good point there. Our gut biomes have a lot to answer for. A lot seems to depend on the type of gut flora you have, hence the difference between you and your sister! I am on HRT (oestrogen only) and lose weight far too easily and have a job trying to maintain my weight. I have always tended towards being too skinny. I too would never recommend a low fat diet for the same reason that you give.
Your post doesn't sound narky at all.
Best wishes,
JP x
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I think there's been a bit of an over-reaction here. The thickening of the waist at peri and post menopause is often (but perhaps not in everyone) related to hormones. How else do you explain those changes? I've done a lifetime of sport, I think nothing of riding 100 miles on my bike in a day, and I've never been overweight or had to diet in my life. My size and weight were stable from the age of 20 to 47 and then my waist got bigger! Nothing changed except that I became peri-menopausal!
Many of us are struggling with mood swings and anxiety, we have to have a bit of give and take with each other. Some of the women who have been on this forum a fair while give a lot of excellent, scientifically sound advice. They aren't getting paid for it, and could probably find other things to do with their time. I view that as being totally compassionate.