Why Medical Weight Loss can be Beneficial During Menopause and Perimenopause

Let me share some thoughts about why medical weight loss can be particularly beneficial during menopause and perimenopause.

The Menopausal Weight Loss Challenge

During the menopausal transition, women face unique physiological changes that can make weight management especially challenging. Hormonal fluctuations, particularly the decline in oestrogen, create several metabolic changes:

1. Fat Distribution Changes

During menopause, the body tends to redistribute fat to the abdominal area, creating what's often called "menopause belly." This visceral fat is metabolically active and can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health conditions. Medical weight loss programs can help with overall weight loss and fat reduction. Body composition scans can also help to show changes in in body fat composition. 

2. Muscle Mass Reduction

The hormonal changes during menopause accelerate the natural loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia), which leads to:

  • Decreased resting metabolic rate (you burn less calories just sitting still than you used to)

  • Reduced strength and functional capacity

  • Increased risk of insulin resistance

Medical weight loss programs can help counteract these changes through:

  • Targeted protein recommendations to preserve muscle mass

  • Customized exercise prescriptions focusing on strength training – wondering why women are now told to “lift heavy weights” rather than being told to “feel the (cardio) burn”

3. Metabolic Changes

Menopause triggers several metabolic adaptations:

  • Increased insulin resistance

  • Changes in hunger and satiety hormone (how easy it is to feel full when you eat)

  • Altered energy expenditure (see above, sitting still just does less for you than before)!

  • Disrupted sleep patterns affecting metabolism

A medical weight loss program can address these changes through:

  • Medication selection that targets specific metabolic pathways

  • Hormone level monitoring and management

  • Personalized nutrition plans that account for changing metabolic needs

  • Pathways to gyms and PTs that understand your needs and support your goals

4. Quality of Life Improvements

Medical weight loss during menopause can help manage common symptoms:

  • Hot flashes (which often improve with weight loss)

  • Sleep disruptions

  • Mood changes

  • Joint pain

  • Energy levels

The Medical Advantage

What makes medical weight loss particularly effective for menopausal women:

1. Hormone-Aware Approach

Medical providers can:

  • Monitor hormone levels and their effects on weight

  • Adjust treatments based on individual hormone profiles

  • Coordinate with other healthcare providers managing hormone therapy – NUYU Newcastle also has an in-house GP who can do full menopause reviews. 

  • Make evidence-based recommendations for supplements and medications

2. Personalised Medication Options

Providers can prescribe medications that specifically address menopausal weight challenges:

  • GLP-1 agonists that help regulate insulin and reduce abdominal fat might be an option for you that you can discuss with a medical practitioner

  • Medications that help manage mood and sleep disruptions

  • Treatments that support bone health during weight loss

3. Comprehensive Health Monitoring

Regular medical supervision ensures:

  • Bone density is maintained during weight loss

  • Cardiovascular health is monitored

  • Metabolic health markers are tracked

  • Nutritional adequacy is maintained

4. Long-term Success Strategies

Medical weight loss programs provide:

  • Sustainable eating patterns that account for age-related nutritional needs

  • Exercise recommendations safe for changing bone density

  • Behavioral strategies for managing stress eating and emotional changes

  • Ongoing support and accountability, we are here to be your weight loss cheerleaders 

5. Management of Concurrent Health Issues

Many women develop other health conditions during menopause that can affect weight management:

  • Thyroid dysfunction

  • Blood pressure changes

  • Cholesterol level changes

  • Blood sugar regulation issues

Medical weight loss providers can coordinate care with other healthcare providers to ensure all health conditions are properly managed while pursuing weight loss goals.

Success Factors

For menopausal and perimenopausal women, medical weight loss tends to be most successful when it:

  • Takes a gradual, sustainable approach

  • Focuses on body composition rather than just weight

  • Includes regular monitoring and adjustment of the treatment plan

  • Incorporates stress management and sleep optimization

  • Provides education about the unique challenges of menopause

  • Builds a supportive community with other women facing similar challenges

This medically supervised approach helps women navigate the complex hormonal and metabolic changes of menopause while achieving their weight management goals in a healthy, sustainable way. The comprehensive nature of medical weight loss programs makes them particularly well-suited to address the multifaceted challenges of menopausal weight gain.

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The Power of Community in Medical Weight Loss: Why You Shouldn't Go It Alone