The menopause may be a natural stage of ageing, but that doesn’t make this time of transition less challenging for women experiencing the whole host of physical and psychological changes caused by fluctuating hormone levels.
Around the time of menopause, many females experience physical symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and a reduced sex drive. It can also lead to anxiety, changes in mood, and a reduced sex drive.
There are an acknowledged 34 symptoms associated with the menopause, and are grouped as vasomotor, psychological, urogenital, and physical changes. The latter includes headaches, joint pain, insomnia, and weight gain.
Why do women gain weight during menopause?
Recent research suggests that the menopause doesn’t directly cause weight gain but instead causes a shift in fat distribution, and post-menopausal women are likely to accumulate abdominal fat.
Published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, it found that post-menopausal women experienced increased abdominal fat, and a corresponding decrease in leg circumference, suggesting fat cells move from other parts of the body to the waistline.
Often called the ‘fat reshuffle’, liposuction is particularly effective at eradicating stubborn fat deposits on the abdomen.
Rather than blaming your oestrogen levels, age and lifestyle are the main culprits of any general weight gain. Ageing is associated with a slowing down of your metabolism, explaining the phrase that you must ‘run to stay in place’. With our bodies burning fewer calories, it follows that we have to eat less and move more, but our activity levels typically decrease in our 50s onwards, so muscle mass declines and stubborn fat deposits accumulate.
A common menopausal symptom is insomnia, and our sleep patterns are directly linked to weight gain. Leptin is the hormone that tells you when you’re full, and when the body is sleep deprived, it produces less leptin. Furthermore, lack of energy the next day is typically combatted with excess consumption of caffeine, sugar and fatty foods and less desire to exercise.
Tummy liposuction for menopausal weight gain
Tummy liposuction is a highly effective solution to stubborn fat deposits on the stomach. During the procedure, Mr Michael Mouzakis will make tiny incisions in the treatment area before removing excess fat tissue with a cannula, a specially designed suction device. The stomach will immediately look flatter and more contoured.
To find out if you’re suitable for tummy liposuction, call 02033 256 533 or email info@drmooz.com to arrange a consultation with Mr Michael Mouzakis on Harley Street.
