Many women experiencing the wild ride we call menopause complain of particular bothersome symptom: weight gain. Despite exercise, strength training and counting calories the scale seems to keep showing a higher number and the pants get increasingly tight around the waist.
A recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism does illustrate that hormone therapy can be a positive factor in this struggle. The study categorized over 1000 women into current users, past users or never users for hormone restoration therapy (HRT). The study concluded that HRT is associated with significantly decreased visceral adipose tissue, otherwise know as the fat accumulation around the middle. The study also showed these benefits are not preserved when therapy is discontinued.
Although a single study, it does vindicate those women struggling with this part of the hormone journey. Most of us understand that metabolism drops with age and calories in versus calories out are important. Still, we simply want acknowledgment that something has shifted and maybe some help shifting it the other way.
Papadakis et al. Menopausal hormone therapy is associated with reduced total and visceral adiposity, the OsteoLaus cohort. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, jc.2017-02449.
https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2017-02449