If you are losing the fight against weight loss, although you are exercising and eating clean, a health issue may be preventing you from achieving your goal.
In most cases, people look for results the first three days after jumping on a diet, but there are some scenarios where losing fat is impossible due to hormonal disbalance.
Despite the weight gain, a hormonal disorder can have many other side effects like acne, thyroid goiter, fatigue, proximal muscle weakness, hirsutism, impotence, galactorrhea, and much more. So, in my article, I will discuss the most common hormonal disorders that cause weight gain!
Hormonal Disorders That Cause Weight Gain
Hormonal disbalances make you gain weight for no apparent reason. These changes may occur from a medical standpoint, menopause, or with age.
The fluctuation in hormone levels can have a huge toll on body functions, including how you lose or gain weight. Even though hormonal disorders affect both genders, many women deal with this issue.
As for treatment, you must find the root of the problem and have a proper diagnosis of what is causing you to add the pounds.
The most common hormonal disorders that cause weight gain are hypothyroidism, insomnia, menopause, depression, diabetes, PCOS, and endometriosis. Bear with me as I explain each condition and its symptoms.
Conditions for Hormonal Weight Gain
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland in your neck is the core of hormone distribution throughout the entire body. If you start unexpectedly to pack on the pounds, the thyroid might have stopped producing enough hormones.
This condition is called hypothyroidism and can make your skin dry, thin your hair, and make you feel depressed, tired, constipated, and cold.
Hypothyroidism can be detected with a simple blood test. If you suffer from this disease, you may need to use artificial (bioidentical) hormones to be your best self again.
Insomnia
Even though many influencers in the social media world claim to always grind and get the job done on simply four hours of sleep, the reality is we need a proper shut-eye for recovery.
The sweet spot for weight loss and proper daily function is eight hours. The consistent daily lack of sleep can cause the body to release insulin and cortisol. These hormones can contribute to weight gain because they make you crave certain high-sugar foods.
Read more: How to Get an Hourglass Figure
Menopause
When women enter menopause, there is less estrogen production in the body, leading to sudden belly fat.
However, fewer hormones are not the only reason for weight gain. There are also sleep problems, hot flashes, mood disorders, and fertility can have a toll on diet and exercise.
Instead of a protein-packed meal, the chances are you will grab the candy bar. Visiting a doctor would be the best situation to deal with the symptoms.
Depression
Sadness and weight gain usually come together like Starsky and Hutch. People who feel depressed and suffer from a mood disorder produce more cortisol. This hormone is the reason behind the fat that gathers around the belly.
Another reason why you may be packing on the pounds is that you are too sad to exercise or eat some vegetables. If you are depressed, you can contact your therapist and get prescribed medication.
Diabetes
Insulin, used as a treatment for diabetes, makes the body easily store energy, hence the weight gain. Diabetes can be treated with insulin, medication, clean food, and an exercise regimen.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS
This hormonal disorder affects the ovaries or the adrenal glands of women and increases the production of male hormones. The result of PCOS is a cyst on the ovaries. The condition can trigger insulin resistance and take you one step close to obesity.
Endometriosis
This chronic condition makes the uterine tissue grow outside of the uterus. Patches can grow on the ovaries, pelvic area, bowel, bladder, and fallopian tubes, which remain swollen during a menstrual cycle.
This disease is estrogen-dependent, and despite not having a direct link with weight gain, it is a fact that extra estrogen can lead to bloating, water retention, and an increase in appetite.
Also read: Can You Lose Water Weight and Fat at the Same Time?
Conclusion
Now that you know the most common hormonal disorders that cause weight gain, to deal with them, you must first assess the issue and find the hormones that affect your body. Getting the proper diagnosis and treatment is a necessary process.
In general, you can try lifestyle changes in your hands, like cardiovascular activity, adequate sleep, a calorie-restrictive diet, and, most importantly, consistency.
You can always consult a doctor and get medication or a supplement that can treat abnormal hormone levels.