The link between Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and middle age spread has often been made, but many medical experts dismiss it as sheer coincidence and even myth. Their belief is that it is more likely to be as a consequence of inactivity post operation, either full or partial hysterectomy and not related entirely to the resulting hormone treatment.
It is also suggested in some research that the same number of women gain weight as do not through the menopause regardless of whether they are having hormone replacement therapy or not. This could indicate that the increase in weight has more to do with general age and not as a result of any hormone replacement. So maybe there is more to middle age spread than meets the eye.
If anything there could be a very slight weight gain that can be attributed to HRT, around 4-5lbs on average but as already mentioned, this could just be put down to lack of exercise. The other thing to remember with HRT is that it is used to top up the natural hormones that the body produces of it’s own accord, only in lesser concentrations. This surely proves that hormones are not a factor because the correct amount should actually be present in the body through hormone replacement.
Men also appear to go through a similar gain in weight once they hit forty and they have a much less hormone in-balance so again this could indicate that other factors are at work.
The best way to combat middle aged spread is to get into the routine of doing regular exercise. Even simple things like walking to the local store rather than driving will help. You could even consider joining the gym, taking up an aerobics class, starting something like a dance class even or swimming will not only help you shed those extra pounds but will certainly give your whole self a real boost.
Are you on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)? BeatMiddle Age Spread today! Stop MidLife Weight Gain in it’s tracks?
