I've Gained Weight During Menopause: Can You Help Me Get Back to Normal?

Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life, but it can bring about some unwelcome changes — including weight gain. During this time, your metabolism slows and your body composition changes, making it harder to lose those extra pounds.

If you’re struggling to get back to your pre-menopause weight, Internal Medicine Partners in Naples, Florida, can provide the guidance and support you need. Our team, led by Alejandro Blanco, MD, and Ralph Rodriguez, MD, offers comprehensive weight management plans to help you achieve your goals and feel your best.

Understanding menopause weight gain

Menopause occurs when you stop getting your period and your reproductive years come to an end, but there’s more to it than that. These natural changes can have a profound impact on your metabolism:

Hormonal shifts

Estrogen plays a major role in how your body stores and burns fat. As estrogen levels plummet during menopause, your body may store more fat, particularly around the midsection.

Loss of muscle mass

As you get older, your body naturally loses muscle mass. This decrease in muscle slows down your metabolism, making it harder to burn calories and maintain a healthy weight.

Shifting sleep patterns

Menopause may disrupt your normal sleeping pattern, leading to daytime fatigue and potentially increasing cravings for sugary or processed foods.

How to maintain a healthy weight during and after menopause

Those extra pounds tend to creep up during perimenopause, the years leading up to menopause when estrogen starts to decline. And after age 50, women typically gain between one to two pounds a year on average.

Here’s how the team at Internal Medicine Partners can help you navigate these natural changes:

Nourishing your body from within

Not sure how to eat for your changing metabolism? We work with you to develop a personalized nutrition plan that’s tailored to your specific needs during this life stage. 

Our team can provide expert guidance on creating a balanced diet, focusing on whole foods, healthy fats, and the right balance of nutrients. We also offer medical-grade supplements to optimize your gut health for weight loss.

Exploring injectable weight loss solutions

For some women, medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide can be powerful tools in their weight loss journey. These injectable medications help regulate appetite, reduce cravings, and increase feelings of fullness after eating.

Other innovative options include lipotropic injections, such as LipoStat MICC, a blend of amino acids, vitamins, and nutrients that help to break down fat and support your body’s natural fat-burning processes.

Sculpting your ideal physique

In addition to diet, nutrition, and medication, we offer advanced body contouring treatments, such as Emsculpt® and Emsculpt®  Neo. These noninvasive procedures use electromagnetic energy to stimulate muscle contractions, helping you build muscle mass and reduce fat simultaneously.

Don’t let menopause sabotage your weight loss goals. With the right support and care, you can achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Call Internal Medicine Partners in Naples, Florida, to schedule a consultation, or make an appointment online.