Do women change shape/put on weight at menopause?

[moondog]

As my boss asserts they do.
Or is she making excuses re troughing?

[zippitippitoes]

only for the same reasons as any other time i think

if you eat the wroong foods get lazy and dont stimulate your metabolism enough

i think it can be harder to lose weight but i suspect that is more complacency than anything else

it is p[ossible to lose weoght i lost 5 stone last year and i was 50 last year

i still have periods tho i am on mini pill which seems to have confused things

[Donk]

You may be more likely to put on weight around your middle instead of on your hips.
I am certainly finding it harder not to put on weight than I did pre menopause.
A lot harder.

[cocolepew]

Yep, arond the tummy definately. It's harder to shift as well

[Saggarmakersbottomknocker]

Your metabolism slows down apparently. And any weight you do put on is more likely to accumulate round your middle. I'm noticing both - I'm not eating any more than I used to and I'm exercising more than ever so in theory should be losing weight. I'm not losing but my bum is smaller and my waist is bigger.

[moondog]

And does HRT make you aggressive? Another colleague has turned into a monster since taking it.
Menopause.
Vile word isn't it?

[zippitippitoes]

i know nothing about hrt

i dont really do menopause stuff

i assume if you dont think about it that is the best way

[zippitippitoes]

well i insert a young man at regular intervals

i dont really care whether that is a symptom or a treatment

[Donk]

Aggressive - the mood swings. Oh yes! I never had pmt - then to have it constantly. for months. I thought I was going to murder someone!

Lack of concentration

Memory like a sieve

I feel as though I am losing myself/my mind
(consultant says this is the most common reason people end up at hi menopause clinic)

Some people have no problem with the menopause - others of us however....

[girlsnextdoor]

yes your metabolism changes- I have put on almost half a stone over the past 5 years. (Am 50+) and having to make a great effort to lose that 3rd roll around my midriff.

Zippie- you might be just too young- I didn't "do" menopause either but a couple of months back the flushes began along with my final (???) period- I am 53.

[Mercy]

I haven't so far (45 and experiencing random symptoms for about 2 years now)

I read somewhere that you expend 5-10% less energy with the passing of each decade, so that could account for the middle-aged spread too.

Like Donk I'd never experienced PMT before. I'm very short tempered in the run up to my period now. Poor dc, they are only 4 and 7.

[themoon66]

I have put on 10lbs without eating any more. The last few weeks I have been hungry and trying to live on 1,000 calories and have only lost 2lb. I run 20 miles a week too.

The fat has gone on around my middle.

I'm 40s

[cocolepew]

I'm only peri-menopausal and I can't shift weight and my PMT is shocking. I was at my DR (for something else) and mentioned this. Her answer? "Oh it's your age". Thanks for that medical insight

[Guadalupe]

I hope not. I'm due to have mine early after a hysterectomy though I'm lucky it's not instant as they left the ovaries.

I can feel hormonal changes and I have put on a few pounds and thickened in the middle a bit. Not sure if that's down to reduced activity.