Why do women lose control of their weight?

We will talk again about how stress affects the loss of control over weight. Because this information will help women not to blame their extra kilos only on the wrong menu. The reason is deeper and more serious. Have you checked your hormone levels?

Where do fat reserves come from during stress?

During stress, the hormone cortisol is produced very intensively, suppressing estradiol. This provokes a whole hormonal explosion - the release of other hormones that can destroy the well-established functioning of the body.

First of all, the woman gains weight and cannot lose weight, despite diets and exercise.

Due to hormonal disruptions, endorphins begin to work actively or, on the contrary, slow down their activity. These are not just hormones of happiness. These are hormones that can affect appetite and the feeling of pain.

Endorphins act as tranquilizers (natural) or substances that can increase or alleviate pain.

It is not surprising that these processes in the body occur gradually, gradually. And women may not even notice them. And suddenly the state before menopause makes itself known: hot flashes and ebbs, mood swings, weight gain.

This means that changes in the body have been going on for a long time, but the woman only started noticing them recently, when it was already difficult to influence anything.

The connection between the brain and hormones

Hormonal changes affect brain function. When a woman is stressed, her blood serotonin levels decrease, as does estradiol.

Thanks to serotonin, a woman's sleep improves or worsens, and mood swings occur. Sleep, which used to be calm, suddenly disappears as such, can be interrupted every hour or two, a person suddenly wakes up and becomes even more nervous.

This is the first sign of hormonal imbalance as a result of stress. When there is less serotonin in the body than normal, you can say goodbye to a restful sleep. This condition is further aggravated by increased adrenaline production. Then the woman becomes nervous, tense, irritable.

Add to this a rapid heartbeat and hunger pangs (especially a love of carbohydrates). As soon as you notice these symptoms, you should see a doctor to undergo hormonal tests.

Because otherwise, cortisol will increase, and with it, fat deposits.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

How to determine the level of cortisol in the body?

This level should be checked at 8 a.m., when cortisol production is at its peak. The initial analysis at this time can track the optimal cortisol level.

Its norm is 20 mg/dl. If cortisol is higher than the norm, take the trouble to analyze other hormones as well. In particular, the level of the hormone ACTH, and you will also need an analysis of whether the hormone dexamethasone is suppressed in the body. The norm of the hormone GSK is also very important.

What will the tests show?

All these hormonal tests will be able to give you an exact answer whether your hormonal background is normal. If there are no deviations, you need an MRI magnetic resonance imaging to detect tumors in the adrenal glands or pituitary gland (one of the areas of the brain). These tumors can occur due to increased production of cortisol in the blood.

The cortisol level measured at 8 a.m. may be very low - less than 5 mg/dl. This is an indicator of a possible tumor or renal failure or a pituitary gland disorder. Then an additional analysis of the ACTH hormone level is needed.

But cortisol levels can be different. If you did the test at 8:00 and the cortisol level was higher than 10 g/dL, and sodium and potassium are at normal levels, then you do not have adrenal insufficiency.

Then it is advisable to check other hormones if you are still bothered by weakness, increased fatigue, mood swings and weight loss.

Know that sudden weight loss is typical for people with adrenal insufficiency. And sudden weight gain is typical for a person under stress, when the cortisol level in the body is higher than normal. This threatens obesity.

What are the dangers of excess cortisol in the body?

Cortisol, which is produced in the body itself, is one of the sources of its production. The second source is drugs with corticosteroids (with cortisol in the composition). Excess cortisol in one form or another is dangerous. Why?

• Accumulation of fat in the abdominal area
• Rapid heartbeat, heart muscle dysfunction
• High blood cholesterol levels and the risk of developing cholesterol plaques that interfere with blood flow
• Risk of developing diabetes due to increased blood sugar levels
• Insulin resistance
• Poor collagen metabolism, as a result of which the skin becomes flabby, its plasticity is lost, the muscles "roll up", become smaller in volume. Bruises and scratches quickly appear on the body, which heal poorly.
• Pain in the lower back and any muscle groups may be a concern
• Sleep disturbances, lethargy and fatigue after waking up, the body may hurt (an additional reason is poor production of the hormone estradiol)
• Thyroid dysfunction and a decrease in the hormone it produces – T3 in free (working) form
• Suppression of the immune system, susceptibility to colds and infections as a result
• Hair loss, brittle nails, dry skin

What is necessary for the normal functioning of the body?

In addition to replenishing the necessary hormones that are currently lacking in the body (for example, estradiol, T3), useful substances in the form of vitamins are needed.

When we are under stress, there is a catastrophic lack of vitamins, and the body cannot cope with increased loads. Therefore, a vitamin complex should be taken on the recommendation of a doctor.