Medical expert of the article
New publications
Why do women lose weight control?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
We will again talk about how stress affects the loss of weight control. Because this information will help women not to dump their extra kilos only on the wrong menu. The reason is deeper and more serious. Have you checked your hormone levels?
Where does the stress come from the store of fat?
Under 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 established work of the body.
First of all, a woman gets better and can not lose weight, in spite of diet and sports.
Because of hormonal failures, the endorphins begin to actively work or, on the contrary, inhibit their activity. These are not just hormones of happiness. These are hormones that can affect the appetite and sensation of pain.
Endorphins play the role of tranquilizers (natural) or substances that can enhance or soften the pain.
No wonder that these processes in the body are gradually, gradually. And women can not even notice them. And all of a sudden he makes himself known before the climax: hot flushes, mood swings, weight gain.
This means that changes in the body have been going on for a long time, but only to notice their woman started recently, when it is already difficult to influence something.
Communication of the brain and the work of hormones
Hormonal changes affect the functioning of the brain. When a woman is in a state of stress, the blood serotonin level in the blood and estradiol at the same time decreases in her blood.
Thanks to serotonin, a woman has a sleep adjustment or a sleep disorder, mood swings occur. The dream, which used to be calm, suddenly disappears as such, can be interrupted every hour or two, the person sharply wakes up and gets even more nervous.
This is the first sign of hormonal imbalance as a result of stress. When the serotonin in the body is less than normal, you can say goodbye with a calm sleep. This condition is further aggravated by increased adrenaline production. Then the woman becomes nervous, tense, irritable.
To this is added, and rapid heartbeat, and bouts of hunger (in particular - love of carbohydrates). Once you notice these symptoms, you should consult a doctor for hormonal tests.
Because otherwise cortisol will become more and more, and with it - and fatty 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 o'clock in the morning, when cortisol production is maximal. At the initial analysis at this time it is possible to track the optimal level of cortisol.
Its norm is 20 mg / dl. If cortisol is more than normal, take the trouble to analyze other hormones. In particular, the level of the hormone ACTH, and also you will need an analysis on whether the hormone dexamethasone is inhibited in the body. It is very important and the hormone HSC.
What will the tests show?
All these hormonal tests can give you an exact answer, if the hormonal background is OK. If there are no abnormalities, an MRI magnetic resonance imaging is needed to identify tumors in the adrenal gland or pituitary gland (one of the brain areas). These tumors can occur due to increased production of cortisol in the blood.
The level of cortisol, which was measured at 8 am, can be very low - less than 5 mg / dl. This is an indicator of a possible tumor or kidney failure or a disorder of the pituitary gland. Then you need another analysis for the level of the hormone ACTH.
But the level of cortisol can be different. If you did the analysis at 8.00 and the cortisol level was higher than 10 g / dL, and sodium and potassium are at the same level, then you do not have adrenal insufficiency.
Then it is advisable to check other hormones if you are still concerned about weakness, fatigue, mood swings and weight loss while doing so.
Know that sudden weight loss is typical for people with adrenal insufficiency. A sharp increase in weight - for a person in a state of stress, when cortisol in the body is higher than normal. This threatens obesity.
What threatens excess cortisol in the body?
Cortisol, which is produced in the body itself - this is one of the sources of its reception. The second source - preparations with corticosteroids (with cortisol in the composition). Excess cortisol in one form or another is dangerous. With what?
- Accumulation of fats in the abdomen
- Heart palpitations, cardiac muscle disorders
- Elevated blood cholesterol and the risk of cholesterol plaques interfering with blood flow
- The risk of diabetes due to the increase in the amount of sugars in the blood
- Immunity to insulin
- A bad exchange of callogen, resulting in the skin becoming flabby, its plasticity is lost, the muscles are "downloaded", they become smaller in volumes. On the body quickly appear bruises and scratches, which do not heal well.
- May be painful in the lower back and any muscle groups
- Sleep disturbances, lethargy and weakness after awakening, the body can get sick (an additional reason - poor production of the hormone estradiol)
- Failures in the work of the thyroid gland and the decrease in the hormone that it produces - T3 in the free (working) form
- Inhibition of the immune system, the tendency to colds and infections resulting from
- Hair loss, brittle nails, dry skin
What is necessary for the normal functioning of the body?
In addition to replenishing the necessary hormones, which are now deficient in the body (for example, estradiol, T3), useful substances in the form of vitamins are needed.
When we are in a stressful state, vitamins are sorely lacking, and the body can not cope with increased loads. Therefore, the vitamin complex should be taken on the advice of a doctor.