Weight gain in perimenopause? Dr. Brown explains. ➡️

Why diet and exercise stop working after 35.

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September 6, 2026 2:34pm EDT

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Hot Topic: Does menopause make weight loss harder? [WATCH VIDEO]

Do your cravings come on more intensely, stress levels seem higher, or does your metabolism feel sluggish lately? Believe it or not, early hormonal shifts brought on by perimenopause could be causing these challenges.

Weight gain in perimenopause is a cycle

Hormones fluctuate:

Estrogen and progesterone levels rise and fall.

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Sleep disruptions & cravings set in:

Shifting hormones contribute to disrupted sleep, which leads to increased cravings and appetite.

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Stress & cortisol levels rise:

Changing hormones and poor sleep contribute to stress and increased cortisol levels.

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Visceral fat storage increases:

Hormonal shifts, cravings, and lack of quality sleep promote increased fat storage, particularly around the abdomen.

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Weight loss feels harder:

Your body is changing, and hormonal shifts make it harder to maintain a healthy weight after age 35.

If you find it more difficult to maintain your typical weight these days, or you seem to be gaining weight you can’t explain, you're not alone, and there’s an answer.

That’s what we’re discussing with this Hot Topic question!

Does menopause make weight loss harder?

Dr. Brown explains more about this important topic.

WATCH VIDEO

Weight gain in perimenopause is often hormonal, and HRT can treat the root cause. Complete Winona’s free medical questionnaire to find out if HRT is right for you.

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We’ll be back next month with another Hot Topic.