Updated: 23 hours ago
Going on a weight loss journey is filled with many ups and downs, and the challenges along the way can test one’s discipline. However, aside from the typical factors that go into weight loss, there are some key players that we might not be able to identify. For women, hormones like estrogen determine how we use glucose (or sugar) in our bodies, and it is just one of the hormones that play a crucial role in weight loss. Understanding the way these different molecules affect our bodies can make it easier to push weight loss efforts in the right direction for faster results. Here’s how hormones can affect weight loss and what you can do about it:
How Hormones Affect Women’s Weight Loss
Both women and men are affected by hormones in their weight loss journeys. For instance, leptin and ghrelin affect us in similar ways as they regulate weight gain and appetite. Cortisol is another hormone that regulates stress, which can lead to changes in appetite as a response. While studies from Columbia University’s obstetrics and gynecology program show that obesity is triggered by socioeconomic, behavioral, and medical factors too, there is no doubt that female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone play an essential role in weight gain and loss. These hormones are responsible for the regulation of appetite, eating behaviors, and energy metabolism in women. The balance of these hormones can have an impact on fat loss and overall health.
Hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle are also responsible for weight gain and loss. Man