The link between Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and middle age spread has often been made, but many medical experts dismiss it as sheer coincidence and even myth. Their belief is that it is more likely to be as a consequence of inactivity post operation, either full or partial hysterectomy and not related entirely to the resulting hormone treatment.
Research also suggests that there is just about an equal number of women who gain weight as do not at the time of menopause and this doesn’t seem to matter whether they are having hormone replacement therapy or not. This would maybe then suggest that the weight gain or middle aged spread as it is often referred to is related to metabolic changes as opposed to the HRT treatment.
If anything there could be a very slight weight gain that can be attributed to HRT, around 4-5lbs on average but as already mentioned, this could just be put down to lack of exercise. The other thing to remember with HRT is that it is used to top up the natural hormones that the body produces of it’s own accord, only in lesser concentrations. This surely proves that hormones are not a factor because the correct amount should actually be present in the body through hormone replacement.
Let us also remember that men also report the onset of middle aged spread around the same time and their hormones do not run riot in the same way as a woman’s do.
The best way to combat middle aged spread is to get into the routine of doing regular exercise. Even simple things like walking to the local store rather than driving will help. You could even consider joining the gym, taking up an aerobics class, starting something like a dance class even or swimming will not only help you shed those extra pounds but will certainly give your whole self a real boost.
Are you on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)? BeatMiddle Age Spread today! Desperate to stopMidLife Weight Gain in it’s tracks?
