Why is this 'belly' risky?

Weight gain accelerates during menopause. Fat, especially in the belly area, begins to accumulate. This is a sign of serious chronic diseases.

"However, you can reduce this risk by paying attention to your diet and adopting an active lifestyle," said Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Prof. Dr. Bülent Tıraş, explaining how to manage this process well:

Confused with perimenopause

Some women confuse perimenopause with menopause. Perimenopause often begins years before women enter menopause and can include irregular periods and other common menopausal symptoms.

HERE ARE THE SIGNS

Some women experience no additional symptoms other than the end of their menstrual period. Others experience the following symptoms: - Decreased sexual desire - Hot flashes - Irregular or skipped periods - Mood swings - Night sweats - Painful intercourse - Sleep disturbances - Weight gain

- Thinning hair

How do you know if what you are experiencing is menopause?

Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstrual periods. A woman is considered to have entered menopause when she has not had a period for 12 months. This can occur due to the natural decrease in female hormones secreted by the ovaries, surgical removal of the ovaries, lack of sufficient reproductive hormones, or

It is sometimes triggered by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Do all women experience hot flashes?

Not every woman experiencing menopause experiences hot flashes. Ethnicity, lack of exercise, obesity, and smoking are common causes of hot flashes.

Why does weight gain occur during this period?

Hormonal changes brought on by menopause tend to increase the likelihood of abdominal weight gain. However, hormonal changes alone don't cause weight gain. This is often linked to lifestyle and genetic factors as well as advancing age. For example, muscle mass decreases with age, while fat mass increases. Muscle loss slows down the rate at which the body burns calories, making it difficult to maintain a healthy weight.

Factors such as an unhealthy diet, inactivity, and inadequate sleep can also contribute to weight gain during menopause, as those who don't sleep enough tend to snack more and consume and drink more calories.

The danger of fat

Weight gain during menopause can have serious health effects. Excess weight, especially around the belly, can lead to the following problems:

- Cardiovascular diseases. - Type 2 diabetes. - Respiratory problems

Excess weight also increases the risk of developing breast, colon and uterine cancers.

WEIGHT DANGER IN MENOPAUSE

Does hormone therapy help?

Hormone therapy is often used to relieve hot flashes that affect quality of life. This treatment can also help redistribute fat accumulated in the core or abdominal area. It can also help with weight management by improving sleep quality.

However, this treatment should be started with the recommendation of a doctor after the necessary tests have been performed.

How to prevent weight gain?

Take precautions against weight gain during menopause, especially a potbelly, by: - ​​Make time for exercise: Regular exercise keeps you in shape. At least 150-200 minutes a week of brisk walking or at least 75 minutes a week of intense aerobic activity, such as running, prevents weight gain. - Move more: Some activities also increase your mobility, such as gardening and housecleaning. - Eat less: To maintain your current weight, you need to consume fewer calories in your 50s than in your 30s and 40s. Choose fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that are less processed and contain more fiber. Legumes, nuts, fish, and low-fat dairy products are good options. Limit your intake of sugar, salt, flour, and meat. Choose healthy fats like cold-pressed olive oil. - Avoid alcohol: Alcoholic beverages add extra calories to your diet and increase your risk of weight gain.

Get support: Team up with friends who support your efforts to eat healthy and increase physical activity. Make lifestyle changes with them.