Hormonal belly refers to abdominal weight gain due to an imbalance in hormones.
Many people gain belly weight when they have low levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
However, other hormones, such as cortisol, leptin, and insulin can also play a role.
Photo composite by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health; Getty Images
Hormonal belly has a different appearance from that of typical weight gain.
you could easily pinch the excess fat because it builds up under your skin.
When hormonal imbalances cause abdominal weight gain, the fat accumulates around your internal organs (visceral fat).
Your belly enlarges and takes on an apple shape.
You may look extremely bloated instead of like you’re carrying extra weight.
Another difference is that hormonal belly may appear regardless of diet and exercise.
Here’s a rundown of the causes based on whether they affect everyone, women, or men.
It affects your metabolism, increases blood sugar, and triggers fat storage.
Cushing’s syndromeis a rare condition in which the body produces too much cortisol.
This disease may be brought on by a pituitary problem or taking steroids for a long time.
Insulin
Excess weight around the belly can also be a sign ofinsulin resistance.
Insulin resistance causes high blood sugar, which promotes fat storage.
Without treatment, it leads toprediabetesandtype 2 diabetes.
In fact, hormonal belly is so common, it’s often called “menopause belly.”
As estrogen levels drop, fat is redistributed.
Instead of building up under the skin, women start to accumulate fat in their abdomen.
After menopause, many women experience a significant increase in visceral fat.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS develops when women have high androgen levels.
However, high androgen levels affect the ovaries.
As a result, ovulation is disrupted, ovarian cysts develop, and insulin levels rise.
Many women with PCOS develop hormonal belly, or in this case, it’s often called PCOS belly.
Without treatment, PCOS increases the risk of:
Is Endo Belly the Same as Hormonal Belly?
Endo belly is due to endometriosis and is not the same as hormonal belly.
Endometriosis often causes extreme abdominal bloating that can be painful during the second half of your menstrual period.
The bloating is not due to excess fat; it’s sparked by fluids and inflammation.
Hormonal Causes In Men
Testosteroneis the primary androgen hormone in people with testes.
Research suggests a strong relationship between low testosterone and an increase in abdominal fat.
It also results in the loss of muscle mass and a low sex drive.
Medical Care
Hormonal imbalance don’t improve without medical treatments.
Then, they recommend a care plan based on your unique needs.
For example, Cushing syndrome may be cause by a pituitary gland tumor that be removed.
Improve Body Image
Hormonal belly often has a negative impact on your body image.
However, hormonal belly is different from typical weight gain.
It’s triggered by hormonal imbalances, especially changes due to menopause, low testosterone, and thyroid problems.
Society for Endocrinology: You and Your Hormones.Cortisol.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Insulin resistance & prediabetes.
The University of Chicago Medicine.Why am I gaining weight so fast during menopause?
And will hormone therapy help?
2023 Nov 19;12(22):7176. doi:10.3390/jcm12227176.
National Library of Medicine: Endotext.Drugs that affect body weight, body fat distribution, and metabolism.
MD Anderson Cancer Center.Drop belly fat, drop cancer risks.
Harvard Health Publishing.Taking aim at belly fat.
2023;11(1):225. doi:10.1186/s40337-023-00945-2
