Managing your weight is difficult at the best of times—when your hormones are out of balance, it can feel a hundred times worse.
Many people struggle to lose weight despite their best efforts, but what many people don’t realize is that a hormonal imbalance is making their weight loss incredibly difficult, if not outright impossible.
In this post, you’ll learn about the various hormone imbalances that can cause weight gain or keep you from losing weight. You’ll discover how low testosterone in men, low estrogen and testosterone in women, hypothyroidism, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can all contribute to weight gain.
You’ll also learn how medications like semaglutide and treatments like EMSCULPT NEO can help you lose the weight that’s holding you back and help you look and feel like yourself again.
The Role of Testosterone in Men’s Weight Management
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men, playing a vital role in maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and overall metabolic health.
When testosterone levels drop, as they naturally do with age in a process called andropause, men may experience a range of symptoms, including weight gain. Low testosterone can lead to decreased muscle mass and increased body fat, particularly in the abdominal area, which can lead to other symptoms, like erectile dysfunction.
If you’re a man struggling with weight gain and suspect that low testosterone may be the cause, speak to your healthcare provider. They can order a simple test to measure your testosterone levels and determine if testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is appropriate for you.
TRT can help restore your testosterone levels to a healthy range, which will make it easier for you to lose weight and maintain a healthy body composition. Many of our male patients complement this therapy with advanced weight loss medications like semaglutide for maximum impact.
Estrogen, Testosterone, and Weight Management in Women
Women’s hormonal health is more complex than men’s, with estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all playing important roles in weight management.
During menopause, estrogen levels naturally decline, which can lead to weight gain, particularly around the abdomen. Low estrogen levels can also cause a decrease in muscle mass and bone density, making it more challenging to maintain a healthy weight.
In addition to estrogen, testosterone is also important for women’s weight management. While women have much lower levels of testosterone compared to men, this hormone still plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle mass and metabolic health.
Low testosterone levels in women can lead to decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, and difficulty losing weight.
If you’re a woman experiencing weight gain and suspect that hormonal imbalances may be the cause, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider.
They can order hormone tests to measure your estrogen and testosterone levels and determine if bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is appropriate for you.
BHRT can help restore your hormone levels to a healthy range, which will make it easier for you to lose weight and maintain a healthy body composition. Just like our male patients, many women also choose to add semaglutide to their regimen.
The Impact of Hypothyroidism on Weight Management
The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate your body's metabolism, and when the thyroid is underactive (a condition known as hypothyroidism), it can lead to weight gain.
Hypothyroidism can cause a range of other negative symptoms as well, including fatigue, cold sensitivity, and constipation, even when you're eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
Treatment for hypothyroidism typically involves taking a daily medication called levothyroxine, which replaces your missing thyroid hormones and can help restore your metabolism to a healthy level.
PCOS and Weight Management
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects many women of reproductive age. One of the hallmark symptoms of PCOS is insulin resistance, which can lead to weight gain and difficulty losing weight.
Women with PCOS may also have higher levels of androgens (male hormones), which can contribute to weight gain and other symptoms like acne and excessive hair growth.
Lifestyle changes, such as following a low-carbohydrate diet and engaging in regular exercise, can help improve insulin sensitivity and promote weight loss.
In some cases, medications like metformin or semaglutide may be prescribed to help manage insulin resistance and support weight loss.
The Role of Semaglutide in Weight Management
Semaglutide is a highly effective weight loss medication, particularly for people who are overweight or obese and have struggled to lose weight through lifestyle changes alone.
Semaglutide works by mimicking the effects of a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps regulate appetite and blood sugar levels.
In addition to its weight loss benefits, semaglutide has been shown to have other health benefits, including improving cardiovascular health markers like blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It may also help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Semaglutide is typically prescribed as a weekly injection. Your dose will start very low and gradually increase over a period of a few months as you get used to the medication.
EMSCULPT NEO: A Non-Invasive Option for Targeted Fat Loss
For some people, even with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and hormone optimization, losing those last few stubborn pounds can be a challenge. This is where EMSCULPT NEO comes in.
EMSCULPT NEO is a non-invasive body contouring treatment that uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology to stimulate muscle contractions and radiofrequency (RF) energy to target fat cells.
During an EMSCULPT NEO treatment, the device is placed on the targeted area (such as the abdomen, buttocks, or thighs) and delivers HIFEM and RF energy to the underlying muscle and fat tissue.
The HIFEM energy stimulates intense muscle contractions, similar to doing thousands of sit-ups or squats in a single session, which can help build muscle and improve muscle tone. The RF energy heats the fat cells, causing them to break down and be eliminated by the body.
EMSCULPT NEO can be a great option for people who are close to their ideal weight but are struggling to lose those last few inches.
The Bottom Line
Hormonal imbalances can make weight management a challenge, but with the right combination of lifestyle changes, hormone optimization, and targeted treatments, you can achieve your weight loss goals and improve your overall health.
Learn more about HRT for women or TRT for men here. You can also schedule an appointment with a specialist today to discuss getting your levels tested.