More than 43%
of all women in menopause live with obesity*
Together, let’s break the silence on weight changes during menopause.
45% of women
in menopause haven’t yet reached out to a doctor.
Losing 10%
of body weight can improve symptoms of the menopause.
Understanding your body during menopause
During menopause, estrogen levels drop, triggering a cascade of metabolic changes Your body is not broken, it is responding as it should.
Obesity and mental health
Menopause weight gain can trigger anxiety and depression, creating a cycle that feels impossible to break. Here is what is really happening, and how to address it.
Menopause, obesity and your bones
When estrogen drops, bone density declines. Extra weight adds stress, raising fracture risk but there are things you can do about it.
The menopause shift
As estrogen levels drop, your body naturally shifts fat storage toward the midsection and your metabolism slows down. This is not your fault, it is biology.
A simple measurement that reveals more than your scale ever could
The Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) is a simple, science-backed measurement that reveals your real health risk in under a minute.
Check your Waist-to-Height Ratio
Metric
Imperial
Metric /
Imperial
Why do I need to calculate this?
BMI can only screen for obesity, it can’t measure body fat distribution which may indicate one's risk of heart related conditions. For that you need to calculate your Waist-to-Height Ratio
Menopause looks different
for every woman –
tell us about your experience
Related articles
Menopause and weight changes don’t exist in a vacuum.
They’re connected to other aspects of your health in ways you might not expect.
Weight loss benefits
Even a 5-10% weight reduction during menopause can dramatically improve hot flashes, joint pain, and energy levels. Discover which health improvements you might notice first.
A holistic perspective
Weight changes during menopause do not happen in isolation. Sleep, stress, caregiving duties, and emotional health all play a role.
Sleep and weight in the menopause: Restoring the balance
During the menopause many symptoms that affect sleep can also affect your weight. It is important to understand how these symptoms are linked and how you can get a better night’s sleep during the menopause.
How to talk to your doctor about menopause and weight (even if it feels uncomfortable)
Talking about menopause, obesity and heart disease is not easy, and you are not alone in feeling that way. We have created a practical conversation guide to help you begin these tough conversations.
Find your local weight management provider
Talk to your weight management provider about treatment options that could prevent the weight you lose from coming back.
References:
- Knight MG et al. 2022 Weight Regulation in Menopause
- Lancet (2022) Attitudes towards menopause: time for change
- Davis J., Menopause Mastery 2025 Losing 10 kg in Menopause: Your Expert Guide
- WHO (2024) Menopause
- NHS inform 2022 Menopause and your mental wellbeing
- Babymed The link between estrogen decline and osteoporosis: Understanding bone health during menopause
- Opoku AA et al. 2023 Obesity and menopause
- Lumsden MA, et al. 2015 Impact of obesity on the health of women in midlife
- Carson MY & Thurston RC et al. 2023 Vasomotor symptoms and their links to cardiovascular disease risk
- Hope T., HealthPub 2024 Benefits of Losing Just 10% of Your Body Weight
- Brown D. J. et al, Effects on cardiovascular risk factors of weight losses limited to 5–10%
- Imayama I et al. 2012 Effects of a caloric restriction weight loss diet and exercise
- Campbell KI et al. 2012 Reduced-Calorie Dietary Weight Loss, Exercise, and Sex Hormones
- Kroenke CH et al. 2013 Effects of a dietary intervention and weight change on vasomotor symptoms.
- Foster GD., 2009. Arch Intern Med Randomized study on the effect of weight loss on obstructive
- Mayo Clinic 2023 The reality of Menopause weight gain
- Frayn M 2018 Emotional eating and weight regulation: a qualitative study of compensator
- Avila C. et al 2015 An overview of links between obesity and mental health
- Papatriantafyllou E., et al 2022 Sleep Deprivation: Effects on Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance
- NIH National Institute on Aging 2021 Sleep Problems and Menopause: What Can I Do?
- Resmed UK 2024 The link between sleep apnoea and obesity
- Ding C et al. 2018 Sleep and Obesity
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