08/29/2026
β¨ Wellness Q&A Series | Episode 44 β¨
Why does menopause seem to move weight to the abdomen and take it from everywhere else?
Dr. Reis is answering a question that comes up constantly, and the framing matters here. Menopause does not necessarily cause weight gain. What it causes is weight redistribution.
π It starts with hormones. During menopause the ovaries stop producing estrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone. Estrogen is the hormone responsible for feminization, which includes storing fat in the breasts, hips, glutes, and thighs.
π So the fat relocates. As estrogen levels fall, the tendency to store fat in those areas decreases. That fat still has to go somewhere, and it tends to land in the abdomen, both as intra abdominal fat and as fat under the skin.
π One option is hormone replacement therapy. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can all be replaced, and the right approach depends entirely on your specific needs. Worth being clear though: hormone therapy is not a weight loss solution on its own. It is not thermogenic and it does not change your appetite.
πͺ What it actually does. Testosterone in particular supports better sleep and better energy levels, and it helps you build lean muscle mass much more quickly. That can lead to a real recomposition of your body and a shift in overall fat distribution.
The bottom line from Dr. Reis: there is nothing wrong with your body during menopause. It simply means the strategies that worked in your 20s and 30s are not the strategies that work in your 50s and 60s.
Link in bio to book a consultation with Austin Plastic Surgeon.