You've probably heard that hormones play a role in body fat storage. But which specific hormones are involved, and how can you influence your weight and body fat percentage without compromising your hormonal health?
Hormones are your body's chemical messengers, helping to regulate everything from metabolism and appetite to fertility and your mood. When hormones are out of balance, they can wreak havoc throughout the entire system – including changes in weight.
Hormones and types of imbalances affecting body fat storage:
- Thyroid
- Insulin
- Estrogen
- Testosterone
- Cortisol
Thyroid
Let's start with the endocrine organ that most affects body fat storage and weight changes: the thyroid. This butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck produces hormones that regulate body temperature, heart rate, maintain proper cholesterol levels, and control metabolism.
Metabolism is the process by which nutrients from food are converted into energy for your body. Thyroid hormones can therefore directly influence the storage of body fat, which is excess energy that the body does not currently use.
Weight gain and resistance to weight loss are common symptoms of hypothyroidism, underactive thyroid function. Women experiencing hormonal imbalance often observe signs of weakened thyroid function; in addition to fluctuating body weight, typical symptoms also include:
- Cold hands and feet
- Sensitivity to cold
- Excessive hair loss
- Lack of energy
- Anxiety, feelings of nervousness
- Sleep disturbances
The health of your thyroid can be influenced by genetics or an autoimmune condition, but common factors threatening its function include insufficient calorie intake, excessive exercise, deficiency of certain nutrients, or overall stress levels.
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. When you eat a meal containing carbohydrates, your pancreas releases insulin, which transports blood sugar to cells and tissues where glucose is used as an energy source.
Insulin resistance is a condition where cells become resistant to insulin and do not absorb blood sugar. Blood sugar levels remain high, to which the pancreas responds by releasing more insulin. Too much glucose in the blood is eventually stored as fat for later use.
However, carbohydrates themselves are not the cause, and there's no reason to eliminate them immediately. Insulin resistance often occurs due to an improperly composed diet with a high content of industrially processed foods, but long-term stress or irregular eating habits can also lead to these metabolic problems.
Estrogen
Estrogen is one of the hormones that controls the menstrual cycle and is also responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system. Among other things, it also plays a role in bone, brain, and heart health and supports muscle building. Estrogen makes us women women.
Excessive amounts of estrogen in the body or its imbalance with progesterone can, however, have a negative impact on your weight and body fat storage. This hormonal state can be a consequence of high stress levels, weakened liver function, or intestinal dysbiosis. In addition to estrogen promoting fat storage in the body, fat tissues themselves can produce a certain amount of estrogen, so women with estrogen dominance often find themselves in a vicious cycle.
Other signs indicating estrogen dominance:
- Water retention
- Breast tenderness or pain
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Premenstrual syndrome
Weight gain during perimenopause
Estrogen dominance can be one of the reasons for your weight fluctuations. But why do women often gain weight with the onset of menopause, when estrogen levels actually decrease?
Precisely because the body tries to find other sources of estrogen than that produced by the ovaries. Estrogen reserves are found in fat cells, so the body often begins to convert more calories into fat to draw the hormone from. Furthermore, fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones during perimenopause can increase appetite.
Testosterone
Testosterone is commonly associated primarily with men, but it also plays an irreplaceable role in the female body. It partly affects the metabolic rate, and women with lower testosterone levels may therefore have difficulty losing weight. In addition to weight fluctuations, low production of this androgen in women usually also manifests as decreased sexual desire, lack of energy, or menstrual cycle disorders.
However, too high testosterone production is also not optimal. Androgen levels are closely related to insulin sensitivity, as seen in women with PCOS. Typical symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome include excessive hair loss, and conversely, the growth of darker hair, an anovulatory cycle, or precisely excessive fat retention, especially in the midsection.
Cortisol
Last but not least, let's move on to cortisol, where it usually all begins. Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. When you are in danger, your brain commands and your adrenal glands begin to release cortisol. This hormone's job is to prioritize certain functions essential for survival, and conversely, suppress bodily processes that you can do without for a while, or which would otherwise hinder your active defense or attack (such as digestion).
This ability of the body to adapt to external conditions and survive at all costs is irreplaceable. However, if the threat does not subside and stress persists long-term, the body continues to prioritize cortisol production over other hormones, just as functions essential for quick defense or escape remain a priority.
Chronic stress can thus disrupt some bodily processes. The aforementioned thyroid is often affected, or it can be reflected in the menstrual cycle and the balance of estrogen and progesterone. There are many ways cortisol affects the health of other hormones.
On the other hand, long-term stress can itself disrupt your relationship with food: Some people cannot eat a bite when stressed, while for others, food is the only comfort at that moment, so they often eat away their problems and emotions. In both cases, this can lead (not only) to weight fluctuations.
Possible signs indicating that stress is primarily behind your problems are:
- Nervousness, anxiety
- Frequent forgetfulness, brain fog
- Loss of menstruation or irregular cycle
- Frequent need to urinate
- Decreased hunger and appetite, or conversely, emotional eating, binge eating
However, the mentioned hormones are not the end of it, but they are sufficient as a basis for explaining how hormones influence weight loss and gain. In the next article, we will look at how weight loss fits into hormonal health, and whether it is enough to follow the well-known advice: Just eat less and exercise more.
Are you experiencing any symptoms of hormonal imbalance or do you have a question about your health? Contact our Femvie experts, who will create an individual plan for you based on your medical history, laboratory results, symptom monitoring, cycle analysis, and a 90-minute initial consultation. Our experts will provide you with a complete assessment of your health and will continuously support you to achieve results.
Femvie products that can help you
We have selected products related to this topic that can support your health:
- 🌿 Endometriosis Support Complex — specially formulated supplement for women with endometriosis
- 📖 Guide: Anti-inflammatory diet for endometriosis — 6 + 1 ways to naturally reduce pain through nutrition
- 💊 Magnesium — supports muscle relaxation and alleviation of cramps
- 🩹 Menstrual Patches — natural relief from painful menstruation
- 🎯 Endometriosis Support Pack — complete set for daily support
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have endometriosis?
Endometriosis manifests as severe painful menstruation, pain during intercourse, fatigue, and digestive problems. The only way to definitively confirm it is laparoscopy. If the symptoms interfere with your daily life, consult a gynecologist.
How long does it take to get a diagnosis?
The average time from the first symptoms to a diagnosis of endometriosis in the Czech Republic is 7–10 years. Many women are dismissed for a long time with the idea that painful menstruation is normal.
Can endometriosis be treated naturally?
Endometriosis cannot be completely cured, but symptoms can be naturally alleviated through an anti-inflammatory diet, dietary supplements, exercise, and stress reduction. Natural support does not replace medical care but can significantly improve quality of life.
Are organic menstrual products better for women with endometriosis?
Yes. Conventional tampons and pads may contain pesticides and chemicals that irritate sensitive tissue. Femvie's organic cotton products are certified and free of harmful substances.
