---
title: "The Top 3 Hormonal Causes of Abdominal Weight Gain"
entity: "blog"
canonical_url: "https://www.dramytung.com/blog/abdominal-weight-gain"
markdown_url: "https://www.dramytung.com/llms/blog/abdominal-weight-gain"
lastmod: "2023-06-14T05:55:00.000Z"
---

Hormones and Abdominal Weight Gain

Are your hormones affecting your ability to lose weight? If you’ve tried and are still fighting the ten or more pounds that have slowly crept up on your waistline, then you need to read this.

High cortisol (stress hormone)

Our body secretes a hormone called cortisol when we are under stress. Stress can come from things our body perceives to be stressful – whether it is real (physical, mental, or emotional stress) or whether it is perceived (our imagination). Our adrenal glands pump out cortisol in response to these stressors. The concern is less for short-term stress. High cortisol levels is however a major concern when talking about chronic long-term stress such as mood disorders (anxiety, depression), chronic pain or digestive ailments. Chronic high cortisol levels creates further hormone havoc by causing our appetite to go up, our metabolism to go down and our abdominal fat to go up.

High estrogen in women and men

Our body can accumulate estrogen through overproduction or from environmental sources via hormone mimicking compounds found in chemical pesticides, body care products and plastics. Those most at-risk include peri-menopausal (women who experience irregular periods, usually in their late 30’s or early 40’s) and menopausal women. Typical symptoms include headaches, anxiety and poor sleep. Men can also experience high estrogen levels as well resulting in low libido and abdominal weight gain.

Low thyroid hormone

Hypothyroidism patients complain of low energy, constipation, hair loss, dry skin, feeling cold all the time, low libido and being unable to lose weight. Adequate thyroid hormone is needed for optimal functioning of every cell system in our body. Abdominal weight gain is one of the many concerns that can be addressed if thyroid function is sub-optimal.

The best way to treat these hormone imbalances is to get properly tested. Speak with your naturopathic doctor about taking this first step to determine the best plan of attack.

Studies on goal setting show that having a specific goal results in a 90% chance of achieving that goal.

## Interested in learning more about working with me?

Book a free discovery call virtually (Ontario residents only).

Book Now