Menopause could lead to weight gain (Credits: Canva)
There are many phases in a woman's life, menarche, menstruations, pregnancy, postpartum and menopause. Each phase comes with its own challenges, and changes the way of looking at life. However, narrowing to one, today we are focusing on weight gain after menopause. Gaining weight is a common concern for many women are approaching menopause. This period brings hormonal changes, shifts in activity levels and effects of aging. All of these contribute to weight gain. However, not everyone experiences weight gain during menopause, and individual experiences may vary greatly.
Before diving into the specifics of weight gain, it’s helpful to understand the terminology associated with menopause:
Hormones influence weight fluctuations after menopause, specifically how fat is distributed and how the body controls hunger.
The hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause and menopause influence where fat is stored in the body:
Perimenopause: During this phase, estrogen levels fluctuate while progesterone levels decline steadily. In early perimenopause, higher estrogen levels can promote fat storage in the hips and thighs as subcutaneous fat, which generally carries fewer health risks.
Menopause: As estrogen levels drop significantly, fat storage shifts to the abdominal area as visceral fat.
This type of fat surrounds internal organs and is associated with health risks like:
Lower estrogen levels during perimenopause can have an impact on appetite management. A 2019 analysis found that decreased estrogen may diminish satiety signals, making you feel less full after meals. This might lead to increased calorie consumption and weight gain.
Weight gain during menopause is attributed to more than just hormonal changes. Several elements come into play throughout the aging process:
Increased fat content and decreased muscle mass: These changes affect the body's resting energy expenditure (REE), which means fewer calories are expended when at rest.
Lower activity levels: Fatigue, sleep difficulties, and menopause-related symptoms can all lead to a decrease in physical activity, further reducing REE and increasing weight.
If you are concerned about weight gain during menopause, a variety of strategies can help you manage it effectively. It is usually recommended that you speak with a healthcare practitioner before developing a specific approach.
Focus on a well-balanced diet that includes less carbohydrates, more fiber, and less added sugar and salt.
Include nutrient-dense meals to boost overall health.
Regular exercise helps to maintain muscle mass and reduce body fat. Strength training, aerobic, and flexibility exercises are quite beneficial.
If you have osteoporosis, see your doctor about safe activity options.
Prioritize sleep and relaxation to combat fatigue and stress, both of which can contribute to weight gain.
Mindfulness practices or yoga may help reduce stress levels.
Credit: Chantelle Broadley / SWNS
Ten-year-old Myla from the UK's North Yorkshire, with severe eye strain, was diagnosed with a severe brain tumor that led to her death.
The young girl had been suffering from headaches and dizziness, which were dismissed as mere eye strain due to playing on her iPad too much.
Thinking that she needed eyeglasses, her parents took her for an eye appointment, where she was diagnosed with an aggressive diffuse midline glioma — a type of brain tumor.
Myla was diagnosed with a 7-10cm tumor and was rushed to Sheffield Children's Hospital for an operation to remove 60 per cent of the mass. The youngster underwent a grueling 30 rounds of radiotherapy but tragically passed away on January 15, The Mirror.co.uk reported.
Healthandme spoke to health experts to understand the role of eye strain and brain tumors.
The health experts noted that although prolonged exposure to digital screens can raise the risk of vision problems, they cannot cause brain tumors.
"Eye strain is most commonly linked to prolonged screen use, poor ergonomics, or uncorrected vision, and in the vast majority of cases, it is not a sign of brain cancer," Dr. Parul Maheshwari Sharma, Ophthalmologist and Principal Director & HOD - at Fortis Gurugram, told HealthandMe.
"The likelihood of experiencing eye strain being an indication of brain cancer is minimal," added Dr. Mahipal Singh Sachdev, Chairman & Medical Director, Centre For Sight Group of Eye Hospitals.
The doctors explained that brain tumors are rarely present as simple eye strain; they are usually associated with additional symptoms such as:
Eye strain, also referred to as digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome, is caused by staring at screens for extended periods of time and decreased blinking.
It generally occurs due to benign factors such as excessive screen time, dry eye, or uncorrected vision.
While prolonged screen use can cause discomfort, dry eyes, and temporary blurred vision, it does not lead to the development of cancer.
"There is no evidence to suggest that screen-induced eye strain can cause brain tumors," Dr Sharma said.
"Although there may be visual changes due to a tumor that involves the optic nerve or hypothalamus, simple eye strain is not indicative of brain tumors and would not be considered an early warning of a brain tumor. There is an extremely low probability that eye strain will be due to a brain tumor," Dr. Sachdev told HealthandMe.
However, the experts agreed that long screen time can lead to severe eye strain.
Brain tumors are generally attributed to genetics, exposure to radiation, or other unknown factors.
Numerous types of red flags could indicate the presence of a serious neurological disorder. Some examples include
Higher-risk patients include:
To help combat eye fatigue, individuals can adopt some simple habits, such as
Dehydration can lead to poor concentration in women. (Photo credit: iStock)
Ladies, does it ever happen to you that you are not on your period, not PMSing, and still feel moody and upset? Well, as it turns out, experts say that there could be a very simple reason for this. According to researchers at the University of Connecticut, even mild dehydration could be responsible for mood changes in women. Not only this, even 1.36 per cent dehydration can affect your mood, ability to think and energy levels. The Daily Mail notes that a loss of 1.5 per cent of normal water volume levels in the body can be classified as mild dehydration, and its adverse effects can linger for some time.
Read more: The Health Problems Women Normalise, But Gynaecologists Do Not
In women, the adverse effects of dehydration can be serious. Experts say that the effects are more intense in women, and they came to this conclusion after analysing the results of tests, which revealed that it does not matter if a person walks for 40 minutes on a treadmill or is in a state of rest — if an individual is even slightly thirsty, the adverse effects will be the same.
Research shows that even 1.36 per cent dehydration is enough to cause the following problems:
Is thirst the same as dehydration?
Lead researcher of the study, Lawrence Armstrong, noted that a sensation of thirst does not appear until a person is one or two per cent dehydrated. By then, it starts to set in and act up, adversely impacting how the mind and body perform. Dehydration can affect everyone, which is why it is just as important for people in desk jobs to stay hydrated as it is for marathon runners.
Read more: Three Health Checks Every Woman Should Do Each Month, According To Experts
In this research, experts put participants through a series of tests evaluating their concentration, vigilance, reaction time, reasoning, memory and learning. The results were then compared with those of people who were not dehydrated. In younger women, mild dehydration resulted in fatigue, headaches and concentration difficulties. Women also found basic tasks more difficult to execute than usual. On the other hand, young men noted some difficulty in performing mental tasks — they experienced anxiety, fatigue and tension in the process. Mood changes were more prominent in women than in men.
The oral microbiome is the community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that naturally live in the mouth — on the teeth, gums, tongue, and cheeks. More than
700 species are known to exist, most of which are harmless and many beneficial.
However, problems arise when harmful bacteria outnumber protective ones, leading to gum inflammation or periodontal disease. During pregnancy, hormonal changes increase blood flow to the gums and alter immune responses. As a result, many women notice bleeding, swelling, or sensitivity in the gums — a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis.
This is common and reflects physiological changes rather than poor hygiene.
Pregnancy is a systemic state in which the immune system, circulation, and inflammation are closely interconnected. Chronic gum inflammation can release inflammatory mediators into the bloodstream.
In research settings, certain oral bacteria have also been detected in placental tissues from complicated pregnancies. This suggests a biological link between oral health and
placental function, although the exact pathways are still being studied.
Importantly, this relationship reflects association rather than direct causation.
The placenta is an active organ that regulates oxygen and nutrient transfer, hormone production, and immune protection for the developing baby.
Healthy placental development supports:
Up to 60–75 percent of pregnant women experience some degree of gum inflammation. Common changes include:
Research from India and globally shows associations between periodontal disease and higher risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia. Meta-analyses
suggest a modest increase in risk (around 1.5–2 times).
However, pregnancy complications are multifactorial. Oral disease alone does not directly cause these outcomes. Genetics, nutrition, metabolic health, and placental
biology all play important roles.
Treating gum disease improves oral health and reduces inflammation, though studies show mixed evidence on whether it directly lowers preterm birth risk. The goal is
prevention, awareness, and overall maternal health.
Daily oral care:
Pregnancy already carries emotional and physical changes, and dental symptoms can add anxiety. Support from partners and family members helps reduce mental load.
Stress can influence immunity and inflammation. Adequate rest, gentle activity such as walking or prenatal yoga, and open communication with healthcare providers
support both oral and overall health.
Seek professional advice if you notice:
Pregnancy is a time when different systems of the body work in close coordination. Oral health, immune balance, and placental function are part of the same continuum.
Gentle attention to gum health is not about perfection. It is about creating supportive conditions for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
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