📢 A new study published in Circulation Research (Ayesh et al., 2024) confirms that hormonal changes—not willpower—are driving weight gain and dangerous fat redistribution after menopause.
🔥 THE REALITY:
➡️ Estrogen decline = metabolic slowdown. Your body burns fewer calories, even at rest.
➡️ Fat shifts to the abdomen (visceral fat), increasing risks for heart disease, stroke, & diabetes.
➡️ Medications prescribed to women (antidepressants, β-blockers, insulin) accelerate weight gain.
➡️ Hypertension rates DOUBLE after menopause.
➡️ Heart failure risk surges within 5-6 years post-menopause.
It’s NOT about willpower. It’s science. And yet, women are still being gaslit by a healthcare system that fails to recognize these biological realities.
🚀 WHAT YOU CAN DO:
💪 Strength training & protein to preserve lean mass
🥗 A diet that supports metabolic health (protein, fiber, healthy fats)
💊 Consider HRT—it’s more than symptom relief, it can protect long-term health
😴 Prioritize sleep & stress management—both impact metabolism
Want to learn more about Dr. Haver and her work in the field of menopause? Check out our website:
https://thepauselife.com/
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– About Dr. Mary Claire Haver –
Dr. Mary Claire Haver, MD, FACOG, MSCP, is a board-certified OB-GYN, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner. She is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The New Menopause, a book written to empower women with evidence-based menopause care. She earned her medical degree from Louisiana State University Medical Center and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), where she is now an Adjunct Associate Professor.
In 2021, she founded Mary Claire Wellness, a clinic committed to providing comprehensive menopause care. In 2023, she launched ThePauseLife.com, a trusted resource for women navigating menopause. A sought-after speaker and educator, Dr. Haver is a regular contributor to national media and has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, The Today Show, CBS Mornings and Oprah’s Menopause Revolution. Her social media presence has grown to more than 7 million followers, where she continues to demystify menopause with relatable, science-backed content.
Through her writing, clinical practice, and digital presence, Dr. Mary Claire Haver has become the trusted voice in menopause care — empowering women worldwide to embrace this life stage with confidence and vitality. When not traveling the globe empowering women to lead their best lives, Mary Claire resides in Galveston, Texas and Telluride, Colorado with her husband Chris, two daughters, Katherine Claire and Madeline Claire, and their chiweenie, Rex.
#menopause #perimenopause #womenshealth #galvestondiet #pauselife #thenewmenopause
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LIKE HELL HRT DOESN’T CAUSE CANCER!! My friend has been taking HRT and NOW SHE HAS BREAST CANCER!!! BAD, REAL BAD ADVICE!
I have pcos plus firoids and having heavy bleeding . My Gyn has put me on all different birthcontrol pills to control the bleeding its not working. I have gained so much weight because of all off the different birthcontrol I been on . Im Just with everything Im going through . It's Hell !
60. No HRT. No Symptoms. I've been active and watched my weight for years. Still a size 6. Sometimes 4. Flat stomach. I just walk 5-6 Miles 6 days a week. Add some weight training. Healthy eating.
And there are many studies showing that metabolic dysfunction plays a larger role than estrogen loss as the main driver of weight gain in menopause. Please talk about going into perimenopause in optimal metabolic health. If we really want to empower women we need to get this message out to the younger ones
My male Dr every year said I didnt need HRT. Just eat phytoestrogen foods lol. I went back to.my obgyn for hrt. 😊
My gp just told me that HRT will not fix my belly fat 😊 and is also prescribing ozempic for my NOT obese friends willing to pay 😮😮
I can't take hormones due to migraines with numbness and tingling. I have no idea what to do about the weight gain and perimenopause symptoms. Is there a safe alternative for people like me?
So how does one go about the weight gain and change in body shape post menopause????
I am about to turn 47 and over the past 2 years, I’ve put on a bit of weight and it’s all in my midsection and no matter what I do, it doesn’t budge! It’s so discouraging and makes me feel so uncomfortable in my own body. Hopefully I can find a way to shed these unwanted pounds. I don’t wear nice clothes anymore because I look terrible in everything and it’s so depressing 😢
Thank you for confirming this information, my body is changing and there's no real reason.
You’re the one who said these things to us..
I have not gained weight, but my fat distribution has shifted. I was bleeding for 5 MONTHS and begging for the gyno to check my estrogen. They finally did, and it’s 17. I only just stopped bleeding about a week ago and all of my perimenopause symptoms are far worse. When a doctor at the clinic told me that my out of range liver, thyroid, A1C, and blood glucose would come down with lifestyle changes I wanted to scream. I walk daily, do resistance training, consume plenty of probiotics, fiber, and protein, and limit bet carbs to 20g per meal. I gave a new PCP appointment mid May and I’m coming in with FACTS now. I’m not letting them blame me for what the low estrogen is doing. I’m already on a birth control that is supposed to raise it 15-20 points so if they try to tell me it’s not perimenopause I’m going to point to my estrogen and ask them to please explain it. I’m so tired of physicians who have no clue.
How do you get it off with zero energy?
Finally someone who understands. I am a 56yr old woman. My weight fluctuates. Dr's are always telling that I must lose weight.
My perimenopause started in 2016, and iv suffered all the things, including the weight gain! My dr has very willingly prescribed me all the tricks to try and shift it including Vyvanse, Ozempic (which I couldn’t tolerate) and waygovi which I couldn’t afford. Nothing works, so he was just blunt amd said the only thing of it’s not a medical condition that causes weight gain is food and suggested I only eat salad!
Not your fault! I have learned from the wonderful Dr is you fight for yourself! If your Dr isn't listening, find another or keep trying until they listen!!! ❤
This is actually devastating, as there is less we can do about it. It it was our “fault”, at least it would be possible to avoid
Increasing my water, protein, sleep, fiber, pilates, walking taking supplements along with bioidentical hormones ( estradiol and testosterone) pellets and I'm still having a hard time.
I can see how an extra 20 to 30 pounds gained could be the cause of perimenopause, but 50 to 60, as in my case?? I just have a hard time believing it. I'm working closely with my doctor to balance my hormones, but I'm still steadily gaining. I haven't omitted sugar completely but ive cut down dramatically and I know I probably should if I want drastic results. Before peri, I could stop eating a second helping at dinner and lose 5 to 10 pounds. Those days r gone. I have no hope.
Yes! If I'm 56 and went in estradiol, will it become any easier?
Thank you Dr. Haver honestly it been very hard 63 and struggling trying to find help. They tell me over 60 they don’t treat a cysts on my ovary and they don’t give HRT hormone therapy. I can’t get answers why I’ve put in weight. My doctor and endocrinologist pushing hard to get me on Ozempic. Ref to a nephrologist that refused to see me and msg back to my doctor that I need to be on Ozempic and kidney cleanse.
Yes several doctors and all what they want to do is get me in Ozempic!
It’s demoralizing!!!!!
Siiii , me dijo : deje de comer, y yo como sano, inclusive hago ayuno intermitente..
I've been athletic all of my life and am lean and strong, yet I put on a little weight. I went on HRT and put on nearly 10lbs quickly so I hate that this is suggested as a way to help with weight gain. I'm aware that it's water weight mostly, but it does kick up the appetite.
I kept telling them but they didn’t listen 🎧 my TSH is normal and free T4 is 0.59 and I’m so exhausted even though I exercise every day. Insomnia doesn’t help either 🤪
Doctors don't even ask about your diet. I gained a bunch of weight after my hysterectomy. Yet, doctors recommend GLP1 without even asking whether or not I have an appetite or what I eat! It's ridiculous. They just assume that if you are fat, you must stuff your face with hamburgers 🍔 and fries 🍟 and milkshakes all day! In reality, I hardly eat and usually eat low-carb and non-processed food! Time for doctors to get better training and ask better questions!
Menopause + hypothyroidism + ADHD + constant stress and cortisol = HELL😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢 I ballined up 60 pounds. It is only through drastic changes in my food and intermittent fasting that I lost the extra pounds.
Hit me at 48 … Gained 30 pounds. I don't drink soda, alcohol, or juice, exercise daily, .. mainly fruit for sweet. Anyway started hrt one month ago for shoulder and neck pain. Already on vaginal estrogen. I'm 51.
Do u have kinks with the info on her or bhrt
Exactly eat less,exercise more!! I get embarrassed to go to my yearly exams, it's nothing but women bashing, it's shameful treatment
Add a metabolic disease like Hashimoto’s on top of it and it’s even worse
I really needed to hear this today! I've been rail thin my entire life. Up until about two years ago when I went into menopause. I've gained 52 lbs…and as vain as this might sound…just wanted to isolate myself away from everyone. I've since come to my senses and have been getting out and moving a lot more. I've been experiencing almost every symptom one can experience on this journey. But the weight gain is the most frustrating and difficult aspect of it. Thank you so very much for your videos! They're definitely helping me to understand what's happening hormonally. You're demystifying such confusing and scary symptoms that I was absolutely not ready for!
I'm 55, I exercise 5 times a week for at least 200 minutes total, including strength training. I eat very healthy – no fast food, no fried food,
lots of fruits and vegetables and I am still having a hard time keeping my weight in check! For the most part I am, but it is literally a battle. And I see other women my age at the gym working hard too and we're all walking around looking exhausted.
This is such liberating news! I have been resisting those kind of comments and medical advice that it's my fault!
It is disheartening to exercise religiously and following a meal plan aimed to help with weightloss BUT there are no positive results. I don't even feel like exercising anymore because I just keep gaining weight around my mid section.
No one wants to rx me estrogen patches bcz I’m 60. I had a total hysterectomy w bilateral ovaries removed 11 years ago & never taken any since then. 😢 weight gain statement is true about five lbs a year 😢
Does HRT have any impact on weight gain? What’s the solution to the weight gain?❤
Also, EVERYONE has different experiences with menopause too! Just because you see a thin menopausal woman doesn't mean she doesn't have any of the other symptoms. I'm 59. Wish I knew I should have started this sooner!😢 I'll be starting my Bioidentical HRT here soon!🎉
What do I do..I can't lose this pregnancy looking belly
Help! Which of your books should I read first? 😊
Doed hrt not causes more gain weight?
My OBGYN said to try weight watchers. My GI doc says I have celiac. So frustrating.
Question. If someone has an IUD with hormones released does that make the body feel like menopause and cause weight gain?