Weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, is a widely reported menopause symptom that many women find both distressing and difficult to address despite their best efforts with diet and exercise. Falling oestrogen causes the body to redistribute fat toward the waist, while muscle mass decreases and metabolic rate slows — making the familiar approaches to weight management feel frustratingly ineffective.
Abdominal fat also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, making this a genuine health priority beyond appearance alone. At The York Clinic, we help women understand the hormonal drivers behind these body changes and develop a realistic, evidence-based plan that may include HRT — which does not cause weight gain — alongside personalised lifestyle guidance and signposting to nutrition specialists for menopause.
