Weight gain and menopause

If you gain weight in midlife, you’re not alone. Women put on an average of 1.5 pounds per year between the ages of 40 and 60. About two-thirds of women ages 40 to 59 and nearly three-quarters of women older than 60 are overweight, meaning they have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25. Being overweight increases the risk for many health problems, including:

Genetics, aging, and changes in your lifestyle or hormones contribute to weight gain. As a woman, you also lose about 1% of your muscle mass each year starting around age 30. Your metabolism slows, and you burn fewer calories at rest and during physical activity. That means you may put on pounds even if you keep the same diet and exercise routine you did in younger years. 

Evidence doesn’t show menopause makes you gain weight. But as the ovaries ramp down their production of estrogen and progesterone, you may notice your body stores more fat in your midsection instead of hips and thighs.

Manage your weight with simple, healthful lifestyle habits.

If long-term lifestyle changes don’t help you achieve a healthy weight, ask your doctor whether a medical problem or certain medication may be causing weight gain. Your doctor can also help you explore weight-loss treatments, such as prescription medication or bariatric surgery.