I want to talk about oestrogen because it isn’t just about periods and hot flushes. Though those are delightful!
This is about what happens when the hormone, which is a major player and has been quietly running your body for decades, suddenly drops by 80-90%.
Not a bit lower. Not slightly decreased.
We are talking a cliff drop.
And it changes absolutely everything.
WHAT DOES OESTROGEN ACTUALLY DO?
Oestrogen isn’t just about reproduction.
It affects:
Your fat storage. Where your body stores fat, and how easily it releases it. After menopause, fat loves to settle around your middle. Thanks, oestrogen. Or rather, lack of it.
Your insulin sensitivity. How well your body processes carbs and manages blood sugar. Less oestrogen = more insulin resistance. We’ll dive deeper into this next time.
Your muscle mass. Starts declining by 3-8% per decade after age 30. Oestrogen helps maintain muscle. Less oestrogen = faster muscle loss. Muscle is metabolically active, which means it burns calories even at rest.
Your metabolic flexibility. Your body’s ability to switch between burning carbs and fat for fuel. After menopause, this gets sluggish.
Your sleep. Hello, 3am wake-up sessions. Oestrogen affects sleep quality and duration. Which then affects everything else.
Your mood. The irritability isn’t you being difficult. It’s biochemistry. Oestrogen influences serotonin and other neurotransmitters.
Your joints and muscles. Widespread aches and pains after menopause? Oestrogen has anti-inflammatory properties. Less of it = more inflammation.
Basically, oestrogen has been your behind-the-scenes support system for decades. And now it’s gone.
WHY THIS MATTERS FOR WEIGHT LOSS
And why the same diet that worked at 35 doesn’t work at 55.
Your body has fundamentally changed how it:
- Stores fat
- Processes food
- Burns energy
- Builds muscle
- Responds to stress
And yet the diet industry keeps selling you the same old approaches.
Just eat less. Move more. It’s simple thermodynamics.
Except it’s not simple. Because your biochemistry has changed.
As a menopausal woman dealing with a rapidly declining oestrogen, a low carb diet can really help with weight loss resistance, brain fog and hot flushes.
Apart from keeping carbs low there are several foods oestrogen loves. One of which is good fats like olive oil, flax seed and sesame seed oils, walnuts, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds and avocados
THE INSULIN CONNECTION
Where it gets interesting and by interesting, I mean infuriating:
Lower oestrogen = decreased insulin sensitivity.
Which means your body doesn’t handle carbs the way it used to.
That slice of toast at 35? No problem. Your body processed it efficiently.
That same slice at 55? Blood sugar spike. Insulin surge. Energy crash. And then you’re reaching for more toast at 11am because you’re starving.
It’s not willpower. It’s hormones.
Next time, we’re diving deep into insulin resistance. Because once you understand this, so much makes sense.
WHAT ABOUT HRT?
You might be wondering what about hormone replacement therapy?
HRT can be brilliant for some women. It can help with symptoms, bone density, and yes, some aspects of metabolism.
But it’s not a magic bullet for weight loss, or for all menopause symptoms. Nor is it not right for woman.
My approach? Work with what your body needs now. Whether you’re on HRT or not, the fundamentals still apply.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Your body during and after menopause isn’t broken.
It’s just operating with different hormones. Which means it needs a different approach.
The good news?
Once you understand what has changed, you can work with your body instead of against it.
And that’s exactly what we are going to do.
NEXT TIME
We’ll look at insulin resistance.
Why that toast is a problem now. What blood sugar spikes actually do. And why you’re starving two hours after eating.
It all connects. I promise.
How are you feeling about the oestrogen drop? Hit reply and tell me. I read every response.
Marie xx
