By Toni Baker – Nourishing Apothecary Clinic
Why Does Weight Suddenly Feel Harder to Manage?
Many women notice a frustrating shift in their weight as they move into perimenopause and beyond. What once felt effortless to maintain can suddenly change—sometimes showing up as that all-too-familiar “meno-pot” (the stubborn weight gain around the middle that just doesn’t seem to budge).
This isn’t simply about “calories in, calories out.” Hormonal changes play a huge role. As estrogen levels decline, we lose much of estradiol’s natural insulin-sensitising effect. This increases the risk of insulin resistance, making it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar and store fat efficiently.
The good news? You’re not alone—and there are solutions. By uncovering hidden factors, you can take back control of your health and weight.
Sneaky Weight Gain Culprits
1. Gut Health
A diverse, balanced gut microbiome is essential for weight regulation. When imbalances occur (known as dysbiosis), opportunistic bacteria, parasites, and yeast like candida can thrive. This leads to inflammation, bloating, and difficulty losing weight.
💡 If gut imbalance is suspected, a comprehensive stool test is recommended. At Nourishing Apothecary, we use the GI-MAP with Zonulin, which also checks for leaky gut markers. Test kits can be mailed directly to you.
2. Stress & Cortisol
Prolonged stress—even at low levels—can wreak havoc on metabolism. Elevated cortisol not only drives fat storage around the middle (“muffin top”) but also reduces muscle mass, slows metabolism, and can weaken the gut lining.
💡 We recommend DUTCH hormone testing to assess daily cortisol rhythms and overall hormone balance.
3. Thyroid Function
The thyroid is your body’s master regulator of metabolism. Low thyroid function—whether due to nutrient deficiencies, oxidative stress, or autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s—can slow metabolism and contribute to stubborn weight gain.
💡 Ask your GP or practitioner for a full thyroid panel: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, plus thyroid antibodies (TPOAb, TgAb).
4. Insulin Resistance
When cells become resistant to insulin, glucose remains in the bloodstream rather than being stored in cells for energy. This not only increases fat storage but also raises the risk of pre-diabetes and diabetes.
💡 Key tests include fasting plasma glucose, an oral glucose tolerance test, and HbA1c.
5. Perimenopause
As estrogen levels fluctuate in perimenopause, the body compensates by converting more estrogen from fat tissue. Unfortunately, this process encourages fat storage and slows fat loss. A sudden drop in estrogen also affects the brain, which can trigger changes in appetite and weight regulation.
The Holistic Approach
As you can see, weight gain in perimenopause is rarely caused by just one thing. Instead, it’s the result of a complex interplay between hormones, gut health, stress, metabolism, and lifestyle factors.
At Nourishing Apothecary Clinic, we take a whole-body, personalised approach—looking at the root causes of weight gain and supporting your body’s natural balance. The result? Improved energy, mood, and confidence, alongside sustainable weight management.
✨ Ready to take control of your weight and hormones?
Book a 1:1 consultation with Toni at Nourishing Apothecary Clinic and discover a tailored plan designed for you.
