Khaberni - Many women in their mid-forties face a puzzling paradox; despite adhering to a balanced diet and regular exercise, weight indicators begin to change, clothing sizes shift, and belly fat appears with no notable changes in lifestyle, a phenomenon that has long been popularly attributed to menopause, while medical data suggests that its roots begin years earlier.
According to a scientific report published by ScienceAlert, primary care physicians, endocrinologists, and obesity management specialists confirm that these complaints are a daily occurrence among women who maintain a healthy lifestyle, yet their bodies enter a different physiological phase known as "pre-menopause," a transitional period that lasts for several years before menstruation stops completely.
During this stage, the body's efficiency in processing sugars and carbohydrates declines, and the metabolic rate during rest slows down, leading to a gradual increase in weight, especially in the abdominal area, even in the absence of clear changes in diet or physical activity. Not only does this affect the number shown on the scale, but studies also indicate a shift in the body's composition itself, where many women lose muscle mass in favor of deep fat surrounding vital organs.
This visceral fat is a health risk factor, linked to higher chances of developing type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, liver issues, and sleep disorders. Experts warn against relying on the traditional advice "eat less and move more," affirming that it does not consider the hormonal complexity of this life stage.
Experts believe that strength and resistance exercises are crucial elements for maintaining muscle mass and improving insulin sensitivity, alongside the importance of adequate protein intake, good sleep, and stress management. They also emphasize the need for medical checks to focus on metabolic health and body composition, not just weight, and to discuss hormonal treatment options early when necessary.
Doctors conclude that metabolism does not falter as one ages, but rather resets itself for a new stage, and understanding these changes enables women to healthily adapt to their bodies instead of constantly struggling against them.
