Why Some Women Lose Weight in Menopause (and When to Seek Help)

Many people associate weight gain with menopause, and for good reason — changes in weight and body composition are a common side effect of the hormonal evolution that occurs during the menopausal transition.  

But these changes in weight don’t always mean gain — they can also include weight loss. You may be wondering, why am I losing weight in menopause? Understanding the factors that can contribute to losing weight in menopause may help ease concerns around the ways your body is changing, or might change in the future, as you embark on your menopausal journey.  

How Common is Weight Loss During Menopause? 

While losing weight during menopause isn’t commonly spoken about, it’s not something that affects many women. “Weight loss experienced during menopause is not very common,” explains Shannon Brasil, a board-certified nurse practitioner who specializes in menopause care. “More often, a redistribution of weight to the midsection of the body is noted, which makes women feel like they may have actually gained weight.”¹ 

How do Hormones Impact Weight During Menopause? 

The hormone fluctuations that start during perimenopause and continue through menopause don’t directly influence hunger, but they may have secondary effects on the dietary habits of menopausal women.  

“The loss of estrogens and progesterone during menopause is not directly linked to the appetite center in the hypothalamus,” Brasil says. “However, the loss of these hormones can often cause women to not sleep well, feel fatigued and even irritable, which can indirectly lead to feelings of hunger.”²  

Reasons for Unexplained Weight Loss in Menopause 

While they often indirectly increase appetite, hormone changes can also affect the body in ways that may make a woman want to eat less during menopause. These may include: 

Digestive Issues  

Science suggests a link between hormone fluctuations and gastrointestinal (GI) problems, with many women experiencing bloating and abdominal pain during menopause.³ These symptoms could potentially cause women to eat less, or differently, which in turn, can contribute to weight loss.  

Mood Changes 

“Physical and mental changes that occur during this transitional period of life can lead to depression, which can decrease appetite and contribute to weight loss,” Brasil says.⁴ Anxiety during menopause can also lead to weight loss; people may lose up to 15% of their body weight due to an anxiety and the chronic stress associated with it.⁵ 

Loss of Muscle Mass 

Decreased levels of estrogen during menopause can affect muscle size and function, leading to a loss of muscle mass.⁶Althought the loss of muscle mass can lead to a lower metabolic rate, when you lose muscle, you may also lose weight, overall⁷, as muscle tends to be denser than fat. 

Mouth and Taste Changes  

Mucus membranes in the mouth have sex hormone receptors. Because of these receptors, changing hormone levels during menopause can contribute to the onset of unique sensations including mouth burning, numbness and tingling.⁸  

Estrogen receptors in the mouth may also affect a woman’s sense of taste during menopause.⁹ Decreased appetite may occur as a result of these new mouth sensations and changes in taste.  

When to See a Healthcare Provider