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Menopause-related complications

  

The image shown is a model and not a real patient.

  

For many women, the menopausal transition period can be a time of accelerated weight gain. The rate of fat gain doubles during this time, continuing at this pace for ~2 years after the onset of menopause.2 This change happens as a result of hormonal changes which occur during menopause, contributing to increased fat mass and reduced lean muscle mass.2

  

Menopause and the body

Learn about the connection between menopause, obesity, and cardiovascular risk.

 

 

  

  

Learn more about CVD and obesity

  

Weight management has wide-reaching benefits for women with menopause-related obesity, including improvements in5-7:

  

  

Regular follow-up and monitoring of weight, diet, and activity are essential for long-term success.11-13 Helping women maintain weight loss in the long term can also include the incorporation of group counselling/support groups into their treatment plan, to ensure they have the support they need to overcome menopause-related weight challenges.12-14

  

 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

  

The image shown is a model and not a real patient.

  

PCOS is a common female condition which presents through reproductive, hyperandrogenic, and metabolic symptoms.15 PCOS and obesity are closely linked, and are associated with complications like  insulin resistance, heart disease, diabetes or pre-diabetes, and issues with fertility.16-18

In fact, up to 76% of women with PCOS also have obesity.16 

Weight loss is the primary recommended treatment for PCOS, so it is important to take steps to support women with PCOS and obesity to lose weight.17 A reduction in excess weight can have many benefits, including:

  

  

With your support, women living with PCOS and obesity could benefit from clinically significant and sustained weight loss.17

  

Learn more about how to approach conversations about weight loss with your patients

    

 

HQ25OB00225 | Approved August 2025

  

References

  1. World Obesity Federation. Prevalence of obesity. Accessed June 2025. https://www.worldobesity.org/about/about-obesity/prevalence-of-obesity#:~:text=That's%20why%20we%20consider%20it%20one%20of%20our%20policy%20priorities.&text=In%20adults%2C%20obesity%20rates%20nearly,living%20with%20obesity%20in%202022
  2. Moccia P, Belda-Montesinos R, Monllor-Tormos A, Chedraui P, Cano A. Body weight and fat mass across the menopausal transition: hormonal modulators. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2022;38(9):219–46.

  3. Lambrinoudaki I, Brincat M, Erel CT, et al. EMAS position statement: managing obese postmenopausal women. Maturitas. 2010;66(3):323–326.

  4. Knight MG, Ankeve C, Washington K, Akam EY, Wang E, Stanford FC. Weight regulation in menopause. Menopause. 2021;28(8):960–965.

  5. Campbell KL, Foster-Schubert KE, Alfano CM, et al. Reduced-calorie dietary weight loss, exercise, and sex hormones in postmenopausal women: randomized controlled trial. J Clin Oncol. 2012;30(19):2314–2326.

  6. Kroenke CH, Caan BJ, Stefanick ML, et al. Effects of a dietary intervention and weight change on vasomotor symptoms in the Women's Health Initiative. Menopause. 2012;19(9):980–988.

  7. Avis NE, Crawford SL, Greendale GA, et al. Duration of menopausal vasomotor symptoms over the menopause transition. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(4):531–539.

  8. Lumsden MA, Hor K. Impact of obesity on the health of women in midlife. Obstet Gynaecol. 2015;17(3):201–208.

  9. Mason C, Foster-Schubert KE, Imayama I, et al. Dietary weight loss and exercise effects on insulin resistance in postmenopausal women. Am J Prev Med. 2011;41(4):366–375.

  10. Jensen MD, Ryan DH, Apovian CM, et al. 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS guideline for the management of overweight and obesity in adults. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;63(25 Pt B):2985–3023.

  11. Hall KD, Kahan S. Maintenance of lost weight and long-term management of obesity. Med Clin North Am. 2018;102(1):183-197.

  12. Palacios S, Chedraui P, Sanchez-Borrego R, et al. Management of obesity in menopause. Climacteric. 2024;27(4):357-363.

  13. Ranjan P, Vikram NK, Kumari A, et al. Evidence and consensus-based clinical practice guidelines for management of overweight and obesity in midlife women: an AIIMS-DST initiative. J Family Med Prim Care. 2023;11(12):7549-7601.

  14. Tussing-Humphreys LM, Fitzgibbon ML, Kong A, Odoms-Young A. Weight loss maintenance in African American women: a systematic review of the behavioral lifestyle intervention literature. J Obes. 2013;2013:437369.

  15. Barber TM, Hanson P, Weickert MO, Franks S. Obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome: implications for pathogenesis and novel management strategies. Clin Med Insights Reprod Health. 2019;13:1179558119874042.

  16. Fauser BCJM, Tarlatzis BC, Rebar RW, et al. Consensus on women's health aspects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): the Amsterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored 3rd PCOS Consensus Workshop Group. Fertil Steril. 2012;97(1):28–38.e25.

  17. Panidis D, Farmakiotis D, Rousso D, Kourtis A, Katsikis I, Krassas G. Obesity, weight loss and the polycystic ovary syndrome: effect of treatment with diet and orlistat for 24 weeks on insulin resistance and androgen levels. Fertil Steril. 2008;89(4):899–906.

  18. Wild RA, Carmina E, Diamanti-Kandarakis E, et al. Assessment of cardiovascular risk and prevention of cardiovascular disease in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome: a consensus statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (AE-PCOS) Society. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010;95:2038–2049.

  19. Tolino A, Gambardella V, Caccavale C, et al. Evaluation of ovarian function after a dietary treatment in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2005;119(1):87–93.

  20. Dokras A, Sarwer DB, Allison KC, et al. Weight loss and lower androgen predict improvements in health-related quality of life in women with PCOS. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;101(8):2966–2974.

  

 

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