Weight Gain
It is common for people to experience weight gain around menopause [13]. This weight gain could be caused by a variety of factors not limited to hormonal changes, aging, genetics and lifestyle choices.
Progesterone levels steadily decline during perimenopause. Estrogen levels, on the other hand, fluctuate often. Estrogen levels are more on the higher side at the onset of perimenopause. As one approaches the end of perimenopause, the levels of estrogen decline very much.
Weight gain and high body fat during the reproductive years have been linked [14] to high estrogen levels. Women naturally store fat in their hips and thighs between puberty and perimenopause. When estrogen levels become low, as seen in late perimenopause, more body fat is stored in the belly area.