Hormonal obesity in women: causes of failure, therapy and treatment

What hormonal imbalance causes obesity?

The rate of breakdown of fat and its formation, deposits in the subcutaneous layer and around the internal organs is controlled by the endocrine glands. The hormones they produce can accelerate the accumulation of lipids and stop their breakdown; patients quickly gain weight. Obesity due to disorders of hormone synthesis is less common than food obesity (overeating), but the process of losing weight in such cases is much more difficult.

The most common causes of hormonal excess weight include:

dysfunction of the hypothalamus, which controls eating behavior and the functioning of the pituitary gland;
increased levels of pituitary corticotropin and prolactin, decreased formation of growth hormone;
excess adrenal cortisol;
lack of thyroxine and triiodothyronine in the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism);
excess insulin with tissue resistance to it (insulin resistance);
lack of estrogen in women, increased levels of male sex hormones in the blood;
decreased testosterone formation in men.

Such changes in the functioning of the endocrine glands can cause:

traumatic brain injuries;
surgeries, radiation therapy;
the presence of a tumor in the hypothalamus, pituitary region, as well as neoplasms in the endocrine glands;
autoimmune diseases (formation of antibodies to one’s own cells and subsequent destruction of organs).

Adrenal gland dysfunction occurs due to stress, prolonged infections, severe pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. The hormonal activity of the thyroid gland depends on the supply of iodine and the impact of the environmental situation.

Dysfunction of the gonads appears during chronic inflammatory processes, while taking hormonal drugs. Insulin resistance can provoke obesity, but it often occurs secondary to excess fatty acids in the blood.

Their level increases most often with an addiction to fatty foods. It has been established that an abundance of sweets and flour products in the diet has a similar effect.

And here is more information about the hormone ghrelin.

Losing weight after pregnancy and childbirth

Women often gain weight while carrying a baby. This happens due to hormonal changes, which are very significant during this period. The principle of losing weight in this case is no different from that used for hormonal obesity, but with some amendments:

the process of losing excess weight may take longer;
the diet should not be depleted, i.e. it should contain enough useful substances, especially proteins and calcium;
You should eat food in small portions and avoid heavy foods, since the body is not yet fully restored and it is difficult for it to digest heavy foods;
After the end of the breastfeeding period, it is necessary to reduce the daily diet to 1500 - 1750 kcal.

For a year after giving birth, you need to visit an endocrinologist, who will help you lose weight without harming your health.

Does obesity occur after hormonal pills?

Medications that stimulate weight gain include:

glucocorticoids (analogues of the natural hormone cortisol) – Hydrocortisone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone;
anabolic steroids – Methandrostenolone;
contraceptive pills with an estrogen dose higher than 35 mcg (currently practically not used).

A peculiarity of the use of drugs is that increased appetite and a tendency to overeat persist for some time after stopping use. For patients prone to obesity, gynecologists prescribe low-dose drugs - Logest, Mercilon, Janine, Lindinet. If carbohydrate metabolism is impaired, progesterone tablets are indicated - Exluton, Charozetta.

If long-term glucocorticoid therapy is prescribed, then the only option to prevent obesity is to scrupulously count calories in combination with daily physical activity. If this is not enough, then in addition to them, appetite suppressants are recommended.

Signs of hormonal changes

You can suspect obesity due to a disruption in the formation of hormones based on the following features:

against the background of unchanged nutrition, a rapid increase in body weight occurs;
uncontrollable attacks of hunger occur, including at night, against a background of general weakness, sweating, fever (typical of diseases of the hypothalamus);
predominant deposition of fat in the abdomen, shoulders, chest with thin limbs, red-violet stretch marks, hypertension (action of adrenal cortisol);
in women, the rhythm of menstruation is disrupted, their volume decreases, delays and infertility occur, facial hair grows rapidly and falls out on the head, acne appears (excess male hormones);

in men, the mammary glands enlarge, the volume of the testicles decreases, and there is weak potency and sexual desire (lack of testosterone);
normal or decreased appetite, constant chilliness, swelling of the face, low pulse and low blood pressure, dry yellowish skin (characteristic of thyroid hormone deficiency);
attacks of headache, dizziness, hand tremors, relieved by eating, predominant deposition of fat on the abdomen (excess insulin);
infertility, nipple discharge, enlarged mammary glands in men, sexual weakness (increased prolactin formation).

Endocrine obesity: causes, diagnosis and treatment

Obesity is a pathology that is characterized by the appearance of excess fat deposits in various tissues and organs, mainly in the subcutaneous tissue. Metabolic disorders lead to an increase in the patient's weight by 20% or more relative to average values, and precisely due to adipose tissue. According to statistical studies, in our country this disease is diagnosed in almost every fourth person of working age. The cause of endocrine obesity is various dysfunctions of the endocrine glands, accompanied by insufficient or excessive synthesis of certain hormones.

Obesity greatly increases the risk of developing serious somatic diseases - atherosclerosis, hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, renal and liver failure. Overweight people are more likely to have heart attacks and strokes. In addition, excess fat deposits cause mental discomfort to patients; Often such people are susceptible to depression.

Diagnosis of hormone imbalances

In order to exclude or confirm the connection between obesity and diseases of the endocrine system, the following blood tests are recommended:

Fasting sugar, glucose tolerance test, insulin and C-peptide. With prediabetes, diabetes and excess cortisol, an increase in blood glucose is found. Insulin and C-peptide are significantly higher than normal in pancreatic tumors, less pronounced changes in type 2 diabetes.
Lipidogram - increased cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipid complexes (diabetes, hypothyroidism).
Cortisol and adrenocorticotropin are increased with pituitary adenoma, and if only cortisol, then the cause is diseases of the adrenal cortex.
Estradiol, prolactin, luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone in women - help identify the lack of female sex hormones and establish the cause of increased levels of male ones;
thyroid-stimulating hormone of the pituitary gland increases with low hormonal activity of the thyroid gland (usually due to iodine deficiency), and in case of dysfunction of the pituitary gland it is reduced simultaneously with thyroxine.

Ultrasound of the thyroid gland
In addition to laboratory diagnostics, ultrasound and tomography are recommended to search for the causes of detected abnormalities.

Polycystic ovary syndrome and excess weight

Another relatively common endocrine disorder that causes hormonal excess weight is polycystic ovary syndrome, abbreviated PCOS. This is a disorder associated with an abnormal ovulation process, which is often accompanied by an excess of androgens, that is, male sex hormones, disturbances in the ratio of the tropical hormones LH and FSH, as well as excessive secretion of insulin caused by tissue resistance to its action.

Excess insulin contributes to weight gain and can lead to diabetes. Obesity or overweight is one of the additional criteria for diagnosing the disease. The development of abdominal obesity (male, visceral) is characteristic. There is also excess fat around the thighs and buttocks.

Treatment of hormonal obesity

Secondary obesity due to diseases of the endocrine system is treated taking into account hormonal imbalances. The main methods are a low-calorie diet, increased physical activity, medications for weight loss and restoration of normal hormone levels.

Diet

In order for the process of fat breakdown to prevail over its accumulation, a calorie deficit is necessary. To do this, 500-750 kcal are subtracted from the required calorie intake (physiological need), depending on the degree of obesity. It is necessary that the minimum amount does not fall below 1200 kcal for women and 1500 kcal for men.

It is recommended to eat frequent small meals, exclude sugar, flour products, limit animal fats (meat and high-fat dairy products). Alcohol, store-bought sauces, juices, desserts, and semi-finished products are prohibited.

Principles of treatment and diet rules

The main goals of treatment for obesity are to eliminate the causes that contributed to the failure and medicinal methods. Taking medications alone cannot provide the expected result, since without eliminating the influencing factors, the hormonal balance will be disrupted again.

In the event of a hormonal imbalance, getting rid of obesity is by no means easy; treatment is prescribed after an examination and tests to identify disorders. Complex therapy will help restore hormonal balance, including:

A diet that is developed in accordance with the level of hormones - for example, if there is excess testosterone in the menu, you will need to limit protein, and if there are problems in the endocrine system, you will need to reduce your sugar intake.
Adjusting the regime, including revising the daily routine and increasing physical activity.
Prescribing medications to normalize the production of a certain hormone, or refusing medications that provoke an increase or decrease in the level of active substances.
In especially severe cases, surgical intervention is required.
Changing eating behavior through psychotherapeutic sessions.
Treatment of pathologies of the endocrine system.

A mandatory test is a blood test for hormones. In the initial stages of development of hormonal obesity, therapy can be carried out at home. However, in the second or third stage, active assistance and monitoring from an endocrinologist will be required.

Important! Treatment for hormonal obesity should be comprehensive and carried out against the background of a diet, which an experienced specialist selects individually. Proper nutrition is a fundamental addition to all therapeutic regimens.

There are several important principles that should be followed if you want to lose excess weight:

You need to accustom yourself to include complex carbohydrates in your menu - cereals, grains, grains and vegetables.
It is advisable to consume carbohydrate foods in the first part of the day, since during this period the body is most active.
It is necessary to exclude sweets, baked goods and flour dishes, and high-calorie foods from the menu.
Every day you should eat natural vegetable fats - olives, nuts and seeds, avocados.
Animal fats should also be present in the diet, but in limited quantities; dairy products and sea fish will help ensure their supply.
Meals should be fractional - portion sizes should be reduced, as well as the time interval between meals.
The correct drinking regime is important - you need to consume at least two liters of purified water every day, which will remove waste and toxins, activate metabolism and “burn” fat deposits.

The effectiveness of the diet can be significantly increased if you combine it with sports and long walks.

Useful video

Watch the video about hormonal obesity:

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Why and how does endocrine obesity occur?

To achieve success in the fight against excess weight, it is important to initially establish the cause of this condition. A strict diet and exercise will not always help cope with obesity; without curing the underlying disease, all efforts will be in vain.

The primary role is given to diagnosis; this approach is most relevant if a person is diagnosed with endocrine obesity caused by hormonal pathologies. In the article we will look at the causes, treatment methods and prevention of pathology.

Endocrine obesity: types and prerequisites for development

It is important to understand that in most cases obesity is an endocrine disease. The clinical picture and its manifestations depend primarily on the organ in which the disease develops.

There are several main disorders or prerequisites for the development of neuroendocrine obesity.

Disturbances in fat metabolism

These deviations are associated with decreased functioning of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). This form is the most common.

The main symptoms include:

swelling,
disturbances in the body's metabolic processes,
deposition of fat in subcutaneous tissue,
rapid fatigue, loss of strength,
constant feeling of cold,
drowsiness,
increase in heart rate.

External signs of a violation include:

peeling and excessive dryness of the skin,
formation of roughness on the skin,
brittle nails,
hair loss and fragility.

Pituitary gland lesion

Pathology occurs in two forms.

The first is Itsenko-Cushing's disease

, is characterized by the formation of a tumor-like formation in the area of the anterior pituitary gland.

Main symptoms: formation of adipose tissue on the face, neck, upper shoulder girdle and abdomen.

It should be noted that the appearance of the hips and legs remains unchanged, and stretch marks form on the skin. Women experience disruptions in the menstrual cycle, blood pressure increases, and bone density decreases.

The second is the pituitary-genital

. It is detected in most cases in childhood and adolescence. Accompanied by rapid weight gain, a decrease in the standard period of sexual development, as well as the presence of pathologies in this area.

Sexual type of obesity

It is more common in women with pathological changes in the ovaries, which in most cases is associated with pregnancy, lactation, menopause, and surgery to remove the appendages.

In men, in this case, a change in weight provokes a decrease in sexual function, which over time leads to its extinction. When the testicles are removed, the hormonal levels change.

Endogenous type of obesity

If obesity occurs, the endocrine system most often fails. For example, the endogenous type of obesity has a direct relationship with the level of insulin produced by the pancreas.

In this case, weight gain “gains momentum” in the first few years of development of the pathology and in some cases reaches 20 kg.

How to take an insulin hormone test and the breakdown of its results are described in the article.

If there is a suspicion of pathology, it is important to determine the date of onset of its development. In this case, it is necessary to initially determine that excess kilograms or diabetes arose initially; the approach to choosing a therapy method depends on this.

Most often, when obesity develops in the presence of diabetes mellitus, when the condition is normalized, it is easier to fight excess weight, and the result will be lasting.

Adrenal obesity

The main reason for the development is damage to the organ by a tumor. Hyperplasia (bilateral) or hypercortisolism (exogenous) can also lead to the development of pathology.

In appearance, these manifestations have symptoms similar to Itsenko-Cushing syndrome, i.e. extra pounds are deposited on the face, neck, and stomach.

Prerequisites for pathology

As we have already emphasized, for treatment to be effective, a correct diagnosis must be made.

Diagnostics proceed as follows:

Visual examination of the patient. Each form of pathology has its own characteristics of the location of fat deposits. In some cases, appearance makes it possible to immediately determine the type of pathology and select the necessary treatment.
Analysis of anamnesis. The specialist determines what operations, injuries and diseases the patient has suffered, especially in the area of the endocrine system. This is due to the fact that, for example, pathologies of the pituitary gland can form after damage to the brain.
Tests (urine, blood, hormones, sugar). They provide an opportunity to assess the general condition of the patient.
Additionally, instrumental diagnostic methods are performed:
Ultrasound;
X-ray;
tomography (computer);
biopsy (if there is a suspicion of cancer).

What female hormonal balance depends on can be found in the article.

In some cases, when the prescribed treatment does not bring the desired effect for a long time, secondary diagnostics and correction of the direction of therapy are performed.

Endocrine obesity: treatment

The characteristics of the course and severity of the development of the pathology are directly dependent on the age of the patient. If obesity occurs in a child, it is most often accompanied by complications, and treatment can be very long.

Diet

The main step in getting rid of extra pounds is diet. It is important to know that the main focus is not only on losing weight, but on stopping its growth. But if the excess weight from the norm is significant, the diet should be dietary in order to specifically help get rid of extra pounds.

You should try to avoid sudden changes in weight.

Sport

In addition to dietary nutrition, optimal physical activity is selected to stabilize metabolic processes and blood circulation.

This should not be done by a trainer from a fitness center, but only by a specialist who will assess the condition of the patient’s body and vital organs, his physical fitness, as well as the cause of the pathology.

Causes of obesity due to hormonal imbalance in women

Fat deposition in the subcutaneous layer and around internal organs occurs due to metabolic disorders. The glands of the endocrine system are responsible for this process. If the function of any of them is impaired, one of the first signs may be obesity. Depending on the affected organ, several types of hormonal weight gain have been identified.

Hypothalamic

Clusters of cells (nuclei) of the hypothalamus regulate feeding behavior. When sick, women experience uncontrollable attacks of hunger. Risk factors for this type of obesity include:

traumatic brain injuries;
tumors;
infections (for example, complicated course of influenza);
radiation therapy;
surgeries to remove brain tumors;
genetic defects.

It has been proven that in obesity, the hypothalamus intensively produces hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland - gonadoliberin and corticoliberin. The end result of this effect is an increase in cortisol levels in the adrenal glands and an imbalance of sex hormones with a predominance of testosterone.

And here is more information about hormone tests for obesity.

Pituitary

In the presence of an adenoma (benign tumor) or excessive activity of the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland begins to produce hormones in increased quantities - adrenocorticotropic, follicle-stimulating, luteinizing and prolactin. They change the functioning of the adrenal glands and gonads. The steroids they synthesize provoke the accumulation of fat in the body.

Causes

Causes of hormonal obesity

The following factors lead to the appearance of hormonal obesity:

Hypothyroidism. Damage to the thyroid gland leads to a decrease in its functions. As a result, metabolism slows down significantly. A feature of the disease is a uniform increase in all parts of the body.
Benign formations in the pancreas. Such tumors can cause an increase in insulin levels, which causes a drop in blood sugar. As a result, a person’s appetite increases and there is a constant feeling of hunger. People try to cope with it by eating extra meals. The patient's condition is complicated by the fact that insulin provokes fat retention, which is very difficult to cope with.
Decreased testosterone levels. This factor is typical for men. To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to evaluate testosterone levels. A test for luteinizing hormone levels is also carried out.
Use of medications. Some drugs cause obesity. This condition occurs especially often after the use of corticosteroids. The first symptoms of the disorder include metabolic disorders, increased blood pressure, and abnormal blood composition—primarily an increase in glucose levels. A person may also experience disorders in the sexual sphere, pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, and a severe weakening of the immune system. If such signs appear, you need to do a blood test and evaluate ACTH.
Violation of estrogen levels. In this case, obesity develops in women. This condition is accompanied by a slowdown in metabolism. In order to detect the disorder in time, you need to do a blood test and evaluate the prolactin content.
Increased levels of male hormones in women. This is a common cause of problems. Typically, 50% of obese women have this form of the disease. The reason for the increased synthesis of androgens is tumor lesions of the adrenal glands and ovaries, infections, and damage to the nervous system. In addition to gaining excess weight, such women face problems with their skin - they develop acne. There is also a risk of male pattern hair growth and even the development of baldness. To make an accurate diagnosis, you need to do a blood test and evaluate the levels of cortisol, prolactin, and insulin.
Impaired functioning of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. They are responsible for the functioning of the endocrine system. If the hypothalamus is damaged, there is a risk of weight loss, constant thirst and hunger, temperature changes, sexual dysfunction and emotional state. In addition, the hypothalamus affects the pituitary gland, which affects the functioning of other organs - the ovaries and the thyroid gland.

Be sure to read: The benefits of a fasting day on green tea

Signs and symptoms

Each type of endocrine obesity is characterized by specific manifestations depending on the hormones that caused its development.

Hypothalamic dysfunction

You can suspect hypothalamic obesity based on the following symptoms:

fast fatiguability;
pronounced reaction to changing weather conditions (headache, pressure changes, tingling in the heart);
tendency to allergies;
panic attacks, feeling of lack of air;
increased sweating;
sleep disorders;
increased body temperature in the absence of infections;
chilliness;
frequent mood changes;
unmotivated fears;
early menopause

Dysfunction of the hypothalamus causes uncontrollable attacks of hunger, worsening in the evening. Women may wake up at night because they are very thirsty or want to eat. Body weight increases quickly, and adipose tissue is most developed in the abdomen and thighs.

Excess cortisol

The adrenal or pituitary type of obesity due to increased hormone production is characterized by:

predominant deposition of fat on the body (abdomen, shoulders, mammary glands), typically the formation of a “mound” between the cervical and thoracic spine;
excess hair growth on the body and limbs, face;
purple stretch marks on the abdomen, mammary glands, shoulders;
decreased volume of menstruation, delays;
high blood pressure;
moon-shaped face;
acne;
depressive states;
increased bone fragility (fractures due to minor trauma).

Hypothyroidism

A lack of thyroid hormones slows down metabolic processes, breakdown and elimination of fat. This type of weight gain typically includes:

constant chilliness,
drowsiness,
swelling of the face,
dry skin,
low blood pressure,
slowing down heart rate,
tendency to constipation.

Fat deposits are evenly distributed throughout the body. Appetite is unchanged or even reduced.

Insulin resistance

Obesity due to impaired carbohydrate metabolism is characterized by attacks of hunger with the following symptoms:

feeling of weakness,
sweating,
hand trembling,
headache
cardiopalmus.

Episodes of low blood sugar occur in the morning with a pancreatic tumor or after eating sweets with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. They are provoked by: physical activity, stress, premenstrual period. Fat deposits are present in all parts of the body, but are most pronounced in the waist area.

Patients usually have high blood pressure and severe thirst. Skin folds darken and may peel and itch. Often, against the background of insulin resistance, there is an excess of testosterone (increased hair growth on the limbs, face, acne, greasy skin).

Hypogonadism

A lack of sex hormones in women occurs due to underdevelopment of the ovaries or diseases of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

Hormonal deficiency manifests itself:

fat deposition on the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, chest;
delayed appearance of the first menstruation;
tall, long arms;
excessive joint mobility;
violation of the outflow of bile, constipation;
weakness of the heart muscle (myocardial dystrophy).

Places of fat deposition

Excess prolactin

Increased formation of the hormone contributes to the accelerated conversion of carbohydrates into fats. Due to the inhibition of the formation of lutropin and follitropin, the level of the female sex hormone - estrogen - decreases. Signs of estrogen deficiency include:

reduction of blood loss during menstruation;
long cycle, delays;
lack of ovulation, infertility;
vaginal dryness, pain during sexual intercourse;
decreased sexual desire, difficulty achieving orgasm;
nipple discharge in non-pregnant women;
increase in the size of the mammary glands.

Hyperandrogenism

The predominance of male sex hormones can be suspected if:

persistent acne;
increased skin greasiness;
hair loss on the head and increased hair growth on the face and limbs;
irregular periods, delays, scanty discharge;
proliferation of the inner lining of the uterus with bleeding;
fat deposits on the abdomen and chest, thighs and buttocks are unchanged.

Acne

Clinical picture

To identify this type of obesity, it is necessary to evaluate the characteristics of the clinical picture. When hormones are imbalanced, fat accumulates unevenly, affecting specific areas of the body . This allows an accurate diagnosis to be made.

Accumulation of fat in the upper back and chest area

The cause of such hormonal obesity in women is prolactinemia. Prolactin is a reproductive hormone that prepares a woman for lactation. If the content of this substance increases without pregnancy, there is a risk of swelling and accumulation of large amounts of fat.

The main manifestations of increased prolactin include the following:

Increased appetite;
Swelling;
Pain and breast enlargement - sometimes discharge from the nipples appears;
Problems with menstruation associated with decreased ovarian activity;
Loss of reproductive functions is due to lack of ovulation.

Accumulation of fat around the waist

An increase in folds of fat in this area indicates problems in the functioning of the thyroid gland. Pancreatic pathologies may also be the cause. In this case, the human torso becomes covered with folds. This is caused by thyroid hormones. Insulin can also be a provoking factor.

When insulin synthesis is disrupted, sugar metabolism often occurs. Glucose that enters the body with food is spent not on energy production, but on the formation of fat accumulations. A person becomes weak and his ability to work worsens.

Violation of the synthesis of thyroid hormones provokes a decrease in metabolic processes in the body. As a result, energy reserves are not fully utilized, forming fat accumulations. People who have such problems feel increased fatigue and experience apathy. A characteristic feature of this type of obesity is puffiness of the cheeks.

Accumulation of fat on the thighs and buttocks

The cause of this problem is female hormones. To identify a lack of estrogen, you should pay attention to the following symptoms:

Mood swings, depression, increased irritability;
Loss of sexual desire;
Increased fatigue;
General weakness;
Memory impairment;
Dysfunction of the reproductive organs.

Increased muscle mass

In some situations, people notice a sharp increase in muscle mass. Fat deposits do not appear, and muscle tissue continues to grow. In this case, women develop a masculine figure.

This is a consequence of an increase in the synthesis of male hormones, the main of which is testosterone. The accumulation of fat deposits in representatives of the stronger sex is observed with a deficiency of this element.

Common factors that cause obesity include:

Chronic diseases;
Pathologies of the thyroid gland;
Miscarriage;
Use of hormonal drugs and antidepressants;
Congenital diseases;
Tumor lesions of the ovaries and adrenal glands;
Infections;
Pathologies of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

Be sure to read: Delicious and healthy weight loss menu for 1600 calories per day for women

Examination of women

If external signs of hormonal obesity and typical symptoms are detected, the endocrinologist recommends the following diagnostic methods:

blood test for hormones: pituitary gland (follitropin, somatostatin, lutropin, prolactin, corticotropin, thyrotropin), adrenal glands (cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone), thyroid gland (thyroxine), reproductive (testosterone, estradiol, progesterone), adipose tissue (leptin, adiponectin);
blood sugar and glucose tolerance test, according to indications - insulin and C-peptide;
lipid profile (cholesterol, lipoprotein ratio, triglycerides);
Ultrasound of the adrenal glands, thyroid gland, ovaries, pancreas;
MRI or CT scan of the pituitary-hypothalamic zone of the brain.

Ultrasound of the adrenal glands

Treatment of hormonal obesity

If during the examination a tumor of the endocrine glands is discovered that actively produces hormones, then it is extremely difficult to get rid of excess weight without removing it. In all other cases, drug therapy is prescribed:

hypothyroidism - iodine and levothyroxine;
insulin resistance – Metformin, Glucobay;
hypothalamic syndrome – Diarexan, Meridia, Minifage;
hypercortisolism – Mamomit, Chloditan;
polycystic ovary syndrome - Androcur, contraceptives with an antiandrogenic effect (Diane, Janine);
hyperprolactinemia – Dostinex, Parlodel;
hypogonadism - drugs of progesterone (Norkolut) and estrogen (Folliculin).

Self-medication with any of these drugs is strictly prohibited. This is because the hormonal system is regulated at several levels. Unreasonable use of hormones suppresses their independent formation, which leads to the exact opposite effect - body weight quickly increases. At the same time, all other glands also change their work.

Common to all types of hormonal obesity is the use of drugs under medical supervision that purposefully reduce weight. These include sibutramine (Thalia, Lindaxa, Reduxin), orlistat (Xenical, Orlip). If necessary, they can be supplemented with vitamins D, B12, complexes with iron, iodine, and omega acids.

Watch the video about hormonal obesity in women:

Diet during therapy in women

Any method of treating obesity involves creating a deficit of energy consumed. To do this, you need to consume 500-750 kcal less per day than the calculated requirement. The lower limit of the norm for women with a sedentary lifestyle is 1200, and for moderate physical activity - 1500 kcal.

Basic rules of a therapeutic diet

The basic rules of a therapeutic diet include:

eating small portions (up to 1 glass by volume) 6-7 times a day;
sufficient water intake (30 ml/kg body weight);
last meal 3 hours before bedtime;
sugar, white flour, canned, fried, salty foods, smoked foods, marinades, sweet fruits, alcohol, fatty meat, store-bought sauces, spice mixtures that stimulate the appetite are completely excluded from the menu;
limit the intake of carbohydrates: bread - up to 150 g, porridge - up to 50 g of dry grain, fruits - 1-2 fruits, butter - up to 10 g, vegetable oil - up to 20 g per day;
the maximum content of non-starchy vegetables in the diet - cabbage, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, lettuce, greens, eggplants;
acceptable ingredients are lean meat and boiled fish, cottage cheese 2-5% (100 g), fermented milk drinks 1.5-2% fat without fruit and sugar, egg white, seafood;
boiled potatoes, beets and carrots no more than 100 g per day;
the highest calorie content occurs before lunch, then the amount of carbohydrates and fats must be sharply reduced.

Special diets for hormonal imbalance

Particular attention in case of obesity caused by hormonal problems is paid to the dietary intake. Thanks to proper nutrition, metabolic processes are improved, which helps to gradually get rid of unnecessary pounds.

Metabolic medical diet

In order for hormonal therapy for obesity to be as effective as possible, experts have developed a diet that involves going through 3 stages:

The essence of the first phase is the active burning of fat. To do this, for 2 weeks the patient should eat seafood, fish, poultry and rabbit meat, eggs, vegetables, herbs, and lemons. It is allowed to consume low-calorie fermented milk products, as well as vegetable (preferably olive) oil (1 tbsp per day).
At the second stage, stable burning of fat deposits continues. Breakfast is a combination of one high-calorie product (for example, cheese or chocolate) with a product from the first phase. Beef, cereals, bran bread, nuts, fermented milk products (above 4%), fruits are suitable for second breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack. You can have dinner with products from the active phase. Vegetable juices (freshly squeezed) are recommended.
You can proceed to the third stage after normalization of weight indicators. Products from the first phase are used for dinner, from the second – for second breakfast and afternoon snack. There are no restrictions for other meals.

Meals should be fractional, that is, you should eat small portions every 3 hours. In the evening you can eat 3 hours before bedtime.

Seleno-zinc diet

As the name suggests, you should eat foods containing the mentioned minerals. In addition, the doctor prescribes zinc and selenium supplements.

If the question arises of how to lose weight with hormonal obesity, you should rely on:

oatmeal, pumpkin seeds, blueberries, wheat germ, which contain zinc;
liver (beef, chicken), rice, beans, pistachios, eggs, cottage cheese, which are rich in selenium.

Sugar, canned products, sausages, and baked goods are prohibited.