Experiencing Hormonal Weight Gain? Reset Your Hormones with Chinese Medicine
Struggling with weight gain is a far too common problem for most adults. In the United Kingdom, it is believed that over 68% of adults over the age of 18 are either overweight or obese.
Add to that the common advice of simply eating less and moving more, and it is no wonder why unwanted weight gain is still an issue. As it turns out, weight gain is about for more than just the number of calories taken in at meals.
There is a hormonal component to weight gain, and all the exercise in the world may not do the trick to resolve it. To learn more about hormone imbalance weight gain, read on.
What is Hormone Imbalance Weight Gain?
In its simplest terms, weight gain is an indication that the body is storing more energy than it is using. There are many hormones that may lead to weight gain when they are not in proper balance. Insulin, for example, has been shown to lead to fat storage while limiting the body’s ability to burn fat. Low amounts of thyroid hormones are also a known cause of weight gain. Estrogen weight gain is also a common case where excessive estrogen promote too much fat to be stored in the body. Chronic stress and disrupted sleep can affect cortisol, appetite, energy levels and metabolic health, making healthy weight management more difficult.
For many women, however, female hormones causing weight gain is common, especially weight gain during the transition to menopause. As women approach their later years and begin perimenopause, the result is often an increase in belly fat as well as water retention. This is due to the rapid decrease in estrogen levels that women experience during this transition.
How Do I Know If My Weight Gain Is Hormonal ?
Signs to look out for include:
- Unexplained or stubborn weight gain, particularly around the abdomen
- Persistent tiredness or low energy
- Feeling unusually cold, dry skin or thinning hair
- Irregular periods or changes to your menstrual cycle
- Strong sugar cravings, increased hunger or energy crashes
- Poor sleep and ongoing stress
- Weight changes during perimenopause or menopause
- PCOS-related symptoms, such as irregular periods or increased facial or body hair
These symptoms don’t always mean that hormones are behind your weight gain. If your weight has changed unexpectedly or you’re experiencing other symptoms, it’s important to rule out conditions such as thyroid problems or PCOS.
Chinese medicine looks beyond weight alone to understand the underlying patterns that may be contributing to changes in the body. Rather than focusing solely on the number on the scales, it considers the bigger picture, including digestion, energy levels, sleep, stress and menstrual health. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, imbalances in Qi, Yin and Yang, or patterns such as Dampness, may be relevant to how the body functions.
The aim isn’t a quick fix, but to understand the potential root causes behind your weight changes and take a more personalised approach to supporting your overall wellbeing. By addressing these factors alongside sustainable lifestyle habits, Chinese medicine offers a holistic perspective on weight management that considers your individual needs.
Will Losing Weight Fix My Hormones, or Do I Need to Balance My Hormones to Lose Weight?
The relationship between weight and hormones works both ways. Excess weight, particularly around the abdomen, can affect insulin sensitivity and hormonal function, while conditions such as PCOS, thyroid disorders and perimenopause can make weight management more challenging.
This means that weight management and hormonal health often need to be addressed together. Losing weight, where appropriate, may improve certain hormonal and metabolic markers, while identifying and treating underlying hormonal conditions can help make weight management more manageable. Clinical research supports this two-way approach.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, understanding the individual factors contributing to weight changes is also important. This includes looking at digestion, energy levels, sleep, stress and menstrual health alongside your wider lifestyle and medical history.
Everyone is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. At GinSen, we offer a free personalised consultation to help you understand your individual needs and explore an approach tailored to you.
Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Perspective
At GinSen, TCM practitioners look at patterns involving the Spleen, Liver, Kidney, Heart and Lung systems. These are traditional functional concepts rather than the anatomical organs alone. Symptoms such as digestive changes, fluid retention, stress, menstrual changes, sleep disturbance and fatigue can help a practitioner identify an individual weight gain root cause. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hormonal weight gain is primarily linked to imbalances in the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney.
The Five Organs and Weight Changes in Chinese Medicine
| Organ | Role in TCM | Possible Weight Patterns | Common Symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spleen | Digestion and fluid transport | Abdominal weight gain, fluid retention | Bloating, fatigue, poor appetite |
| Liver | Qi flow and emotional balance | Stress-related weight changes | Irritability, mood swings, PMS |
| Kidneys | Water metabolism and Yin-Yang balance | Fluid retention, difficulty managing weight | Feeling cold, fatigue, lower back pain |
| Heart | Blood circulation and emotional wellbeing | Emotional eating, sleep-related weight changes | Anxiety, insomnia, palpitations |
| Lungs | Qi and fluid regulation | Puffiness, fluid accumulation | Cough, dryness, shortness of breath |
These associations reflect traditional Chinese medicine theory and are not medical diagnoses or established causes of weight gain.
TCM also identifies hormonal imbalances like estrogen dominance to blockages or deficiencies in the Liver and Kidneys, which affects the body’s ability to metabolise and eliminate excess estrogen. It is also worth noting that, the transition to menopause is one of the most common forms of hormonal weight gain. In addition to the increase in abdominal fat, women may experience weight gain around the hips, glutes, and thighs as well.
3 Ways Chinese Medicine Can Help With Hormone Imbalance Weight Gain
1.Rebalance Yin and Yang: When there is a deficiency in Yin or Yang, it may result in weight gain. Rebalancing Yin and Yang will help to restore the body’s flow of Qi and ensure the organs are able to function properly. When balance is restored, the kidneys and spleen will be better equipped to rid the body of toxins while allowing the digestive system to do its job of absorbing and transporting nutrients.
2. Improve the flow of Qi to boost metabolism: If blood and Qi are not properly flowing, the body will not be able to digest and absorb nutrients. This can result in a desire to eat more since the body is not getting the vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients that it needs to function at its best.
3. Address the root cause as well as symptoms: While TCM practitioners endeavour to bring balance to the body to improve health, there may be additional symptoms that require treatment. For example, women during menopause put on weight is due to deficiency of Yin.
Yin represents the nourishing, cooling, and moistening.
Without enough Yin to nourish and moisten the body, fluids may accumulate and lead to bloating and water weight gain. A deficiency of Yin can also lead to poor quality sleep or other sleep disturbances as well as hot flashes.
How to Reset Female Hormones for Weight Loss with Acupuncture
Bringing balance to Yin and Yang can help to achieve weight loss, and one way to do that is through the ancient practice of acupuncture.
Originating in China thousands of years ago, acupuncture is the insertion of thin needles into certain points of the body. It helps to resolve blood stasis which in turn will help to improve the function of the body’s organs. Thanks to its ability to improve the flow of Qi, it helps to relieve bloating and improve metabolism.
Acupuncture can also help with hormone imbalance and weight loss by helping the release of endorphins to provide a calming effect which reduces stress. As one’s mood improves due to the presence of neurotransmitters, patients may also experience appetite suppression.
Lifestyle Support For Hormone Weight Gain: Exercise, Sleep & Stress
Research suggests that regular exercise, good-quality sleep and stress management can support metabolic and hormonal health in women. A 2022 pilot randomised controlled trial in women with PCOS found that Tai Chi was associated with improvements in BMI and testosterone levels, while research on women’s sleep highlights important links between reproductive hormones, sleep quality and cortisol regulation.
Alongside treatment, a combination of aerobic exercise, light resistance training, Tai Chi/Qigong, adequate sleep and stress management may therefore support healthy weight management and overall wellbeing.
How to Lose Hormonal Weight Gain with Cupping
If the imbalance of Yin and Yang results in heat, a TCM practitioner may use cupping. This type of treatment places cups on the skin in order to generate negative pressure using suction. This suction will help to improve blood flow, restore hormone balance, and remove toxins.
A study out of the Shanghai Institute of Acupuncture used cupping along with acupuncture in the treatment of obesity and found that 90% of those treated with cupping reported improvements in waist size and body mass index (BMI) as compared to the non-cupping group at 78.6% reporting improvement.
Herbs for Hormone Imbalance Weight Gain
Those wondering how to reset female hormones for weight loss using herbs have a few options available. For example:
- Goji Berries: Goji berries’ has the ability to lower oxidative stress which can help with weight loss. A study out the University of the West in Santa Catarina in Brazil demonstrated that those who supplemented with goji berries reported a decrease in waist circumference and an improved lipid profile compared to those who took no supplements.
- Spirulina: Including this type of algae along with a healthy diet may help to reduce waist circumference and reduce body fat. Some who have tried spirulina for weight loss have even reported feeling a reduction in appetite.
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How do I know if my weight gain is caused by hormones?
Hormonal changes may contribute to unexplained weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, alongside symptoms such as fatigue, irregular periods, poor sleep, increased hunger or changes in energy levels. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, weight changes are also considered alongside digestion, stress, energy levels and menstrual health. A personalised assessment can help explore the patterns that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Can Chinese medicine help with hormonal weight gain?
Chinese medicine takes a holistic approach to weight management, looking beyond weight alone to consider digestion, energy levels, sleep, stress and menstrual health. Depending on your individual presentation, treatment may include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and personalised dietary and lifestyle guidance. The aim is to address the underlying patterns identified through traditional Chinese medicine and support your overall wellbeing.
Why am I gaining weight even when I eat healthily and exercise regularly?
Weight gain despite healthy eating and regular exercise can be frustrating. From a Chinese medicine perspective, a practitioner may explore patterns involving Spleen Qi deficiency, Dampness or Liver Qi stagnation, considering symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, fluid retention and stress. These traditional patterns offer a different perspective on your symptoms, although they do not replace medical explanations for unexplained weight changes.
Can Chinese medicine help with stubborn belly fat?
Traditional Chinese medicine does not view abdominal weight gain in isolation. A practitioner may consider digestion, fluid metabolism, stress, sleep and the balance of Qi, Yin and Yang when assessing your individual presentation. Stress may also play a role in abdominal weight gain, as explored in our guide to stress and belly fat. Personalised acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and lifestyle guidance may be considered as part of a wider weight-management approach, although there is currently insufficient evidence to establish that Chinese medicine specifically reduces belly fat.
Can Chinese medicine help with PCOS-related weight gain?
PCOS can be associated with insulin resistance, irregular periods and changes in androgen levels, which may make weight management more challenging for some women. Chinese medicine practitioners may consider individual patterns involving Qi stagnation, Dampness or other traditional diagnostic findings when developing a personalised approach. Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and lifestyle guidance may be explored as complementary options, although evidence remains insufficient to establish Chinese medicine as a treatment for PCOS itself.
For women looking for additional support, GinSen’s PCOS Weight Imbalance Kit offers a product option to explore as part of a personalised wellness routine. If you’re unsure what may be suitable for your needs, book your free personalised consultation with GinSen to discuss your concerns and available options.
Can Chinese medicine help with weight gain during perimenopause and menopause?
Traditional Chinese medicine recognises menopause as a transition that may involve changes in Yin and Yang, sleep, energy levels and emotional wellbeing. A practitioner may consider these factors alongside symptoms such as night sweats, fatigue, disrupted sleep and changes in weight distribution. Personalised treatment may include acupuncture, appropriate herbal medicine and dietary or lifestyle guidance to support wellbeing during this stage of life.
For women looking for additional support, GinSen’s Menopause Weight Loss Kit is another option to explore as part of a personalised wellness routine. Book your free personalised consultation with GinSen to discuss your individual needs and find out which approach may be suitable for you.
For more information about how Chinese Medicine can help you lose hormone imbalance weight gain, book your free consultation with our Chinese Medicine experts today
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We can’t guarantee the treatment result, as the symptoms of conditions are unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person. The treatment length and recovery time also varies for individual. Please visit our clinics website: GinSen where a specialists will discuss your care and provide a consultation, and the treatment will be designed to meet your individual needs.
