Weight Gain Surprises
3. You May Be Gaining Weight Because of Medications
Some prescription drugs used to treat depression, mood disorders, seizures, migraines, blood pressure, and diabetes can cause weight gain, from a modest amount to as much as 10 pounds per month. Some steroids, hormone replacement therapy, and even oral contraceptives may also cause gradual weight creep. Your medicine cabinet might be the cause of your weight gain if you’ve gained 5 or more pounds in a month without a change in your lifestyle.
“Every drug works a little differently to cause weight gain, from increasing appetite, altering the way fat is stored, to how insulin levels change,” says May. “And not all drugs have the same side effects on all people.”
In the case of antidepressants, weight gain may not even be related to the action of the drug — feeling better can also result in a heartier appetite. Some drugs can cause fluid retention that shows up on the scale as weight gain, but is not fat, and is usually easily corrected.
Experts say that some of the most common types of medications that may cause weight gain are:
- Steroids
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Antiseizure medications
- Diabetes medications
- High blood pressure medications
- Heartburn medications
But it’s important to remember that a few extra pounds may be well worth the trade-off of what a particular medication does for your overall health, experts say. Further, even if your medications are the cause of your weight gain, you still need to be mindful of eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise.
“Rarely is the problem solved with a change in meds,” says May. “These things can contribute, but rarely are the sole cause of the weight gain.”
If you suspect your medication is causing weight gain, talk to your health care provider to see about changing your prescription. But whatever you do, don’t go off your medication without seeking medical advice.
“There could be very serious consequences if you stop taking your medication without consulting your physician,” says May.
4. You May Be Gaining Weight Because of a Medical Condition
The most common medical condition that causes weight gain is hypothyroidism. A deficiency of thyroid hormone can decrease metabolism, causing appetite loss and weight gain.
“If you are feeling fatigued, lethargic, swelling, hoarse voice, intolerance to cold, sleeping too much, or headaches, you should see your doctor for an easy test to determine if you have hypothyroidism,” says May.
Much rarer is a condition known as Cushing’s syndrome — a disorder caused by an excess of the hormone cortisol — that can also result in weight gain.
5. You May Be Gaining Weight Because of Menopause
Women reach menopause at a range of ages, but most are in midlife and are often less physically active than when they were younger. Along with aging comes a natural slowing of metabolism. At the same time, hormonal changes can trigger hunger, depression, and poor sleep.
“It is multifactoral. When women go through menopause, they lose estrogen, causing their shapes to change — usually a loss of hip and thigh weight. And they start to gain more in the middle,” says Bowerman. She explains that estrogen favors fat deposition in the lower body, and when you lose this hormone, fat is more likely to be deposited in the midsection (much like men). This spare tire around the middle has been not so affectionately called the “menopot.”
The key to avoiding this extra belly fat is to maintain and increase the amount of lean body mass, which will, in turn, increase your metabolism or calorie burn rate.
“Women need to understand how critically important weight lifting and strength training is to their health,” says Bowerman. And don’t worry, doing strength training won’t make women muscle-bound, experts say.
Exercise also helps offset bone loss that can come with menopause. A combination of exercise and a healthy, calorie-controlled diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is the answer to thwarting menopausal weight gain.
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