I have previously written posts lamenting the “paunch” and weight gain we menopausal women experience. (See “Do You Have Menopause Paunch” and “Cool Sculpting: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.”) However, not until after a consultation with an endocrinologist did I know that cortisol can play a part in making us look like we are three months pregnant.
There is a ton of information regarding cortisol but here’s a synopsis. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced and released by the adrenal glands. For those who have forgotten your human biology course, these glands are located on top of your kidneys. Cortisol affects almost every organ in the body by regulating its response to stress, controlling metabolism, suppressing inflammation, regulating blood sugar and blood pressure, and helping to control sleep-wake cycles.
If the glands don’t regulate cortisol effectively, excess or insufficient cortisol levels can be harmful to your health.
I sought the advice of an endocrinologist due to rapid weight gain, insomnia and high blood pressure, all of which were very concerning to me and which had been ongoing for a few years. In order to determine if my cortisol levels were to blame, the doctor ordered a 24-hour urine test sample. During this 24-hour period, I poured samples of my pee into a container that was filled with some sort of acid. (I can’t remember the type of acid, but a huge warning label warned that I wasn’t to spill any of it on me or on anything else.) I then delivered the container to the lab for processing.
Alas, the lab report indicated that my cortisol levels were within range. Evidently, I can only blame my weight gain on menopause and stuffing my face with too many calories.
I enrolled in Weight Watchers today!!
The Atrophied Vagina Club 