Unlike a "beer belly" in men, which reflects an excess of beer, a "hormonal belly" is not the result of an epicurean lifestyle. It illustrates a woman's body that lives and sometimes suffers the whims of hormones. Still poorly understood and often misinterpreted as a sign of laziness, this weight gain is beyond our control. To "treat" this hormonal belly, the best remedy is self-love and, above all, self-understanding, even if it means going through drastic diets.
Hormonal belly: understanding it to better accept it
In mainstream women's magazines, articles harshly condemn that stubborn roll of fat nestled at the corner of the stomach, gently implying that it's undesirable in our silhouette. They approach the problem from the wrong angle, focusing on appearance rather than the cause of this bulge. When you Google "hormonal belly ," you mostly find advice on how to "get rid of it" or exercises to "fix" it, as if our entire charm depended on it. This is all thanks to the unfortunate myth of the flat stomach that has haunted us since we were old enough to read.
Yet, this hormonal belly, which sits at hip level and sometimes spills over jeans, is neither a flaw of nature nor a sign of overindulgence. It's not simply "excess fat," but a silent message from the body, sometimes difficult to decipher. Articles perpetuate our ignorance and keep us in denial, presenting diets as the only solution.
However, the hormonal belly is completely unaffected by detox juices and diet salads. Unlike the post-meal belly that forces us to unbutton our pants, this one is made of visceral fat, meaning it goes beyond mere aesthetics. The position of the uterus also plays a role in the reflection and gives the impression of a bulge below the navel. Since biology classes only briefly touched on female hormones and the menstrual cycle, it's time to fill in the gaps and put an end to this endless battle over body image.
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This can cause hormonal belly fat
Throughout the menstrual cycle, the belly changes dramatically, leaving us puzzled in front of the mirror. During menstruation, it doubles in size and remains taut like a balloon, while during the follicular phase, it flattens by a few centimeters. This is a biological phenomenon. However, a constantly visible hormonal belly indicates an internal imbalance that a two-hour cardio session couldn't resolve. The body doesn't "store fat randomly": it's often a biological response to stress, fatigue, or natural hormonal fluctuations.
The role of cortisol (the stress hormone)
Cortisol is one of the main culprits. When stress becomes chronic (mental overload, pressure, lack of sleep), the body goes into survival mode and stores more energy as abdominal fat. This is often accompanied by cravings, a harder or tighter stomach, and persistent fatigue. Too much intense exercise or strict diets can worsen the problem, as they also increase internal stress.
Insulin and sugar management
Insulin regulates blood sugar. If meals frequently cause blood sugar spikes (frequent sugar consumption, snacking, low protein or fiber intake), insulin levels remain high, which promotes fat storage, especially in the abdominal area. Therefore, one can have a protruding belly even without being overweight overall.
Female hormones in conflict
In women, the menstrual cycle, stopping or starting hormonal contraception, PCOS, endometriosis, or perimenopause strongly influence the abdominal area. Fluctuations in estrogen can lead to water retention and lower abdominal fat storage. Low progesterone can contribute to bloating, slowed digestion, and a feeling of a distended abdomen.
The hormonal belly speaks aloud what the body is experiencing quietly
Hormonal bellying isn't a burden or a blatant physical injustice. Rather, it's an indicator, a point of analysis. Instead of trying to eliminate it with drastic, even barbaric, methods, it's better to first learn to interpret it and understand its language beyond the surface. This hormonal belly, unfairly demonized, is a silent signal, not a source of grief. It needs balance, not restriction.
Forget those "fat-burning" herbal teas that only make you feel guilty, and instead opt for medicinal plants that offer genuine benefits for hormonal well-being. Raspberry bud macerate, for example, is very useful for regulating estrogen, while lemon balm is effective in combating stress.
Your body craves gentleness and affection, not punishment. It's trying to tell you something, but the little voice of commands sometimes prevents you from listening. You're not the problem; society and its countless dictates are.
