Influence of Menopausal Hormone Therapy on Body Composition and Metabolic Parameters

Abstract

The loss of estrogen with menopause is associated with an increase in central fat. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of menopause hormone therapy (HT) on body composition and metabolic parameters in postmenopausal women. A prospective study was conducted among postmenopausal women from the Climacteric clinic, Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Thirty-two participants, median age 51 years, were included. Sixteen women were eligible to receive a low-dose continuous combined HT, containing 1 mg of E2 plus 0.125 mg of trimegestone for 6 months. The other 16 women remained in the control group. In the HT group, significant decreases from baseline were evident for the total cholesterol (TC) (p < 0.05) and LDL levels (p < 0.05). The HDL significantly decreased (p < 0.05). However, the TC/HDL ratio also decreased (p = 0.05). The parameters of body composition, after 6 months of HT, were maintained. In the control group, body mass index levels increased from baseline, however, with nonstatistically significant differences (p = 0.06). Analyzing the body composition showed a significant increase in the trunk body fat (p = 0.04), trunk region fat (p = 0.04), and total region fat (p = 0.03) after 6 months. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence that HT can stunt the increase in total body fat and prevent the shift from a more central fat distribution observed in early postmenopausal period.

Obesity: a gender-view

“…In line with these results, Ahtiainen et al, in a study considering 10 pairs of monozygotic twins, demonstrated that postmenopausal women on HRT (2–10 years) presented a lower waist circumference ( – 6 cm) than their sisters who did not undergo HRT [ 33 ]. More recently, the study by Costa et al in 32 postmenopausal women confirmed that HRT can significantly reduce visceral adipose tissue deposition [ 31 ].…”

Effect of resistance training volume on body adiposity, metabolic risk, and inflammation in postmenopausal and older females: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“… 3 , 4 Indeed, some studies have demonstrated that postmenopausal and older females on estrogen replacement therapy present lower levels of body adiposity, metabolic risk, and inflammation when compared to postmenopausal and older females with no estrogen therapy. 43 , 44 , 45 Collectively, this evidence suggests an important link between estrogen levels with body adiposity, metabolic risk, and inflammation outcomes. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that postmenopausal and older females may have distinct RT adaptations compared to other populations regarding body adiposity, metabolic risk, and inflammation outcomes.…”

Weight loss response to semaglutide in postmenopausal women with and without hormone therapy use

“…Furthermore, HT use decreases vasomotor symptoms during the menopause transition which can lead to improved sleep, increased activity, and overall increased quality of life, all factors that can further mitigate the changes in body composition experienced during menopause 21 . Additional favorable effects of HT use include an improvement in glucose metabolism, a reduction in the risk of diabetes, an improvement in the lipid profile, a decrease in the incidence of MASLD, and an overall favorable impact on CVD risk 10,16,18,22 …”

“…21 Additional favorable effects of HT use include an improvement in glucose metabolism, a reduction in the risk of diabetes, an improvement in the lipid profile, a decrease in the incidence of MASLD, and an overall favorable impact on CVD risk. 10,16,18,22 Weight loss can improve cardiometabolic diseases, consequently decreasing CVD and mortality risks. 23 As CVD is the leading cause of mortality in women and menopause is an independent risk factor for CVD, interventions to prevent weight gain and manage overweight and obesity are of particular importance in postmenopausal women.…”