What to do with menopausal abdominal obesity and what medication to take

Menopausal abdominal obesity can be improved by adjusting diet, increasing exercise, hormone replacement therapy, taking orlistat, using metformin, and other methods. Menopausal abdominal obesity is usually associated with factors such as decreased estrogen levels, slowed metabolism, muscle loss, insulin resistance, and elevated stress hormones.

1. Adjust diet

Reduce intake of refined carbohydrates and saturated fats, increase the proportion of dietary fiber and high-quality protein. Choose low glycemic index foods such as whole grains, green leafy vegetables, and soy products, and control daily total calorie intake. Avoiding a high salt and high sugar diet and having regular meal times can help stabilize blood sugar levels.

2. Increase Exercise

Engage in aerobic exercise and resistance training every week. Aerobic exercises such as brisk walking and swimming, lasting for at least 30 minutes each time, combined with strength training such as squats and plank support, can increase muscle mass. The intensity of exercise should be gradually increased to avoid joint injuries.

3. Hormone replacement therapy

Using estrogen and progesterone preparations under the guidance of a doctor can improve metabolic abnormalities. Commonly used drugs include estradiol valerate tablets, estradiol drospirenone tablets, etc., and strict evaluation of indications and contraindications is required. Regular monitoring of breast and endometrial conditions is required during treatment. 4. Orlistat lipase inhibitors can reduce dietary fat absorption and are suitable for obese patients with a body mass index exceeding 28. Adverse reactions such as oily stools and increased gastrointestinal exhaust may occur. Long term use should be noted for the deficiency of fat soluble vitamins.

5. Metformin

insulin sensitizer can improve insulin resistance status, especially suitable for patients with concomitant glucose metabolism abnormalities. Common adverse reactions include gastrointestinal discomfort and dosage adjustment for patients with renal dysfunction. Regular monitoring of liver and kidney function should be conducted during medication. Menopausal women should establish a long-term weight management plan and maintain weekly weight monitoring records. Ensure 7-8 hours of high-quality sleep daily and relieve stress through meditation, social activities, and other means. Regularly conduct bone density and blood lipid testing, and if necessary, develop personalized dietary plans under the guidance of a nutritionist. Avoiding excessive dieting and vigorous exercise, and gradually improving lifestyle is more conducive to healthy weight loss.