How to Lose Hormonal Weight Gain
By Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Wokingham
Hormonal weight gain — weight that accumulates despite reasonable diet and exercise and resists conventional weight loss efforts — is one of the most frustrating health challenges. It is driven by imbalances in oestrogen, progesterone, cortisol, thyroid hormone, and insulin, each of which affects fat storage, appetite, and metabolism in distinct ways. Traditional Chinese medicine addresses hormonal weight gain by restoring the organ function that governs metabolism — primarily the spleen, liver, and kidneys.
Common Hormonal Drivers
Oestrogen dominance — promotes fat storage particularly in the hips, thighs, and abdomen. Impairs thyroid function. See our article on flushing out excess oestrogen. Cortisol — chronic stress drives abdominal fat storage through cortisol's effects on insulin and fat cell receptors. See our article on stress belly fat. Hypothyroidism — slows metabolism significantly, causing weight gain despite no change in diet. Insulin resistance — particularly relevant in PCOS, drives fat storage and prevents weight loss. Menopause — declining oestrogen shifts fat from peripheral to central distribution.
TCM Approach
In TCM, hormonal weight gain almost always involves spleen qi deficiency producing phlegm-dampness, liver qi stagnation impairing metabolism, and often kidney yang deficiency reducing metabolic rate. Treatment combines spleen-strengthening, liver-regulating, and kidney yang-tonifying approaches. Acupuncture regulates appetite hormones, improves insulin sensitivity, and addresses the stress-cortisol cycle. Chinese herbal medicine treats the specific pattern. See our full article on Chinese medicine for weight loss.
To discuss hormonal weight gain, contact me or book a consultation in Wokingham.
