{"id":632012,"date":"2025-04-18T18:36:20","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T22:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=632012"},"modified":"2026-07-21T21:35:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T01:35:21","slug":"weight-gain-in-women-causes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/weight-gain-in-women-causes\/","title":{"rendered":"What causes weight gain in women? Related conditions and treatments"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview: What does weight gain in women look like?<\/h2>\n

Weight gain in women is often linked to lifestyle, hormonal changes, or both. Sometimes, it involves an increase in overall body mass, but sometimes, it presents more like a sudden or gradual increase in belly fat. Weight gain in women may also be accompanied by related symptoms such as bloating or loss of muscle mass.<\/p>\n

If you are a female who has noticed unexplained weight gain, it\u2019s essential to know that multiple factors can contribute to a higher number on the scale. Below, learn more about the most common causes of weight gain in women.<\/p>\n

What causes weight gain in women?<\/h2>\n

Several factors contribute to weight gain in women. These include lifestyle influences like diet and exercise, medical conditions, and certain medications.<\/p>\n

Calorie surplus<\/h3>\n

When people consume more calories than they burn, their body mass increases. That\u2019s why some of the most common causes of weight gain in any population are related to diet, exercise, or both.<\/p>\n

Research<\/a> shows that ultra-processed diets tend to cause excess calorie intake, which leads to weight gain. Some of the most high-calorie foods are processed foods, including refined carbohydrates<\/a>, high-sugar foods, and foods full of saturated fat. Conversely, too little exercise can cause weight gain because calories are consumed at a higher rate than burned.<\/p>\n

Hypothyroidism<\/h3>\n

Hypothyroidism<\/a>, or an underactive thyroid gland, affects 4.6%<\/a> of Americans ages 12 and older. It is more common in females than males. Not all women with hypothyroidism experience body weight changes, but weight gain is one of the most common symptoms, according to JaLorean Hayes MPH, BSN, registered nurse and founder of Meal Maps<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe thyroid gland regulates metabolism, and when it underperforms, the body slows down, leading to weight gain,\u201d explains Barbara Sparacino, MD, a triple board-certified physician and founder of The Aging Parent Coach<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)<\/h3>\n

Polycystic ovary syndrome<\/a> (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age<\/a>. The hormone imbalances associated with PCOS also cause insulin resistance, which is strongly associated with weight gain in adults<\/a> and increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany women with PCOS struggle with weight gain, especially in the abdomen,\u201d says Jennifer Nicole Bianchini, RD, IFNCP<\/a>, a registered dietitian and functional nutrition practitioner. \u201cHowever, not all women will gain weight or experience difficulty losing weight \u2026 Some forms of PCOS are not directly associated with insulin resistance or inflammation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bottom line: Women with PCOS often gain weight easily \u2014 and struggle to lose weight when needed. However, seeking personalized treatment for your PCOS type can help with weight management.<\/p>\n

Perimenopause and menopause<\/h3>\n

Dr. Sparacino and Bianchini say that the hormonal shifts associated with perimenopause and menopause<\/a> can cause body composition changes. Sometimes, those changes include weight gain or difficulty losing weight.<\/p>\n

\u201cEstrogen<\/a> plays a role in weight distribution,\u201d explains Dr. Sparacino. \u201cAs [estrogen] levels decline with age, women may notice weight shifting to the midsection. Bianchini says some women report body fat shifting from their hips and thighs to their bellies. \u201cEven women who are not experiencing lifestyle or diet changes can experience unintentional weight gain due to these hormonal shifts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anyone experiencing significant weight gain during menopause should seek personalized medical advice from their primary healthcare provider or gynecologist. Some body composition changes can be treated with diet and exercise, but some might require nutritional supplements, prescription drugs, or hormone therapy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t

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High cortisol<\/h3>\n

Cortisol<\/a> is a naturally occurring hormone often dubbed \u2018the stress hormone.\u2019 However, cortisol also regulates metabolism and immune response. According to Bianchini, when a woman is chronically stressed, her cortisol levels can stay elevated, triggering a cascade of hunger cravings, elevated blood sugar, insulin resistance, and fat storage.<\/p>\n

Another rare but possible cause of high cortisol? Cushing\u2019s syndrome<\/a>, a condition \u201ccaused by excess cortisol production, often due to prolonged steroid use or adrenal gland dysfunction,\u201d says Dr. Sparacino. \u201c[Cushing\u2019s syndrome] can cause rapid weight gain, especially in the face, upper back, and abdomen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimately, high cortisol levels can increase several risk factors for obesity<\/a> and overweight. Any woman concerned that stress is leading to weight gain should consider stress reduction strategies (yoga and biofeedback) and consult her healthcare provider about lab testing and lifestyle changes that might improve her ability to manage stress.<\/p>\n

Metabolic syndrome<\/h3>\n

Metabolic syndrome is closely linked<\/a> to abdominal weight gain. In fact, belly fat is a symptom of metabolic syndrome, and <\/i>metabolic syndrome can increase belly fat.<\/p>\n

Metabolic syndrome is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that raise your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, according to the National Institutes of Health<\/a> (NIH). The conditions include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and unhealthy cholesterol levels (high triglycerides and low HDL). \u201cThe combination of these conditions promotes fat accumulation,\u201d explains Bianchini.<\/p>\n

Some women with metabolic syndrome find it challenging to lose weight \u2014 but the good news is that with the right lifestyle changes, metabolism syndrome is reversible, according to UCLA Health<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t