Oestrogen and Weight Distribution

Oestrogen and Weight Distribution

Sex hormones have wide ranging effects on body composition, metabolism, and weight distribution. If you are taking oestrogen for feminising hormone treatment, then you may notice changes in how weight is distributed in your body. Fat is likely to collect around your hips and thighs. Fat under the skin may also thicken, which may make the contours of your arms and legs appear smoother. Your muscle mass may also decrease.

Although oestrogen typically changes the distribution of weight in the body, there is no evidence that oestrogen causes overall weight gain or weight loss. Hence, significant changes in overall body weight are unlikely to be due to the oestrogen itself. Nonetheless, it is important to note that how your body responds to oestrogen will be influenced by many other factors, such as diet and exercise. To maintain muscle tone and maintain a stable weight, it is recommended that you engage in regular exercise.

In addition to visible changes in weight distribution, oestrogen can be associated with changes in fat metabolism, including increased triglycerides in the blood. This can be associated with increased lifetime risks of blood clots, heart disease, and strokes compared to the general population. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that these conditions do not have singular causes, but are the outcomes of multiple causal factors, including smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, diet, obesity, and inactivity. Hence, the overall risks of these conditions can be decreased by having regular health checks to address any factors that may be relevant.

References

Deutsch M (2020). "Information on Estrogen Hormone Therapy". UCSF Transgender Care. https://transcare.ucsf.edu/article/information-estrogen-hormone-therapy
Getahun D, Nash R, Flanders WD, Baird TC, Becerra-Culqui TA, Cromwell L, Hunkeler E, Lash TL, Millman A, Quinn VP, Robinson B, Roblin D, Silverberg MJ, Safer J, Slovis J, Tangpricha V, Goodman M (2018). "Cross-sex Hormones and Acute Cardiovascular Events in Transgender Persons: A Cohort Study". Annals of Internal Medicine, 169(4): 205-213.
Tangpricha V, den Heijer M (2017). "Oestrogen and anti-androgen therapy for transgender women". Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, 5 (4): 291-300.

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