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Question
09 Mar 2007
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Progestorone & weight gain
I am on the 3 month injection for 7 years now. My body fat percentage has increased from 18% to 29% (ideal should be 20% fat according to my BMI) over these years, regardles a healthy diet and cardio & weight training exercises 6 days a week. Is the progestorone in the injection possibly the reason? And if so, in what way? Does progestorone increase appetite or maybe slow down one's metabolism?
Please advise?
Please advise?
DietDoc
Dear Letitia
It is possible that any female hormone supplementation will cause weight gain, but in some women it actually causes weight loss - this is an individual reaction. You don't mention if you are actually overweight or not? and I do not agree with the desired body fat% that has been prescribed for your. Normal women who are not elite athletes have a normal body fat% of 24%, not 20% according to Prof Tim Noakes from UCT. Female hormones increase fat storage in the female fat depots (breasts, hips and things), which is a gender-related phenomenon. This is to prepare the female body for childbearing and to provide fat stores for pregnancy. You could discuss your contraception with the prescribing dr and ask him/her if you can't use an alternate method that does not lead to fat deposits in the body.
Best regards
DietDoc
It is possible that any female hormone supplementation will cause weight gain, but in some women it actually causes weight loss - this is an individual reaction. You don't mention if you are actually overweight or not? and I do not agree with the desired body fat% that has been prescribed for your. Normal women who are not elite athletes have a normal body fat% of 24%, not 20% according to Prof Tim Noakes from UCT. Female hormones increase fat storage in the female fat depots (breasts, hips and things), which is a gender-related phenomenon. This is to prepare the female body for childbearing and to provide fat stores for pregnancy. You could discuss your contraception with the prescribing dr and ask him/her if you can't use an alternate method that does not lead to fat deposits in the body.
Best regards
DietDoc
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