Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
TLDR: lack of estrogen didn’t single-handedly cause your weight gain in midlife.
But the loss of it DID reveal what was already deficient.
A lot of experts in the last week have been making content around the new study done on women in midlife and saying that it proves that hormones are a significant contributing factor to weight gain in midlife.
But that is simply NOT what this study says.
We cannot pass the buck here. It is far more likely that if you’ve experienced weight gain in midlife, it’s because you showed up to the party with a myriad of other challenges at play that are now compounding.
I want to continue to talk about the things you CAN control, and the things you CAN do outside of HRT. Because whether or not you opt in for HRT - which is all good - you will need to have these foundations for long-term health in play.
**P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:
Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife. drstephanieestima.com/newsletter
Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results. drstephanie.ca/lift
TLDR: lack of estrogen didn’t single-handedly cause your weight gain in midlife.
But the loss of it DID reveal what was already deficient.
A lot of experts in the last week have been making content around the new study done on women in midlife and saying that it proves that hormones are a significant contributing factor to weight gain in midlife.
But that is simply NOT what this study says.
We cannot pass the buck here. It is far more likely that if you’ve experienced weight gain in midlife, it’s because you showed up to the party with a myriad of other challenges at play that are now compounding.
I want to continue to talk about the things you CAN control, and the things you CAN do outside of HRT. Because whether or not you opt in for HRT - which is all good - you will need to have these foundations for long-term health in play.
**P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:
Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife. drstephanieestima.com/newsletter
Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results. drstephanie.ca/lift
