Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, hormonal imbalances — particularly low estrogen, low progesterone, or elevated cortisol — can directly contribute to weight gain. These shifts affect metabolism, fat storage patterns, and appetite regulation, often making it harder to lose weight through diet and exercise alone.

Declining estrogen during menopause slows metabolism and promotes fat redistribution to the abdomen. Disrupted sleep from night sweats further reduces the hormones that regulate hunger. Addressing underlying hormone changes is often a necessary step before weight loss efforts gain real traction.

HRT does not cause weight gain and may actually help by restoring the hormonal balance that supports healthy metabolism. Many women find that managing estrogen and progesterone levels reduces abdominal fat accumulation and improves energy levels, making it easier to stay active.

Testosterone helps women maintain lean muscle mass, which drives resting metabolism. When testosterone drops — common in perimenopause and menopause — muscle loss accelerates and fat storage increases. Restoring optimal levels through therapies like Biote pellet therapy can support a healthier body composition.

Largely, yes. The shift from estrogen-dominant to lower-estrogen hormonal states redirects fat storage away from the hips and thighs toward the abdomen. This visceral fat pattern is metabolically significant and often responds better when hormone balance is addressed alongside lifestyle changes.

Consider a consultation when unexplained weight gain coincides with other hormonal symptoms — irregular cycles, fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, or sleep disruption. Treating the weight without evaluating hormone status often produces short-term results at best.

Yes, thyroid hormones regulate the body's overall metabolic rate. An underactive thyroid slows calorie burning, increases fatigue, and promotes water retention — all of which make weight loss frustratingly difficult. Thyroid function is commonly evaluated as part of a comprehensive wellness and weight management assessment.

Biote pellet therapy delivers consistent, bioidentical hormone levels that can improve energy, support lean muscle, and reduce the fatigue that derails healthy habits. While it is not a standalone weight loss treatment, optimizing hormones creates a more favorable environment for sustainable weight management.

Estrogen helps regulate insulin sensitivity, so as estrogen declines, cells become less responsive to insulin and blood sugar management worsens. This promotes fat storage and increased hunger — a cycle that makes weight gain feel almost automatic without targeted hormonal and nutritional support.

Consistent strength training, protein-adequate nutrition, quality sleep, and stress management work synergistically with hormone therapy. Hormonal optimization removes metabolic obstacles, but these habits build on that foundation to produce lasting body composition improvements rather than temporary results.

Emsella is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive chair treatment that uses High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy to strengthen pelvic floor muscles. A single session delivers thousands of pelvic contractions — comparable to thousands of Kegel exercises — helping reduce stress urinary incontinence and improving intimate wellness. Most patients complete a series of six sessions with no downtime required.

Dr. Catherine Vanderloos offers sexual dysfunction treatment in Shreveport, LA, with a focus on women's intimate wellness and pelvic floor health. Services such as Emsella use non-invasive technology to address common concerns like urinary leakage and reduced sensation without surgery or recovery time.

Yes, a gynecologist specializing in women's wellness can evaluate and treat pelvic floor weakness that contributes to both bladder control problems and sexual health concerns. Non-invasive options like Emsella are designed specifically to rebuild pelvic muscle strength and improve intimate function for women at any stage of life.

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) certification is a credential awarded to practitioners who demonstrate advanced expertise in menopause care. For patients, it means Dr. Vanderloos has met rigorous standards in diagnosing and managing menopause-related concerns — including hormone changes, weight shifts, and sexual wellness — and stays current with the latest evidence-based treatments.

Dr. Catherine Vanderloos, a gynecologist in Shreveport, LA, offers wellness and weight management services alongside comprehensive menopause and hormone care. Her practice combines evidence-based hormone treatments with a focus on the metabolic and lifestyle factors that affect women's weight and long-term health.

Yes, Dr. Vanderloos addresses weight management as an integrated part of gynecological and hormonal care at her Shreveport practice. Because hormone imbalances — especially those tied to menopause and thyroid function — directly influence body weight, she evaluates and treats these concerns together rather than in isolation.