Perimenopause, Weight Changes, and Metabolism
Understanding the Nervous System Connection
Many women notice unexpected changes in weight or metabolism during perimenopause, even when their nutrition and activity habits have not significantly changed. These shifts can feel frustrating and confusing, but they are often the result of a combination of hormonal changes, stress physiology, and nervous system regulation.
Understanding how these systems work together can help create a more supportive and effective approach to midlife wellness.
Why Weight Changes Can Occur During Perimenopause
During perimenopause, estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate, influencing several systems that affect metabolism, including:
Blood sugar regulation
Fat storage patterns
Muscle mass maintenance
Appetite signaling
Energy production
These hormonal changes can make the body more prone to storing weight, particularly around the abdomen, even when lifestyle habits remain relatively consistent.
The Role of Stress Hormones
In addition to reproductive hormones, the body’s stress hormone system plays a significant role in metabolism. When the nervous system is frequently in a stress-response state, cortisol levels may remain elevated for longer periods. Over time, this can:
Encourage abdominal fat storage
Increase cravings for high-sugar or high-carbohydrate foods
Disrupt sleep, which affects metabolic balance
Reduce the body’s efficiency in using stored energy
Because perimenopause often increases stress sensitivity, supporting the nervous system becomes an important part of maintaining metabolic balance.
Why Nervous System Regulation Matters
The nervous system plays a central role in regulating hormone signaling, digestion, recovery, and energy balance. When the body is better able to shift into recovery mode, it can more effectively:
Maintain stable energy levels
Support healthy digestion
Adapt to hormonal transitions
Rather than focusing on metabolism alone, addressing nervous system function helps support the body’s overall adaptability during this stage of life.
How Chiropractic Care May Support Metabolic Balance
Chiropractic care focuses on optimizing communication between the brain and body through the spine and nervous system. Gentle adjustments help the nervous system move more efficiently between stress and recovery states, which plays an important role in overall hormonal and metabolic regulation.
Women receiving regular chiropractic care during perimenopause often report:
Improved energy levels
Better sleep quality
Reduced tension and stress load
Greater consistency in overall well-being
Feeling more resilient to daily demands
Objective nervous system scans can also provide measurable insight into how the body is adapting to stress and help track improvements over time.
Additional Supportive Strategies
Supporting metabolic health during perimenopause often involves a combination of approaches, including:
Strength-based and mobility-focused exercise
Balanced nutrition supporting stable blood sugar
Prioritizing sleep and recovery
Stress-regulation practices such as breathing or mindfulness
Consistent nervous system–focused chiropractic care
Small, sustainable adjustments tend to be more effective than extreme approaches, helping the body adapt gradually and maintain long-term balance.
A Whole-Body Perspective on Midlife Wellness
Weight and metabolism changes during perimenopause are not simply about diet or exercise — they reflect a complex interaction between hormones, stress physiology, and nervous system regulation. Supporting all three areas allows many women to feel more energized, balanced, and confident as they move through this transition.
Support for Women in Somerset County
At Far Hills Family Chiropractic, care is designed to support women through every stage of life, including perimenopause and menopause, using gentle chiropractic care and nervous system–focused assessments to help the body function at its best.
If you are noticing changes in energy, metabolism, or stress resilience, personalized nervous system–focused care may help support greater balance during this stage of life.
Learn more about our Perimenopause & Menopause Chiropractic Care
