Estrogen prevents menopausal obesity

Obesity is one of the complications of menopause. Menopausal obesity (MO) may progress to high-risk MO (high cardiovascular risk menopausal obesity; HRMO), which is associated with clinical cardiovascular disease and shortened lifespan. Weight control is the key to preventing MO/HRMO. Estrogen in the form of menopausal hormone treatment (MHT) has been shown to prevent or retard the development of MO and the development of intrathoracic visceral fat. This article reviews the mechanisms by which estrogen, as MHT, may prevent or improve MO and its progression to HRMO. We present this personal perspective to emphasize this clinical effect of MHT as further justification for its use in menopausal women.