What Causes Rapid Weight Gain in Women?

According to traditional belief, reasons for weight gain are lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits. These factors are undoubtedly responsible for weight gain, but there can be more to it, especially when it comes to rapid weight gain in women. It is frustrating when you are unaware of the cause of weight gain and are unable to fix it. Many medical conditions can be responsible for unreasonable weight gain in women and can lead to diseases such as diabetes, fertility issues and other problems.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome can be one of the possible reasons of rapid and unexplainable weight gain in women. It usually starts building up around puberty, and the weight gain goes on for years as women are unaware of their condition. In this syndrome, ovaries or other adrenal glands excrete too much of a male hormone. Some of the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome include thinning of hair, excessive facial hair, acne problem and irregular periods. The cause of this syndrome is unknown and is thought to be genetic.

Menopause

Menopause causes a number of changes in the body, one of which is redistribution of weight in the body. This period in a woman's life brings about drastic hormonal changes in the body, which leads to a number of problems such as greater appetite, lack of sleep and depression. These hormonal changes are permanent and make it very hard to maintain body weight during the start of the menopause years. Rapid weight gain from menopause can be controlled at some level by eating right and regular exercise.

Cushing Syndrome

Cushing syndrome in women is caused by a tumor in pituitary glands that results in hormonal imbalance. This syndrome is due to the rise in the level of the hormone cortisol in the body that is also released when a person is stressed. The body reacts to this hormonal disturbance by storing energy and increasing weight. It is a rare metabolic disorder that can go undiagnosed over the years and result in rapid weight gain in women.

Drugs and Medications

Birth control pills are one of the major reasons of uncontrolled rapid weight gain in women today. The increase in weight because of these pills is not excessive but is rapid. Other drugs and medications that may be a reason of rapid weight gain in women include antidepressants, diabetic medications, migraine relievers, anti-psychotic and anti-inflammatory medicines. The weight gain from the use of medications can be taken care of through tough exercise routines and a healthy diet plan.