If you've decided to explore hormone replacement therapy, your next question may be: Should I use an estrogen patch, gel or pill? The answer depends on more than convenience.

You haven’t dramatically changed how you eat, but suddenly your jeans fit differently. Your waist seems thicker, weight is settling around your middle, and the things that worked in your 20s and 30s don’t seem to work anymore. If you’re wondering, “Why is my belly getting bigger after 40?” you’re certainly not alone.

If you’re asking yourself, “Why am I gaining weight even though I haven’t changed my diet?”, you’re not imagining that something may have changed. Weight is influenced by much more than food alone. Your age, muscle mass, activity level, hormones, thyroid function, sleep, medications, metabolic health, fluid balance, and other medical conditions can all influence body weight and body composition.