Medical Weight Loss Specialist in Columbia, MD and Greenbelt, MD

At Women’s Wellness MD, we recognize that weight gain in women can stem from a variety of factors, including lifestyle, hormonal fluctuations, medical conditions, and emotional health. While consuming more calories than the body burns is a common cause, several other underlying issues play a significant role.

• Lifestyle Factors: Modern life often leads to unhealthy dietary choices, including high-calorie processed foods and sugary drinks. A busy schedule can also leave little time for exercise, reducing the body’s ability to burn calories.

• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause, as well as conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hypothyroidism, can disrupt metabolism and appetite, contributing to weight gain.

• Medications: Some medications have weight gain as a side effect, making it harder for women to manage their weight.

• Emotional Health: Stress, anxiety, and depression can influence eating habits, often leading to emotional eating and disrupted sleep patterns, further contributing to weight gain.

• Genetics and Sleep: Genetics and insufficient sleep also play a role in weight regulation. Poor sleep disrupts hormones that control hunger, leading to increased cravings and weight gain.

At Women’s Wellness MD, we offer compassionate care to address these factors, creating personalized strategies for effective weight management.

We understand that unexplained changes in weight can be concerning, particularly for women. If you experience significant weight loss—more than 5% of your body weight within six to twelve months—without intentional diet or exercise changes, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. For women, this is especially important as unexplained weight loss can sometimes indicate hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, or gynecological conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), menstrual irregularities, or fertility issues.

You should seek medical attention if you notice a persistent decline in your weight that doesn’t relate to lifestyle changes. Additional symptoms such as loss of appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, difficulty swallowing, or changes in bowel habits should also prompt a visit to a healthcare provider.

For women experiencing menopause or perimenopause, weight changes are common due to hormonal fluctuations, but unexplained weight loss still requires investigation. Chronic health conditions, like thyroid disease, can also cause unexpected weight changes, making it important to get evaluated.

At Women’s Wellness MD, we offer compassionate care to help identify the causes of unexplained weight loss and provide the appropriate treatment and support for your health and well-being.

We understand that losing weight can have profound benefits for women’s health, especially in addressing issues unique to women.

• Hormonal Balance: Weight loss can help regulate menstrual cycles, improve fertility, and manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Maintaining a healthy weight also supports healthy pregnancies and assists in postpartum recovery, improving overall reproductive health.

• Chronic Disease Prevention: For women, losing weight reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers like breast and endometrial cancer. It also helps regulate blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels, which is especially important during and after menopause.

• Joint Health: Excess weight can strain the knees, hips, and lower back, leading to joint pain and conditions like osteoarthritis. Weight loss reduces this strain, improving mobility and quality of life.

• Mental and Emotional Well-being: Weight loss can boost self-confidence, improve sleep, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, which are common concerns for many women.

At Women’s Wellness MD, we provide compassionate care and personalized strategies to help women achieve and maintain a healthy weight for overall health and well-being. Even modest weight loss offers powerful benefits.

We recognize that weight loss is a unique and personal journey for every woman. The most effective way to lose weight involves creating a consistent calorie deficit—consuming fewer calories than your body uses. Our team supports you through a combination of healthy eating, regular physical activity, and, when appropriate, medical interventions like Semaglutide GLP-1 and Tirzepatide.

We focus on a balanced diet rich in whole foods, vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains, to provide essential nutrients while helping to manage calorie intake. Reducing processed foods, sugary drinks, and high-fat snacks is also crucial. At Women’s Wellness MD, we customize nutritional guidance to meet the unique needs of women at various life stages, whether navigating hormonal changes, pregnancy, or menopause.

For some women, medical weight loss treatments like Semaglutide GLP-1 and Tirzepatide can support weight management efforts by regulating appetite and improving insulin sensitivity. Our medical providers will work with you to develop a plan that’s safe, effective, and tailored to your health needs. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Columbia, MD & Greenbelt, MD. We serve patients from Columbia MD, Greenbelt MD, Ellicott City MD, Jessup MD, Savage MD, New Carrollton MD, College Park MD, Beltsville MD, Bowie MD, and surrounding areas.