The Hidden Link Between Hormones and Insulin Resistance in Menopause

Thrive Collective
Oct 17
2 min read

As women move through perimenopause and menopause, the natural decline in hormones doesn’t just influence mood, sleep, and libido — it also impacts metabolism, energy, and body composition.

One of the most overlooked connections is between sex hormones and insulin resistance — a silent driver behind weight gain, fatigue, and accelerated aging.

At Thrive Collective, we help women understand how these hormonal changes interconnect, so you can take back control of your health and vitality.

1. DHEA: The Foundation Hormone

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is produced by the adrenal glands and acts as a precursor to both oestrogen and testosterone.

As DHEA declines with age, women often notice reduced energy, libido, and muscle tone. Because it feeds into your body’s production of other hormones, low DHEA can also accelerate the decline in oestrogen and testosterone — worsening symptoms of metabolic slowdown.

2. Testosterone: Strength, Energy, and Sugar Control

Though often labelled a “male” hormone, testosterone is vital for women. It supports muscle mass, mood, bone density, and blood sugar balance.

When testosterone levels drop, muscle mass declines — meaning less tissue available to absorb glucose. The result? Higher blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, making it easier to gain fat (especially around the middle) and harder to lose it.

3. Oestrogen: The Natural Insulin Sensitiser

Oestrogen plays a powerful role in keeping your metabolism stable. It enhances insulin sensitivity, supports healthy cholesterol, and prevents visceral fat accumulation.

As oestrogen levels fall in menopause, insulin resistance tends to rise — leading to stubborn weight gain, fatigue after meals, and increased risk of prediabetes or diabetes.

4. Progesterone: The Balancer and Soother

Progesterone promotes calm, restorative sleep and balances oestrogen’s effects. It also helps modulate insulin indirectly through its impact on stress hormones.

When progesterone drops earlier than oestrogen (a hallmark of perimenopause), women may experience oestrogen dominance, which worsens bloating, sugar cravings, and mood swings — all of which contribute to poor metabolic health.

5. Insulin Resistance: The Common Thread

Insulin resistance develops when cells stop responding effectively to insulin, the hormone that helps move sugar from the bloodstream into your cells for energy.

Low oestrogen and testosterone both increase insulin resistance — while high insulin, in turn, disrupts hormone balance further by suppressing sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) and increasing inflammation.

It’s a vicious cycle that fuels weight gain, fatigue, and accelerated ageing.

The Takeaway

Balancing your hormones isn’t just about easing hot flushes — it’s about protecting your metabolic health, brain function, and long-term vitality.

Through functional medicine testing and tailored treatment plans, our team at Thrive Collective helps women identify the root causes of hormone imbalance, insulin resistance, and inflammation to restore optimal function at every level.