What hormone causes inner thigh fat in females?

Author: Kenyatta Ward  |  Last update: Friday, January 9, 2026

The main culprit behind weight gain in your thighs is estrogen. This hormone drives the increase in fat cells in females, causing deposits to form most commonly around the buttocks and thighs.

Why am I suddenly gaining weight on my inner thighs?

While everyone's body composition is unique, excess fat accumulation in the inner thigh area can result from a combination of genetic factors, hormonal changes, lifestyle habits, and dietary choices.

How to get rid of hormonal thigh fat?

What Are The Possible Treatments For Hormonal Weight Gain?
  1. Dietary and lifestyle modifications, including but not limited to exercise and stress reduction.
  2. Thyroid hormone replacement.
  3. Testosterone replacement.
  4. OCPs.
  5. Other medications that target hormone excess or resistance to normalize levels.

Which hormone increases thigh fat?

In an observational study of perimenopausal women, an increase in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was associated with an increase in waist circumference5. Interventional studies involving administration of exogenous hormones suggest that estrogen promotes deposition of fat in the hip/thigh area6, 7.

What causes fat on inner thighs?

Estrogen is one of the leading hormonal causes of thigh fat because it causes increased levels of fat cells which cause fat deposits to form in and around the thighs. Age can also be a contributing factor because aging results in a slower metabolism, which makes it more difficult to eliminate fat.

Sudden Flabby Thighs & Butt in Menopause and Perimenopause – Dr. Berg

How do I get rid of the fat between my inner thighs?

Healthy eating and exercise is always recommended, but when it comes to losing inner thigh fat fast and with maintainable results, liposuction is your best answer.

What does stage 1 lipedema look like?

Lipedema stages include: Stage 1: Your skin looks normal, but you can feel something like pebbles under your skin. You can have pain and bruising at this stage. Stage 2: Your skin surface is uneven and may have dimpling that looks like quilted stitching, a walnut shell or cottage cheese.

Does estrogen give you thick thighs?

Estrogen causes a typical female fat distribution pattern in breasts, buttocks, and thighs, as well as its more feminizing effects. During the reproductive years, women get additional fat deposition in the pelvis, buttocks, thighs, and breasts to provide an energy source for eventual pregnancy and lactation.

How to tell if you have low estrogen?

What are the symptoms of low estrogen levels?
  1. Dry skin.
  2. Tender breasts.
  3. Weak or brittle bones.
  4. Trouble concentrating.
  5. Moodiness and irritability.
  6. Vaginal dryness or atrophy.
  7. Hot flashes and night sweats.
  8. Irregular periods or no periods (amenorrhea).

How to flush out excess estrogen?

Eat a healthy diet: Eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet with very little processed sugar can make it easier for your liver to process estrogen. Limit your alcohol intake: Eliminating alcohol or drinking in moderation can help your liver break down estrogen. Reduce your exposure to synthetic xenoestrogens.

Can flabby inner thighs be toned?

Yes, flabby inner thighs can be toned with targeted exercises. Strength training exercises like squats, lunges, and leg presses can help tone and tighten the muscles in the inner thigh area, giving them a more sculpted look.

What body shape is high in estrogen?

A recent study of body shape and hormone levels by Jasieńska et al. (2004) reported that women with the body shape that is found most attractive by males (large breasts and a low waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), e.g. Singh 1993; Henss 2000) have higher oestrogen levels than other categories of body shape.

What foods cause thigh fat in females?

Many wonder, what foods cause excess thigh fat? It's essential to limit the intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats. These foods are high in calories, added sugars, and unhealthy trans fats, which can contribute to weight gain and hinder fat loss.

Why did my thighs get so big all of a sudden?

In lipoedema, the thighs, buttocks, lower legs and sometimes the arms, become bigger due to a build-up of abnormal fat cells. Both legs and/ or the arms are usually bigger at the same time and to the same extent.

What is lipedema in legs?

Lipedema is an abnormal buildup of fat in your lower body. It's a long-term condition that can affect up to 11% of women. Almost all the people who have lipedema are women. Lipedema happens when fat is distributed in an abnormal way beneath your skin, usually in your buttocks and legs.

How to get rid of fat deposits above buttocks?

Liposuction. Liposuction is a well-tolerated surgical treatment that uses a vacuum cannula to break down and remove targeted deposits of fat. The procedure is highly effective at permanently reducing fat deposits and helping improve the contour of the space above the buttocks.

What does a high estrogen face look like?

In women, feminine facial shape (e.g., small jaw, small nose, and reduced interocular distance) is linked to higher estrogen (see Law Smith et al., 2006) and superior immune function (Foo et al., 2020 While the face might be the center of our visual attention, the human body contains numerous morphological features - ...

What are signs of low progesterone?

What are the signs of low progesterone?
  • Irregular menstrual periods.
  • Headaches.
  • Difficulty conceiving.
  • Mood changes, anxiety or depression.
  • Trouble sleeping.
  • Hot flashes.
  • Bloating or weight gain.

Does vitamin D increase estrogen?

High blood levels of vitamin D linked to reduced estrogen – and potentially lower breast cancer risk | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

Which hormone is responsible for thigh fat?

(See my article on chronic diseases associated with excess body fat here.) What controls fat distribution? One of the key determinants of body fat distribution is the sex hormone status. Oestrogens have been shown to promote fat accumulation in the gluteofemoral subcutaneous fat stores (buttocks and thighs).

What does hormonal weight look like?

Hormonal weight gain affects different areas in men and women. Men tend to gain excess weight in the abdominal area. However, premenopausal women add pounds around the hips and thighs. After menopause, women usually gain weight in the abdomen and develop a "menopausal belly."

What hormonal imbalance causes fat legs?

Discussion. Lipedema is a painful fat disorder which predominantly affects women and develops during times of hormonal fluctuation including, but not limited to, puberty, pregnancy, and menopause [1,6].

What causes inner thigh fat?

Inner thigh fat can be the result of either weight gain, genetics, age or hormonal changes. Inner thigh fat is often stubborn and doesn't go away with just diet and exercise. The shape of our thighs is not always something we can change.

What is the pinch test for lipedema?

At home, you can perform a simple pinch test to check for lipedema. Gently pinch the skin on your thigh or calf to determine if you can grab a small fold of skin. If it is difficult to pick up a fold of skin, it might indicate the presence of lipedema.

What is the best vitamin for lipedema?

Diosmin: Perhaps the most effective supplement to take is Diosmin, a bioflavonoid that is commonly found in citrus fruits. They can have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lymph-tonic properties that will help with your symptoms of lipedema.

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