What hormones increase cellulite?

Author: Jaylin Bahringer  |  Last update: Saturday, April 26, 2025

Cellulite often develops when women produce more estrogen, usually during adolescence or pregnancy.

What hormone imbalance causes cellulite?

Estrogen. Estrogen stimulates fibroblasts to make collagenase which acts on collagen and breaks it down – and so begin the cycle of cellulite formation. Higher levels of estrogen (or poor estrogen metabolism) causes low levels of collagen, and therefore, increases the appearance of cellulite.

What is the biggest contributor to cellulite?

Weight gain can make cellulite more noticeable, but some lean people have cellulite, as well. It tends to run in families, so genetics might play the biggest role in whether you develop cellulite. An inactive lifestyle also can increase your chances of having cellulite, as can pregnancy.

Does taking progesterone reduce cellulite?

Get tested by your doctor to determine if you have a condition called estrogen dominance. If you are estrogen dominant, you will want to use a topical cream containing the opposing female hormone, progesterone, which may be useful in reducing cellulite. However, progesterone is not considered a cure for cellulite.

What deficiency causes cellulite?

Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid hormone levels, can cause dry skin and decreased circulation, both of which can exacerbate the appearance of cellulite [46].

WHY YOU HAVE CELLULITE & HOW TO GET RID OF IT // Dermatologist @DrDrayzday

What vitamin breaks down cellulite?

Regarding vitamins, they all have a role to play in cellulite prevention and they can somewhat contribute to its reduction, with perhaps vitamin C (ascorbic acid) being the most important, due to its antioxidant action and its important role on collagen synthesis.

What aggravates cellulite?

Smoking causes connective tissues to become stretched and damaged, allowing underlying fat to push its way to the surface. Gaining weight or becoming obese. An increase in body weight will lead to an increase in fat tissue, making cellulite more pronounced. Wearing tight underwear.

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 high cortisol cause cellulite?

In this regard, it does have an impact on cellulite. Your body produces cortisol under stress, this is why it is commonly known as the stress hormone. Cortisol isn't bad in balance, but in excess, it can be detrimental to cellulite and even your health.

What hormone causes inner thigh fat in females?

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.

Can cellulite be reversed?

You can't get rid of cellulite. But, it's not harmful to your overall health. You can reduce the appearance of cellulite through a combination of exercise, diet and treatments.

What ethnicity has the most cellulite?

There is also evidence to support roles for both genetic predisposition and ethnicity: although cellulite is seen in women of all races,4 it tends to be more common in white women.

What are the worst foods for cellulite?

The worst foods for cellulite: fried food, sugar, excess fat, excess carbs, food with BPA in it
  • anything with sugar in it.
  • anything with fried/hydrogenated oils in it.
  • any food stored in BPA-leaching containers.

Why do I suddenly have so much cellulite?

Cellulite can be caused by hormonal changes, genetics, weight gain, and more. Here's the kicker: even active, healthy women with good diets still experience cellulite.

Does going off the pill reduce cellulite?

In summary. Estrogenic medication, such as “the pill” in women and transition hormone therapy in male-to-female transsexuals, causes cellulite, if combined with excess calories, sugar intake, lack of exercise etc, at a much higher rate than on people who are not on that medication.

What are the symptoms of low estrogen?

Changes in estrogen levels
  • Hot flashes, flushes, and night sweats are the most common symptoms of low estrogen. At times, blood rushes to your skin's surface. ...
  • Mood swings are another effect of low estrogen. You may feel sad, anxious, or frustrated. ...
  • Thinning tissues may cause discomfort. Skin may appear more wrinkled.

What hormone reduces cellulite?

Estrogen, the female hormone, tends to exacerbate cellulite because it encourages the body to build up and store fat. On the other hand, testosterone, the male hormone, burns fat. However, cellulite is more than just excess fat. It actually involves several components of the skin's structure.

What does a cortisol belly look like?

Cortisol belly simply looks like abdominal fat, and there is no way to identify it by appearance. More important than its appearance is what cortisol belly can do to your health. Visceral fat is considered particularly dangerous because of its location near vital organs and its metabolic activity.

How do you get rid of cortisol weight gain?

Moderate-intensity activities, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, have been shown to reduce cortisol over time. Activities like yoga, Pilates, and tai chi also provide the dual benefit of physical activity and stress reduction, helping to balance cortisol levels while improving mood and metabolism.

How do I know if I need more estrogen or progesterone?

If you have a very light period that only lasts a few days and barely requires a pad, this indicates that estrogen may be low. If estrogen is too low to support ovulation, then progesterone will be low as well.

What happens if you take progesterone without estrogen?

Even without estrogen, progesterone offers essential protection. Progesterone has been shown to effectively reduce both the frequency and intensity of hot flashes and night sweats, two of the most common menopausal symptoms.

What reverses cellulite?

Laser and radiofrequency treatments.

In one method, a thin fiber is slipped under the skin to deliver laser heat that destroys the fibrous bands binding fat. This approach has shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite for six months to a year.

Why is my cellulite getting worse the more I workout?

However, resistance exercise can tightens the muscles but may not lead to cellulite fat reduction if not accompanied by strict, healthy eating. The combination of tighter muscles and unaffected cellulite fat deposits can sometimes exacerbate the appearance (the look) of cellulite, without affecting cellulite per se.

Can lack of water cause cellulite?

Not drinking enough water on a daily basis can prevent your body from effectively eliminating toxins and waste. Over time, this can result in an increase in cellulite. But that's not all! Excess alcohol or caffeine can dehydrate your skin adding to your cellulite problem.

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