Oestrogen, Pregnancy, The Pill and Cellulite
One longstanding theory about cellulite is that certain hormones are partly responsible for its formation, particularly the hormone oestrogen. Whilst present in both men and women, oestrogen is present in much higher quantities in women and is an important hormone in female development and reproductive cycle.
Women develop and store more fat when oestrogen is present in higher concentrations in their bodies, storing it particularly in the thighs, hips and bottom- the most common areas for cellulite. The positive reason for this is simply that it makes women more fertile and ready to support a child. Indeed, research has found that pear-shaped women are more fertile than slender women- presumably due to evolutionary pressures that favoured women who stored fat to raise more children successfully.
Another reason that oestrogen may be linked to cellulite is that it encourages fluid retention, which as we know can be a significant contributor to the bulging of fat cells. (see ‘How To Get Rid Of Cellulite’)
It’s not feasible to try and reduce your levels of oestrogen, nor can you determine where your body decides to store fat, but you can make sure that you give it less to store with a healthy diet. Be sure to sign up to our email list for regular tips and suggestions on healthier eating.