Menopause Hormone Therapy and Appetite Changes Highlight Health Challenges for Women

Recent health analyses note that menopause hormone therapy (MHT) once faced criticism after early 2000s studies linked it to blood clots and certain cancers, but newer data suggest benefits for younger women and reduced fracture risk. A 2025 Mayo Clinic study found that about one‑third of women report noticeable menopause symptoms, yet only 13% pursue treatment, often facing dismissal by clinicians. Awareness of menopause is increasing, with experts like Lauren Streicher emphasizing the complexity of attributing symptoms solely to hormonal changes.

In parallel, perimenopause can cause sudden evening overeating. Hormonal fluctuations—declining estrogen, altered progesterone, insulin‑sensitivity shifts, and leptin resistance—amplify hunger cues. As one article explains, “Hormones are like the volume knobs for your hunger signals—they can get louder, softer, or just weirdly inconsistent.” These physiological shifts, combined with mood swings, contribute to the “rage‑eat” phenomenon experienced by many women in their 40s and early 50s.