therapy

This is a “natural” part of being a woman, he said

A doctor has revealed why women start to put on belly fat as they age, stating it’s a “normal” part of life. According to the expert, women can expect to see their weight fluctuate when they get older.

In a clip from his podcast No Appointment Necessary, shared to his Instagram page, Dr Amir Khan issued some reassurance about weight before and after the menopause. He explained how fat is distributed on the body differently as a result of this hormonal change.

Menopause is a natural life stage that typically affects women between the ages of 45 and 55. It happens when hormone levels in the body drop to a point where periods cease completely.

Forgotten immune organ can predict how long you’ll live, landmark trial crushes ‘undruggable’ cancers, and blood test can spot signals of Alzheimer’s early – all this and more in our latest science newsletter

As a consequence of these hormonal shifts, the body can experience a broad range of symptoms that can impact both physical and mental health. These include hot flushes, mood swings, and brain fog.

However, it can also affect how your body stores fat. On the podcast, his co-host Cheery Healey said: “Lots of women find that when they go through perimenopause and menopause, they gain weight.”

Dr Amir responded: “So, before the menopause, fat distribution in women is usually around the hips, thighs, and buttock area. And that fat distribution is completely normal and healthy and women should have fat there, you don’t want to lose it.”

He explained why. “It’s really good for your fertility,” he said.

“It’s really good for your overall health. It is expected and needed.”

But after menopause, you might notice that you are more prone to weight gain around the tummy. Dr Amir continued: “After the menopause, as the hormones shift, things change.

“And that fat usually deposits around the tummy area and the hips as well and so people can refer to it as a ‘meno belly’. It’s not really a great term but it is just the shift of weight, really.”

He added: “Normal, natural, not the end of the world, part of being a woman, an adult woman.” His advice is supported by the NHS website, which says: “Weight gain during perimenopause and menopause is common.

“It often happens around the stomach and upper body.”

Other symptoms of menopause

The other symptoms of menopause, as listed by the NHS, include:

• Changes to your periods
• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Sleep problems
• Mood changes, poor memory and brain fog
• Vaginal problems such as dryness, a burning feeling, irritation or itching in and around the vagina
• UTIs (urinary tract infections)
• A faster, slower or more noticeable heartbeat (palpitations)
• Weakening bones (loss of bone density), which can lead to osteoporosis
• Feeling the need to pee more or not being able to control when you pee (urinary incontinence)
• Headaches and migraines that are worse than usual
• Muscle aches and joint pains
• Hair thinning or hair loss
• Skin changes, including dry and itchy skin
• Reduced sex drive (loss of libido)
• Sensitive teeth, painful gums or other mouth problems

The health body says you should contact your GP if:

• You think you have symptoms of menopause or perimenopause and want to know what your options are
• You have symptoms like a fast heartbeat (palpitations)
• You still have periods but your bleeding pattern has changed and you’re bleeding more, not less, than before
• You have not had a period for 12 months or more, and you have any vaginal bleeding

The most commonly prescribed treatment for menopause symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Adam Thomas is the I’m A Celebrity South Africa winner 2026 despite ‘unbroadcastable’ row

Adam Thomas defeated the bullies and the other finalists to be crowned the winner of I’m A Celebrity All Stars in South Africa.

In a live final back in London, the actor beat runner up Mo Farah, third placed Harry Redknapp, and Craig Charles in fourth to be named an I’m A Celebrity ‘legend’.

Looking surprised and a bit shaken after a night of controversy, Adam said: “Thank you guys, thank you so much. I love ya.”

Earlier in the live show there had been chaos as he came face to face with David Haye and Jimmy Bullard and the verbal clash led to two other campmates – Gemma Collins and Sinitta – storming off stage.

The 37-year-old actor had faced abuse in camp from boxer Haye, had a row with quitter Jimmy Bullard and also got emotional at times on the ITV show. But he put it all behind him to come out on top.

Before he did his final trial in South Africa, Adam admitted there had been “a lot of drama” in camp. And there was a lot of drama in the final too as hosts Ant and Dec struggled to stay on top of things as it got chaotic with the crowd booing comments and celebs speaking out of turn.

Just minutes before Adam was crowned champ there were awkward scenes in the studio as Jimmy Bullard said Adam was “aggressive, abusive and intimidating” when Jimmy quit and Adam feared his own jungle adventure was also over. Thankfully the other campmates let him stay in the camp.

Adam reflected on it and said he had apologised to Jimmy several times. Looking serious he said: “Listen I take full responsibility for my actions. Yes emotions were definitely running high in that moment. But, you know, I have got nothing but love for Jimmy.”

When David Haye tried to interrupt him Adam also said “will you just let the finalists speak”. Adam then said: “I take everything he said into account. That is not how I want to show myself off and I have never showed myself off in that light before that or after that. And I am sorry Jimmy.”

Adam was given a final eating trial in South Africa called Swallow the Odds, and looking ahead to the prospect of winning said: “I am gonna be a legend baby” He then proceeded to smash the trial, eating five courses with the likes of five pig teats, two century fermented eggs, tarantula and fermented tofu.

He even cheered himself on, saying “come on Adam, ” in between mouthfuls. After watching Gemma said: “You done so well, you amazing.”

But he also had to cope with a backlash from other contestants, as David Haye interrupted the show at this point and said: “Do you think you deserve to win it after calling Jimmy the C-word a couple of times?”

Adam replied: “After that trial I deserve it yeah.”

Trying to restore order, host Dec said: “We are going to come to this a bit later.”But David continued: “Don’t you think you should ask Jimmy…a lot of that stuff was cut out.”Ant said: “There was a lot of stuff which was unbroadcastable which is why, look we will get into this later in the show.”Dec added: “I knew it was going to smoothly.”

Actor Adam first appeared on the show in 2016 making the final.

Asked about the South African version he said: “It was completely different but at the same time, so much better because of the people there. Everything was stepped up a lot, especially the trials and challenges. It was like going back to being a kid again. In my eyes there’s no comparison, this was definitely for the legends and it felt legendary.”

He had paired up with Jimmy Bullard for a trial where the bottom two left the show, but when Jimmy refused to take part and said “get me out of here” Adam had been due to leave too and verbally attacked Jimmy. He was so furious the scenes were edited down, something Jimmy is unhappy about. During the final he urged ITV to show the full contents of Adam’s rants.

Commenting on his clash with Jimmy Bullard when the ex-footballer quit, Adam had said on Thursday: “It was just really random and unexpected to be honest. I didn’t see it coming.

“Safe to say, I don’t think I was too happy about it. The fact I felt like I was leaving because of someone else just really broke my heart more than anything as I wanted to do my kids proud. Emotions can get the better of you in there and in hindsight, I probably would never have reacted the way I did but I was just really upset.”

On social media this week he had claimed even getting to the final he had felt a winner. But he had also said in a podcast chat with his brother this week he was still getting therapy for the way he had been treated in camp by David Haye.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .