For established patients of Tryon Women’s Center, gynecology and sexual health specialist Amy Kemmerlin, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, offers unique support for women experiencing menopausal and perimenopausal weight gain.
“I specialize in support for perimenopausal and menopausal women who are struggling to keep the pounds off due to slowed metabolism and hormonal changes,” says FNP-C Kemmerlin, who has advanced training and a certificate of advanced education in obesity medicine. “Many of the women I see are carrying ‘menopause belly’, despite exercising regularly and eating a very healthy diet.”
A specialized weight loss approach for menopausal women
Whether patients have an elevated body mass index (BMI) or one that’s higher than it should be, FNP-C Kemmerlin meets them where they are with a compassionate, comprehensive approach for how to lose weight during menopause. “I work with each patient to create a strategy that works for her lifestyle,” she adds. “I will never dismiss a patient by saying, ‘Eat less and move more.’ For some women, that’s just not enough.”
Menopausal women and those diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are at higher risk of putting on stubborn weight, also called insulin-resistant weight gain. Most people associate insulin processing issues with diabetes, but insulin plays a role in every person’s metabolism.
Tryon gynecologist Dr. Jennie Jarvis Hauschka explains it this way:
“Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that tells our cells to open and let glucose in. When someone becomes insulin-resistant, that same amount of insulin allows less glucose into cells. Because the body doesn’t turn that glucose into energy to burn, blood sugar becomes elevated, triggering the pancreas to make even more insulin.”
Estrogen improves insulin sensitivity, leaving women more vulnerable as they lose estrogen due to menopause or the hormonal imbalance that comes with PCOS. Peri and post-menopausal hormonal changes drastically increase a woman’s body mass in a short period of time, especially increasing deep, hidden body fat stored in the abdominal cavity, often called “menopause belly”.
Armed with this medical knowledge and a deep understanding of obesity medicine, FNP-C Kemmerlin offers weight management strategies that include dietary changes, physical activity, behavior modification, and medications.
If a patient experiencing menopause or perimenopausal weight gain is a good candidate for weight loss medication, FNP-C Kemmerlin works to find a safe, cost-effective, and efficacious option. She ensures that patients leave her office with step-by-step instructions and management tips for side effects. She then checks in with them regularly for support, usually every three months.
Shared experience with weight gain makes for strong patient connections
FNP-C Kemmerlin is passionate about supporting women on their weight loss journey because she’s been there. After being diagnosed with PCOS, she struggled with her weight for 20 years, trying “everything in the book.”
She finally found success with weight loss medications in 2021 and lost 50 pounds.
“These drugs are life-changing,” says Kemmerlin. “I suffered from low self-esteem, but I was made to feel even worse when my effort to lose weight was minimized, and my struggle was dismissed by other medical professionals.”
FNP-C Kemmerlin makes it a priority to listen carefully to her patients and help them find a balance between losing weight during menopause and living. “Every person is a different conversation,” she adds. “The plan we create together has to work for your lifestyle.”
Tryon Women’s Center comfort in the heart of Pineville
A dedicated member of the gynecology and sexual health team, FNP-C Kemmerlin is connected to the Tryon Women’s Center but works out of Tryon’s Pineville office.
“My practice is an extension of the warm and welcoming feeling that Tryon Women’s Center patients have come to appreciate and expect,” she says. “I am grateful that I am supported by a group of doctors who let me do what is best for my patients, especially those with perimenopause and menopausal weight gain.”
FNP-C Kemmerlin is passionate about doing this for others, but is so gratified when patients leave Tryon Pineville with a smile and hope that they can lose weight before and during menopause. “I get what I need from the people I help,” she says.
If you are an established patient of the Tryon Women’s Center and you are interested in weight management, schedule an appointment with FNP-C Kemmerlin by calling 704-405-3953.
