How Fatty Liver Impacts Women’s Health and Hormones “Doctor, I just got my reports, and it says Fatty Liver. But I don’t drink, I eat okay, and I’m not even overweight. How is this possible?” Ahh, that’s a question we hear more often than you’d imagine here at Sikund Diagnostic Centre. And you know what? Most of the women who ask this look perfectly healthy from the outside, bright, active, and busy, balancing work, home, and family life. But when we look deeper, hmm, the liver tells a different story. Fatty liver disease is quietly becoming one of the most common health conditions among women today. Even more concerning is that not only does it affect your liver, but it also has grievous effects on your hormones, metabolism, and potentially fertility. Let’s talk about this in a way that we talk with our patients: one calm and clear explanation at a time. Table of Content: Understanding Fatty Liver Why Fatty Liver Is Rising in Women How Fatty Liver Affects Hormones Symptoms Women Should Watch Out For How We Diagnose Fatty Liver At Sikund Diagnostic Centre Managing Fatty Liver and Restoring Hormonal Balance Final Thoughts Submit Your Full Name Your Contact Number Your Email Address Understanding Fatty Liver So what is fatty liver? Very simply, fatty liver is the accumulation of excess fat in your liver cells. The liver normally contains a small amount of fat, but when more than 5 to 10 per cent (by weight) of your liver consists of fat, it is referred to as fatty liver disease (a.k.a hepatic steatosis). So there are two forms of fatty liver: . Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD) , occurs as a result of excess alcohol intake. . Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) , which is becoming more common, even in people who don’t drink. Most women who come to us have the non-alcoholic kind, and it’s often linked to factors like diet, hormonal imbalance, stress, or lifestyle. Make a Call Give Us a Call Quick Enquiry Get in Touch Chat With Us Tap To WhatsApp Why Fatty Liver Is Rising in Women Hmm, you might be thinking, “I don’t eat that much junk food, so why me?” That’s where the complexity lies. Women’s bodies are naturally wired to store energy for hormonal balance, fertility, and pregnancy. But when metabolism slows or hormones go off balance, that energy starts turning into excess fat, often stored in the liver. Here are a few reasons for the rising prevalence of fatty liver disease among women in recent years. 1. Hormonal Imbalance Estrogen has a huge impact on fat metabolism. With the hormonal uctuations of PCOS, perimenopause, or menopause, fat metabolism slows, and fat begins to store in the liver. Ahh, yes, that’s why we see many women in their 30s and 40s developing fatty liver even without signi cant weight gain. 2. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) This one’s big. PCOS, which affects one in every ve women, is linked to insulin resistance, a major trigger for fatty liver. When your body becomes resistant to insulin, sugar and fat start building up in the bloodstream instead of being used for energy. Over time, this fat ends up in the liver. We often nd that women with PCOS, acne, irregular periods, or weight gain also show mild fatty liver changes on ultrasound. 3. Poor Lifestyle and Diet Let’s be honest, between work, home, and family, women rarely have time for themselves. Many skip meals, rely on processed snacks, or consume too much sugar without realizing it. Add stress and lack of sleep to the mix, and the liver becomes overworked. Even too many “healthy” carbs, like white rice or fruit juices, can overload the liver with fructose and glucose. 4. Thyroid Disorders Hmm, yes, here’s another silent connection. Hypothyroidism can lead to a slower metabolism and predispose the client to weight gain and fat accumulation, including in the liver. We see this frequently in women who present with fatty liver in our practice. 5. Lack of Activity In addition, modern lifestyles do not help. Multiple hours of sitting and inactivity and aggregating irregular exercise schedules, make it dif cult for the body to transition to fat burning. 6. Menopause and Ageing After menopause, estrogen levels drop, and fat distribution in the body changes. More fat begins to deposit around the abdomen and internal organs, including the liver. Oh, I see, that explains why even women who were healthy earlier start seeing changes in their reports around their 40s or 50s. Make a Call Give Us a Call Quick Enquiry Get in Touch Chat With Us Tap To WhatsApp How Fatty Liver Affects Hormones Now, this is where things get really interesting. The relationship between your liver and hormones is two-way. When the liver is unhealthy, it cannot properly metabolize or eliminate hormones. 1. Estrogen Dominance The liver is responsible for breaking down excess estrogen in the body. If the liver is fatty or in amed, the breakdown of estrogen is diminished, ultimately leading to estrogen dominance—i.e., having excess estrogen compared to progesterone. This can lead to: Irregular menstrual cycles PMS symptoms such as bloating, mood changes, or headaches Weight gain around the hips and belly Breast tenderness and possibly broids. 2. Insulin Resistance As the liver becomes fatty, it becomes less responsive to insulin. In turn, more sugar will stay in the blood, which causes the pancreas to secrete even more insulin. This creates an imbalance over time, leading to insulin resistance, which is a major contributing factor to PCOS and infertility in general. 3. Testosterone and PCOS High insulin levels stimulate the ovaries to produce more testosterone, resulting in symptoms such as acne, excess facial hair, and hair loss in women. Precisely, this is how the liver issue may show up indirectly as skin and hair issues. 4. Thyroid Function The liver also converts the inactive thyroid hormone (T4) into the active thyroid hormone (T3). f the liver is sluggish, thyroid hormone conversion slows down, causing fatigue, weight gain, and mood swings. So yes, a fatty liver doesn’t just stay in your abdomen; it disrupts your entire hormonal orchestra. Make a Call Give Us a Call Quick Enquiry Get in Touch Chat With Us Tap To WhatsApp Symptoms Women Should Watch Out For The tricky part is that fatty liver often shows no clear symptoms. However, there are some subtle signs that could indicate that your liver, or hormones, are under duress: Unexplained weight gain, especially around the midsection Constant fatigue or low energy levels Irregular menstrual cycles Skin changes (like dullness, acne or pigmentation) Losing hair or excessive facial hair Dif culty losing weight, although you are eating well Slight discomfort or heaviness in the right upper end of your abdomen If you are noticing a few of these in combination, yeah, consider getting checked out. How We Diagnose Fatty Liver At Sikund Diagnostic Centre At Sikund Diagnostic Centre , we want to provide an accurate diagnosis, especially if we can catch it early on. The tests I am recommending are painless, quick and reliable: Ultrasound Abdomen: This is the rst-line test for differential diagnosis, which identi es fat accumulation in the liver. Liver Function Test (LFT) : This test measures the level of enzymes which signal liver in ammation or damage. FibroScan : The gold standard in testing the liver for stiffness or brosis. Blood Tests: For thyroid, fasting sugar and lipid pro le as useful components to rule out other metabolic issues. Hormone Tests: For potential PCOS or irregular menstrual cycles in women to assess infertility. The role of our testing is not only to make the diagnosis, but we want to connect the dots of liver, metabolism and hormones since they all impact one another. Managing Fatty Liver and Restoring Hormonal Balance The most encouraging news is that a fatty liver is reversible, particularly when diagnosed early. And no, expensive medications aren’t required. In most cases, basic lifestyle modi cations can be hugely effective. 1. Balanced Diet Focus your diet on whole grains, vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats such as nuts and olive oil. Limit sugar, white rice, and prepared foods. 2. Exercise Taking 30 minutes a day to walk briskly can enhance your liver function and insulin sensitivity. 3. Sleep and Stress Management It is important to prioritize 7-8 hours of sleep. Engage in breathing exercises, yoga and other forms of moderate exercise to improve your body’s stress hormones. 4. Periodic testing For those individuals experiencing PCOS, thyroid issues, or perimenopausal women, schedule regular assessments of your hormones. Early intervention helps to keep the liver and hormones working in sync. Make a Call Give Us a Call Quick Enquiry Get in Touch Chat With Us Tap To WhatsApp Final Thoughts Your liver and your hormones are best friends. When one becomes unbalanced, the other inevitably follows. So treating a fatty liver is not simply about improving your digestion or metabolism; it is about restoring your body’s full rhythm. At Sikund Diagnostic Centre, we are acutely aware of how intertwined women’s health really is. Our professionals will ensure accurate testing, compassionate treatment, and clear and precise steps towards treatment. So, if you have been feeling out of sorts, tired, moody, or having irregular cycles- it might be time to pay attention to what your liver has to say. Because when your liver is healthy, your hormones are in sync, and your entire body feels lighter, brighter, and more balanced. Reimagined Healthcare - Diagnosis You Can Trust Quick Links HOME ABOUT US DEPARTMENT HEALTH PACKAGES CAREER BLOGS CONTACT US Follow Us © 2025 Sikund Diagnostic Centre. Design & Developed by FDAC CSR | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Online Cancellation Policy | Cookie Policy HOME ABOUT US DEPARTMENT HEALTH PACKAGES CAREER BLOGS CONTACT US BOOK A TEST DOWNLOAD REPORT