Hormones don’t operate in isolation. Estrogen and insulin are closely connected, and changes in hormone patterns can affect how sensitive your body is to insulin. When insulin sensitivity decreases, your body needs more insulin, which keeps you in fat storage mode longer. At the same time, higher body fat also contributes to insulin resistance, reinforcing the cycle. On top of that, insulin directly affects the reproductive system, influencing hormone signaling and regulation. This is why fat loss can feel harder even when your effort hasn’t changed.