The exact cause of lipedema remains unclear to this day. There is strong evidence suggesting that hormonal factors and genetic predisposition play a major role. However, potential inflammatory processes in adipose tissue are also increasingly becoming a focus of research. In this article, you’ll learn what is known about the causes of lipedema, the role inflammation may play, and how you can support your body through diet and lifestyle.
Key Points at a Glance
Causes: The exact cause of lipedema is not yet fully understood. Genetic predisposition and hormonal factors are considered to be the main contributors.
Hormones: Lipedema often first appears during hormonal changes or may change, for example, during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.
Inflammation & Nutrition: Inflammatory processes in adipose tissue may play a role in lipedema. A balanced, anti-inflammatory diet rich in vegetables, healthy fats, and beneficial plant compounds can support overall health.
Lifestyle: Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy weight management can promote overall well-being and help you manage the condition.
What is lipedema?
Lipedema is a chronic condition of the adipose tissue that affects almost exclusively women. It is typically characterized by a disproportionate, symmetrical accumulation of subcutaneous fat, primarily on the legs and hips, and may extend to the buttocks. The arms may also be affected, while the hands and feet are not involved in cases of pure lipedema.
Lipedema is not the same as ordinary overweight, even though both can occur at the same time. In addition to altered fat distribution, the condition is characterized primarily by pain when pressure is applied or the area is touched, as well as a feeling of tightness. Those affected also frequently report an increased tendency to bruise. The severity of the symptoms can vary greatly from person to person.
Lipedema or Cellulite: How Can You Tell the Difference?
Dents and dimples on the thighs or buttocks are often classified as cellulite. However, not every change in adipose tissue is the same. While cellulite primarily affects the appearance of the skin, lipedema is a chronic condition of the adipose tissue that is typically accompanied by pain.
If you want to recognize lipedema , certain characteristics can provide initial clues. The following table shows you the most important differences between lipedema and cellulite:
| Characteristic | Lipedema | Cellulite |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | prominent, usually symmetrical accumulation of fat | Dents and Irregularities in the Skin |
| Typical Areas | especially the legs, hips, and arms | especially the thighs and buttocks |
| Pain | Pain caused by pressure, touch, or tension | usually no pain |
| Bruises | frequently increased tendency | not characteristic |
| Hands and Feet | typically omitted | no corresponding distinction |
| Disease score | chronic disease of the adipose tissue | not a disease in its own right |
Important: A lipedema self-test can provide initial clues, but it is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis. If you have any related symptoms, you should have them evaluated by a specialist.
Typical Symptoms and Affected Body Parts
Lipedema most commonly affects the legs. The increased fat accumulation can extend from the hips down through the thighs and knees to the lower legs. The arms can also be affected. A characteristic feature is that the fat distribution is usually symmetrical, while the hands and feet are generally spared.
In addition to visible changes, typical symptoms of lipedema include pain when pressed or touched, a feeling of tightness or heaviness, swelling, and fluid retention. The severity of these symptoms can vary from person to person.
| Body Area | Typical Signs |
|---|---|
| Hips & Buttocks | symmetrical fat accumulation, often with a marked difference compared to the upper body |
| Thigh | increased fatty tissue, tenderness, and a feeling of tightness |
| Knee | Noticeable fat deposits, especially on the inner sides of the knees |
| lower leg | Fat accumulation extending down to the ankles, while the feet are typically spared |
| Arms | Symmetrical fat accumulation is possible; the hands are usually spared |
Important: If you experience severe or worsening pain in your legs, you should have it checked by a doctor. Not every painful swelling or change in fatty tissue is caused by lipedema.
Causes of Lipedema: What's Really Behind It
The exact cause of lipedema has not yet been fully elucidated scientifically. However, there is strong evidence suggesting that multiple factors are involved. Research is focusing particularly on hormonal influences and genetic predisposition .
What role do hormones play?
The fact that lipedema often first appears or worsens during periods of hormonal changes suggests a link to hormonal balance. These periods include , in particular , puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
The main focus of discussion is the influence of female sex hormones on adipose tissue. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone affect, among other things, the distribution and metabolism of adipose tissue. Changes in hormonal balance may therefore also play a role in the onset and progression of lipedema. Research is ongoing to determine exactly which hormonal mechanisms are involved.
What role does genetic predisposition play?
Genetic predisposition also appears to play an important role in the development of lipedema. One indication of this is that the condition tends to run in families. For example, if a mother, sister, or grandmother is affected, this may point to a hereditary component.
It is not yet fully understood which genes are involved and just how significant their influence actually is. It is believed that lipedema is not caused by a single genetic factor, but rather by the interaction of various factors.
What role do inflammatory processes play in lipedema?
In addition to hormonal and genetic factors , research is also examining the role of inflammatory processes in adipose tissue, since adipose tissue is much more than just an energy store. It is biologically active, interacts closely with the immune system, and produces signaling molecules that are involved in inflammatory responses, among other things.
Studies suggest that in lipedema, the structure and biological processes of adipose tissue undergo changes. These include changes in tissue structure, small blood vessels, and possibly also inflammation-related processes. Research is ongoing to determine whether and how these changes contribute to the development of lipedema and to typical symptoms such as pain and tenderness.
Diet and Nutrients for Lipedema: Can an Anti-Inflammatory Diet Help?
A balanced, anti-inflammatory diet can be a helpful addition to the management of lipedema. It provides the body with essential nutrients and phytochemicals that play a key role in numerous metabolic and immune processes. Foods rich in dietary fiber, unsaturated fatty acids, and antioxidant phytochemicals are particularly suitable.
The Mediterranean diet serves as a guide . It is based on plenty of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, as well as high-quality vegetable oils. Fatty ocean fish supplements the diet with omega-3 fatty acids. Highly processed foods, refined sugar, and alcohol, on the other hand, should remain the exception rather than the rule.
To find out which foods are particularly well-suited for an anti-inflammatory diet, check out our article “Anti-Inflammatory Foods for an Anti-Inflammatory Diet.”
Nutrients such as curcumin, boswellia, and the pain-relieving palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) are also of interest in the context of inflammatory processes. TISSO’s Inflamm-Recovery Package combines these substances with other selected plant-based compounds, and Pro Omega Ultra supplements the nutrient intake with the high-quality omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA.
What can be done about lipedema?
There are various ways to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life for people with lipedema . The most appropriate measures depend on the individual’s symptoms and the severity of the condition.
Compression therapy plays an important role, as it can help reduce pain and feelings of tension in particular. If there is additional swelling, manual lymphatic drainage may also be an option. In addition, regular exercise is recommended. Activities that are particularly gentle on the joints, such as swimming, cycling, or Nordic walking, can promote mobility and overall well-being.
In addition, a balanced, anti-inflammatory diet, adequate sleep, and healthy weight management can support overall health. In cases of persistent or severe symptoms, liposuction—a surgical procedure to remove the affected fatty tissue—may also be an option. Whether this procedure is appropriate should be discussed on an individual basis with a specialist.
Lipedema: Understanding the Causes and Taking Action Yourself
The exact causes of lipedema have not yet been fully elucidated. There is strong evidence suggesting that genetic and hormonal factors play an important role. Research is also increasingly focusing on possible inflammatory processes in adipose tissue.
You have only limited control over your genetic predisposition or hormonal changes. Nevertheless, there are things you can do on your own to promote your well-being: A balanced, anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise, and a healthy lifestyle can effectively complement medical treatment and make it easier to manage the condition in your daily life.
Sources
- Rabiee, A. (2025). Lipedema and adipose tissue: current understanding, controversies, and future directions. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 13, 1691161. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2025.1691161
- Funke, S., Kuhlmann, C., Taha, S., Fuchs, B., Wiggenhauser, P. S., & Giunta, R. E. (2023). In Search of Evidence: A Systematic Review of the Pathology of Lipedema. Hand Surgery · Microsurgery · Plastic Surgery, 55(6), 411–426. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2183-7414
