Lipedema Awareness: Understanding, Recognizing, and Managing Lipedema
At Love and Lipedema Awareness, we are dedicated to educating, supporting, and empowering individuals affected by lipedema. Whether you're seeking answers, looking for treatment options, or connecting with a supportive community, you're in the right place.
What Is Lipedema?
Lipedema is a chronic condition affecting millions of women worldwide, yet it remains widely misunderstood and underdiagnosed. Lipedema is a progressive fat disorder that is initially noticed in the legs, arms, and hips, leading to disproportionate fat accumulation, painful swelling, and easy bruising. Unlike typical weight gain, lipedema fat is resistant to diet and exercise, making early diagnosis and management essential.
Lipedema Symptoms and Signs
Piezogenic papules
Symptoms worsen during hormonal changes, like menstruation or menopause
Pain and fatigue without any known cause
Drastic weight change at puberty
Drastic weight change after birth control
Flexible Joints
Fat that is painful to the touch or with pressure (child or pet sits on lap)
Heaviness in limbs
Soft skin and mystery bruises
Varicose veins or spider veins
Fatty areas that are cold to the touch
Swelling that doesn’t go away with elevation
Fat pads at the knee
Drastic weight change after pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding
Drastic weight change after hysterectomy or menopause
Stubborn fat you cannot lose with diet or exercise
“Cankles”, wrist and/or ankle cuffs, “tree trunk legs”
Arms and/or legs that feel doughy (early stages)
Lumps and bumps under your skin (like sand, grains rice, grapes, or bigger)
Parts of your body do not change size when you lose weight
Information
Although Lipedema was discovered in 1940, there is still a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding regarding the disease. Learn what Lipedema is, get answers to frequently asked questions about Lipedema, and learn about conservative treatments and comorbidities of Lipedema.
Awareness
Raising awareness around Lipedema is incredibly important. Lipedema is actually common, but extremely underdiagnosed. Find information about Lipedema to share with your medical providers, conference dates, and Lipedema Awareness shirts and stickers.
Resources
Finding a doctor, treatment, or community for support in your lipedema journey can be very challenging. LALA is here to help. Find informative lipedema websites, social media pages and communities, and Lipedema provider and surgeon directories.
Stage 1 Legs
Stage 1-2 Legs
Stage 2-3 Legs
Stage 2-3 Legs
Stage 2-3 Legs
Stage 2 Arm
Stage 3 Arm
Stage 3 Legs
Lipolymphedema Legs
Lipolymphedema Legs