The Underdiagnosed Reality of Lipedema: More Than Just Weight Gain

What is Lipedema? 

Lipedema is an underdiagnosed, chronic condition of symmetrical overgrowth of fat,  also known as adipose tissue, that is extremely difficult to control and primarily shows  up on the legs. Lipedema adipose tissue exhibits various distinct characteristics in  comparison to traditional adipose tissue (2). In advanced stages, lipedema can also  affect the arms. The characteristic “cuff phenomenon” occurs at the wrists and ankles as  the hands and feet are spared from the condition (3). The adipose tissue can create  bumpy looking skin and nodules that may cause pain and impair a person’s ability to  move. This type of adipose tissue is resistant to diet and exercise alone.  

As the fat continues to grow in the legs and buttocks, it can eventually lead to  lymphedema, a condition that prevents the lymphatic system from draining properly, and  even spread to the arms and upper body (4).  

Who gets Lipedema? 

The overwhelming majority of people who get lipedema are women. An estimated 10%- 20% of women worldwide suffer from lipedema (2). There is an approximately 0.2%  prevalence in men worldwide; the condition remains underdiagnosed in males due to  limited awareness and scarce literature (5). Research has shown that lipedema may be  caused by several factors, which may be hereditary. 

What causes Lipedema? 

There is no one known cause for lipedema. Some causes include genetics, changes in hormones, and vascular dysfunction (6). Lipedema tends to appear during life changes  such as puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.  

Lipedema Treatments

The Underdiagnosed Reality of Lipedema: More Than Just Weight Gain 

There are an array of treatments to treat the look and pain related to lipedema.  Conservative therapies such as a ketogenic or Rare Adipose Disorders (RAD) diets,  compression therapy, and aquatic exercise, were associated with reduced pain and  swelling (7). The treatment that showed the strongest evidence for sustained  improvement was tumescent liposuction (7). 

References 

1. AKP. 7 Easy Steps to Self-Diagnose Lipoedema & Recognize Early Signs - Purbey [Internet]. Purbey - Leading Lipoedema Surgeon in UK. 2025 [cited 2026  May 24]. Available from: https://drpurbey.com/easy-steps-to-self-diagnose lipoedema/ 

2. Rabiee A. Lipedema and adipose tissue: current understanding, controversies,  and future directions. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. 2025 Nov  6;13. 

3. Education – Lipedema World Alliance [Internet]. Lipedemaworldalliance.com.  2025. Available from: https://lipedemaworldalliance.com/education-2/ 4. Lipedema | Stanford Health Care [Internet]. stanfordhealthcare.org. Available  from: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/blood-heart circulation/lipedema.html 

5. Amato AC, Amato JS, Benitti D, Santos KD, Santos Sr KD. Lipedema in men: a  retrospective case series of five patients from a Brazilian Referral Center.  Cureus. 2025 Jul 5;17(7). 

6. Cifarelli V. Lipedema: Progress, Challenges, and the Road Ahead. Obesity  Reviews. 2025 May 27; 10. 

7. Vazirnia A, Smart DR, Mohseni Y, Amron DM. Lipedema Diagnosis, Clinical  Manifestations, and Therapeutics: A Systematic Review. International Journal of  Dermatology. 2026 Jan 7; 1-9.

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