Does HRT make you put on weight?

[GrumpyOldBag]

Doctor has confirmed peri-menopause and said I can start HRT whenever I want. I'm 52 & still having regular periods, but have other symptoms like sleeping badly and feeling cross (see my user name!)

In the past 3 months I've been putting on weight too - will HRT help correct that, or make it worse? I think it's partly due to eating more because I feel tired all the time due to not sleeping.

Thanks.

It didnt with me. But it didnt help me lose any either.

Ok - well that's a start!

If I'm feeling better probably won't eat so much ...

I did put on a little weight but realised that I was constantly snacking and not exercising. I made a conscious effort to rectify this and lost a stone. So, I don't think hrt adds weight, just lead a healthier lifestyle

Difficult to say in my case. I had already put on a fair bit of weight but the week I stared HRT I also started Slimming World because I was worried that I would keep gaining weight. I then lost 3.5 stones in 6 months and feel much better about myself

Good for you Tessie :-)

Made me retain water for the first few weeks but that settles down and I don't think I'm now any heavier than I used to be, although have never had a weight problem.

Grumpy- I'm 53 and am thinking of HRT. I've put a stone on in 12 months without doing anything differently; I'm grumpy, anxious, everyone bloody irritates me.
I still have my Mirena coil, so don't have periods, which means I don't know where I am!
I have no advice, but will be following you.

3cats I have the Mirena too. Tell your doctor about your symptoms and ask for blood tests, that's what I did. I felt so much less y after starting HRT.

I didn't gain any weight - and the HRT helped enormously in controlling mood swings etc.

Two - I had blood tests which confirmed peri (don't think they're that reliable though?)
The GP prescribed me 'Premique' which I then googled, and found they were 'old style' which everyone seemed to advise against.
Didn't take them, have carried on without anything since, but feel the need to go back to GP and ask for something else.

3cats if you already have a Mirena (lasts for 4 years as part of HRT) then all you need is some oestrogen (Mirena gives you the progestogen side of HRT) and something like gel is brilliant. Spread on your arms or thighs each day and Bob's your uncle!
Isn't Premique oestrogen and progestogen? If so it doesn't inspire much confidence in your GP 'cos they ought to know what to give you if you had the Mirena at the time.

You do have to cut back on food around the menopause regardless of HRT - our metabolism changes in mid-life and we simply don't needs as much food.
Also we tend not to be so active especially if we have desk jobs.
I eat about half of what I did / could in my 20s and 30s.

Oestrogel, plus Mirena = happy, well and no real weight gain that can't be blamed on food and wine.

Just to add more anecdotal data, my mum felt HRT made exercise more "effective" in a way. She'd been struggling to lose the last few pounds and felt HRT made it easier.

That may have been due to the fact that it helped her mood and hot flushes but either way it was a big thumbs up from her.

She had Mirena and oestrogen patch.

Polly - thing is, my Mirena is now 7 years old. GP at FP clinic where I went for my smear, told me that I could just leave it in now considering my age.
Given its age, would it have enough progesterone left to have an effect?