Did anyone lose weight during peri-menopause or menopause without really trying?

[hueyblue]

I'm 44 and think I am peri-menopausal. However, in the past few months my body shape has changed (I have lost my belly) and lost a bit of weight and I am eating more or less the same as always.

Has anyone experienced weight loss during peri or menopause?

My blood tests are coming out normal and I had a pancreatic enzyme blood test about 8 months ago which came out normal too.

I did recently have a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst which caused quite a lot of painful symptoms but ultrasound said this is now gone and no other issues found on a vaginal ultrasound.

Just want reassurance that sometimes women lose weight rather than gain it during the menopause.

Yes, I did! I lost quite a bit of weight without trying. I wasn't overweight - I went from the top of the healthy range for my height to the bottom, so didn't end up underweight either. I had to go on HRT for other issues (insomnia and anxiety) and that stabilised my weight. I have now gained some but not all of it back. Of course, you should mention the weight loss to your doctor, if you haven't already :) Good luck!

I did because my appetite is half what it used to be.

Blimey! This is encouraging, I had no idea people lost weight during menopause.

I've gained weight in menopause 😭

If nothing else has changed at all I would keep an eye out for symptoms of ovarian cancer, unexplained weight loss is one of the few symptoms that sticks out!

I have lost over 2 stone. It was intentional, but after struggling with my weight for most of my adult life it was suddenly easy when I reached the menopause. I just cut down and ate sensibly and it came off slowly over a couple of years. I do feel lucky since most people seem to put on weight.

I lost a bit of muscle during my peri due to insomnia, anxiety and depression. After taking hrt I gain weight.

Sorry, posted too soon. Just wanted to say the menopause seems to affect people in lots of ways, we are all different. Hopefully what's happening to you is just menopause related, but if course keep an eye on it.

It started to become easier (that is, possible) to lose weight from my early 40s onwards. I’ve lost a bit more since then, partly due to eating a bit less and giving up alcohol. I do have a theory that for some women higher oestrogen levels pre-menopause can cause problems with weight gain. I was one of those pubescent girls who seemed to gain two stone overnight - all of it on bum and thighs - as soon as my periods started. I’m intrigued to finally find a thread that mentions this subject as I suspected I wasn’t alone.

I’ve gained weight since HRT low dose meds but I’m grieving for our dog and we’ve just moved ... choc is my weakness but this is quite common in menopause apparently and supplements can take the edge off ... to a degree anyway for me but I’ve gone up a dress size and for a few years was able to be stable with a reasonable weight

Hmm. So, if I am someone who never had a weight problem until peri-menopause, but now the weight is creeping on, would HRT potentially help to stabilise/stop the gain by pushing my hormones back closer to where they were 10 years ago? Or would I just put on even more?

Thanks for all your replies, forgot I wrote this!

I have had several thorough ultrasounds and my ovaries are clear/normal as well as a clear colposcopy so I don't think this is anything sinister. I have been very very anxious over the last few months though, so this could explain my weight loss.