Started HRT in mid Jan.
Initially on combi patches as I’ve got hypothyroidism and pills would affect absorption of my thyroxine. I had been slowly and steadily losing weight for over a year prior to this (4 stone) with lots of exercise, lots of water, and improved diet.
Patches were fine and got rid of my migraines, helped my insomnia and night sweats but I put on almost a stone and a half! I can honestly say there’s no way that’s from over eating 
. I work out hard 5/6 times a week! It was like all my hard work over the last few months had been cancelled in one fell swoop! Also my period in the 2nd month was horrendous and really painful.
Anyway I read up on bio identical HRT, and was getting sick of the black outlines on my legs from the patches (and a few fell off), so I asked my GP for Estrogel and Utrogestan as I thought the side effects may be lessened (weight gain) and the period may not be as heavy.
I have been on the gel for just over 2 weeks now and have put on a further half stone and my ankles and toes are swollen.
I am debating whether to wait and see if it settles down or just give up! I don’t want another two months of more weight gain and uncomfortable cankles if I decide to give up then though!
I keep reading that HRT doesn’t cause weight gain and it is occurring due to menopause itself but I digress
.
Any advice and experience is very appreciated.