Oestrodose and weight gain

[samthebordercollie]

I started taking oestrodose gel a few weeks ago, progersterone a week ago and my weight has gone up quite horrifically with no change in diet or exercise - has anyone else had this side effect?

Anyone? It's the same as gel as Estrogel

when you say its gone up horrifically, what do you mean.

I gained weight on HRT. Ive always beeen sensitive to hormones, however perimenopause and menopause isnt fun either and the HRT helps

Thanks Branleuse. I mean 2kgs in 2 weeks, I'm very active and do a lot of sport and have stayed the same weight throughout the menopause until now.
I guess it's very specific, some people lose weight, others gain.

I would give it a few months and see how it goes.
Are experiencing any other effects (positive or negative)?

@SlobDylan I'm sleeping a little better than before but never had hot flushes or anything. 3 weeks in is probably too early to give any more results. I wondered if it would make me less bad tempered!

I'm on Oestrogel and have also gained weight since I started it just over a month ago. Bit depressing.

@samthebordercollie

Thanks Branleuse. I mean 2kgs in 2 weeks, I'm very active and do a lot of sport and have stayed the same weight throughout the menopause until now. I guess it's very specific, some people lose weight, others gain.

Very similar to you : so lots of sports and similar weight gain It increased my appetite so I absolutely know I've eaten too much and it caused my gain Completely stabilised now and that extra is coming off Less pmt 3 months on so actually much less reactive to hormones - it's more on an even keel throughout month for the first time in my life which is great Positives far outweigh the slight increase in weight which I just have to be strict on now to lose (it affects my sport not just vanity and clothes not as comfy)

Yep I always put on about a stone on oestrogel and utrogestan- I know it’s that because for endocrinology reasons I’ve had to come on and off it several times and it happens every time (no other changes to anything). I guess it’s because oestrogen is basically a form of steroid - it raises cortisol levels (this is why I’ve had to come off it several times for tests relating to Addison’s disease as it affects cortisol levels). Not everyone has weight issues on it though and for many women it makes them feel so energised and better they exercise etc more so actually lose weight.

Thanks userchangeagain and Bagelsandbrie. I've read that progesterone can offset the weight gaining effect of oestrogen.
I hope it stabalises off for me too. I haven't noticed an increase in appetite strangely enough!
I'm certainly sleeping better than before, which means that I'm not looking for sugary food because I'm tired. And HRT definitely seems to be helping in my sports performance too, despite the 2 extra kgs. So I think HRT will be worth it.

I've tried various types of HRT, 4 times now, and each time, I have put on weight within a couple of months despite no change at all to my routine. I've lost it each (well now trying to lose it after the 4th unsuccessful attempt). Whoever claims that hrt doesn't make you put on weight is having a laugh. It probably doesn't for everyone but certainly for some. It's not weight so much but the fat content.

This is one of the reasons I've decided to give up on HRT for good considering it is not bringing up the benefits I hoped for.

I ran out of HRT a month ago. I've lost weight more quickly the last few weeks. I am also low carbing though so maybe a coincidence

Hot flushes have returned which is annoying though.

I fucking piled on weight when I stared on Evorel. Also super active and my diet hadn’t changed. It was all water weight, I could feel the bloating and it was really uncomfortable. I persevered, drank shit tons of water and now it’s gone. Been a six month process but I’m back to my previous weight.

@IShouldBeSoLurky

I fucking piled on weight when I stared on Evorel. Also super active and my diet hadn’t changed. It was all water weight, I could feel the bloating and it was really uncomfortable. I persevered, drank shit tons of water and now it’s gone. Been a six month process but I’m back to my previous weight.

IShouldBeSoLurky did you have to change your diet at all? I hope mine is water weight. I drink lots of water anyway so will continue to do that. The weight I have is around my bust and tummy which were previously quite flat.

Body fat distribution does change with menopause anyway @samthebordercollie although using HRT does help to prevent this by keeping lipid levels healthier (HRT is thought to help prevent diabetes ) .

It's usually the progesterone part of HRT that causes weight gain- the same as in our fertile cycles, when a lot of women notice weight gain in the 2nd half of a month, as part of the PMS.

I've used Estrogel for almost 14 years. I've put on no weight and in fact lost half a stone some years back after I'd stopped being quite so careful with my diet.

I definitely feel more bloated during the Utrogestan phase and find I crave carbs during that time.

If it's just 4lbs you have put on I'd not fret too much. Just cut back on refined carbs and maybe use something like the 5:2 diet for a couple of weeks to shift that excess baggage! :)

Also, @samthebordercollie you mentioned sleep. Is your sleep still not great?

Lack of sleep is a big health issue (not something we ought to accept or dismiss.)

Poor sleep has a direct correlation with weight gain as it messes up our metabolism and can impact on heart health.

My dr told me that lack of sleep is a serious issue for health, which brings its own risks, so if HRT helps, that's a good thing.

@JinglingHellsBells I'd read that it was the oestrogen that put on the weight especially around the breasts and tummy area, and that progesterone reduced this weight gain!
Can you tell me how you take your combination? Do you stop both after 26 days and bleed? I don't know why I need to have a 'period' because I certainly haven't missed them over the last 4 years.
Another kg on this week it's impressive. I really hope it stabilises soon or I won't fit in any of my jeans.

'd read that it was the oestrogen that put on the weight especially around the breasts and tummy area, and that progesterone reduced this weight gain!

Where di dyou read it? A medical site? A blog? Another poster? it's bollocks wherever!

Progesterone 'negates' the effects of estrogen on the lining of the uterus.

It doesn't negate all the good stuff that estrogen does to the body overall.

If you are using 26 days of Utrogestan that is not the period sort.

The 'periods sort' is 12 days per month. Then you have a bleed about 3 days after the last capsule.

You are using the combined continuous type. Some drs say take for 26 days but you can take it every day. That would avoid a bleed at all.

BUT the downside is that progesterone can cause bloating and weight gain.

I use 10 days of Utrogestan as directed by my dr, on a cycle.

ps it's highly unlikely you will get a period on 26 days of it.

It's a 'safety ' measure to allow a bleed it there is any blood to come away but most women don't have one using it for 26 days.

@JinglingHellsBells thanks for your reply! I'm a complete novice. My prescription is 26 days of œstrogène and at day 14, 14 days of progesterone. I have tummy cramps but no blood.

[quote samthebordercollie]@JinglingHellsBells thanks for your reply! I'm a complete novice. My prescription is 26 days of œstrogène and at day 14, 14 days of progesterone. I have tummy cramps but no blood. [/quote]
Really? Is this your GP?

Everyone uses estrogen 365 days a year- you don't stop.

It's likely to get some cramps but it may well not happen again.

Im in France and it wasn't clear from the prescription if I stopped the Estrogen or not - I didn't, so I did the right thing. Thanks so much for your help. Thé gynécologue si saw is CB leaving the hospital so I won't see him again. GPs here can't prescribe HRT unless it's a repeat prescription you need to see a specialist

No, I just hung in there. I knew my weight had been stable before so I promised myself if the extra weight was still there in a few months I’d bring out the big guns stop drinking wine but it came off so I didn’t have to.

@IShouldBeSoLurky

No, I just hung in there. I knew my weight had been stable before so I promised myself if the extra weight was still there in a few months I’d bring out the big guns stop drinking wine but it came off so I didn’t have to.

😂😂 I understand your thinking. Patience isn't a virtue of mine but I'll hang in there too as ultimately the positives out way the negatives!