HRT - Weight Gain

[DeeRose73]

I have just joined today so apologies if I'm not clued up on posting or where exactly to post. I'm perimenopausal and still having periods. I was on combined HRT in tablet form, which helped enormously with symptoms, but I've stopped treatment just now due to weight gain and particularly bloating. I'm quite fed up reading constantly that HRT doesn't cause weight gain, that it's the menopause itself, because it has certainly happened to me. I lost 6lbs within two weeks of stopping treatment. I exercise regularly, before and during treatment and was always slim prior to treatment. I have my daughter's twice rescheduled wedding in April and need to be able to fit back into the outfit bought over 2 years ago. That was the main reason for coming off the treatment, silly it seems when I write it down. Has anyone else experienced bloating and weight gain on combined HRT and has anyone experienced a combined treatment that doesn't cause this?

I have just discovered that I have been misprescribed Novofem, which although is a sequential treatment, it shouldn't be used with women still having regular periods, this is the second time this has happened to me. Does anyone have experience of a good sequential treatment for those still having periods?

I am in the first month of femoston 1/10.
Unfortunately, too early to say if helpful as not 'settled' on it yet.
Rather rollercoaster with my hormones at present!

Actually lost weight but been feeling stressed so likely not hrt related...

I started HRT 3 months ago, and I found I lost weight..the treatment really does help loads with the pre menopausal symptoms.

Thank you for advice. I put around 16lbs on over a 2 year period with HRT, despite all the information stating it doesn't cause weight gain or bloating. Having stopped 2 weeks ago, I've lost 6lbs, so it certainly was a symptom for me. Femoston seems to get good reviews, so I will research further. Although I am happy to be losing the weight gained I am hit again with the low mood/irritability etc. I have a gp who won't refer me to a menopause clinic despite putting me on a treatment not suitable for my circumstances. It's all an uphill struggle.

Early days for me with femoston. I am emotional at the moment. But, understand that is why a 3 month trial.
I just hope everything settles down soon!
I was not exactly on an even keel before hrt so must give it a chance...
So far, weight gain not an issue... [am craving pasta though but stressed so maybe that!].

I have just discovered that I have been misprescribed Novofem, which although is a sequential treatment, it shouldn't be used with women still having regular periods, this is the second time this has happened to me

@DeeRose73 Novofem is for women having periods.
There are only two main types of HRT

1 sequential which is estrogen daily and progestins 12 days per cycle.
2 combined continuous which is estrogen and progestin in one tablet/ patch, daily.

Novofem is estrogen daily and 12 days of Norethisterone.

If you are not post menopause, Novofem is a suitable type.

What made you think otherwise, out of interest?

@DeeRose73 HRT for perimenopause

If you click on the link you will see your HRT listed.

At the top of the page is another link to HRT for post-menopause.

I’ve actually lost weight on HRT.

A different GP at my local clinic told me I shouldn't be on it as should only be taken at least 6 months after last period and he referred me to this statement in the leaflet accompanying the medication. To be honest I am now weary of having GP's tell me conflicting information while refusing to consider a referral to the local clinic.

I'm not great with message forums, apologies, thanks for the advice. I am finding it hard to find my way around the site.

Have you had your thyroid tested?

I put a lot of weight on, went to see about menopause but they picked up thyroid issues from the blood tests.

Now on hrt for last 3 months & it's made no difference to my weight. I'm obese so watch my weight carefully & see trends.

I found the opposite. I lost weight and the bloating I previously had for years just completely disappeared after a few months on HRT.

I’m using the patches - Evorel I think it’s called? I use an Evorel 50 patch (oestrogen) for 2 weeks then a Conti patch which contains progesterone for 2 weeks, during which I usually have a ‘period’/bleed.

However I’ve just been prescribed 100 patches and a progesterone tablet as my oestrogen levels were still low after 3 months on HRT. Have you had any bloods done to see where you are?

Re weight gain. menopause and a new job involving night shifts have both fucked my sleep patterns and I’m eating at all hours, so have put on loads of weight over the past year or two. Have finally started shifting a bit of it (without any actual effort) since starting HRT.

@JinglingHellsBells I agree with your posts but checked the SPC for Novofem and it does say for menopausal women with at least 6 months since last menses. Very odd

I'd also check thyroid as you were on oral hrt.

If it's easier to access there's a great menopause group on fb run by a woman who has lobbied the government tirelessly (and helped with a number of recent changes.)

The menopause support network fb group. Diane also has a website. They cite NICE guidance. Also dr newson's website has excellent leaflets.

[quote Kummerspeck]@JinglingHellsBells I agree with your posts but checked the SPC for Novofem and it does say for menopausal women with at least 6 months since last menses. Very odd[/quote]
But that's clearly nonsense, as the ingredients in Novofem are identical to almost all other types of sequential HRT!

Continuous types of HRT are for women 12 months past last period, so their leaflet makes no sense at all.

On the same topic of leaflets, I know that meno gynaes are trying to get leaflets changed.

eg the leaflet in vaginal estrogen is the same as the one in systemic estrogen (full HRT) mentioning all the risks which do not apply at all to vaginal estrogen.

Also most leaflets quote the stats from the WHI research (done 2 0 years ago) and that's been shown to be flawed (years ago) and not relevant any more.

Op, please look on Louise Newsons website. Loads of excellent information on there. I thought oral HRT was not recommended now. The patches or gel are far far better.

I’ve been on oestrogel for two years plus. No change to weight. When my mirena was inserted I had about two pounds of water weight but that has gone now.

It's a really hard call with HRT and weight gain. I've not gained any weight in over 12 years on it. But I am using a low dose of transdermal.

The other thing is that after 50 most of us are less active and it may be that you are eating more than you need. Don't mean to sound critical, but I know that I eat less that I did when I was younger because otherwise the weight does go on!

Have you done something like My Fitness Pal just to keep a check on calories in and your activity levels?

I oiled in weight too

Particularly on my boobs and tummy

The same
Happened with the implant so I know it's the hrt. I've also tried it twice now and it's happened both times once a really low dose too.

I've found an ok range of herbal also to help and come off hrt and my weight is settling and my bras fit again.

Side effects I had with hrt
Weight gain
Sore huge boobs
A 6 week bleed
Intermittent bleeding
Didn't help my moods

Side effects I have from
Menopause
Sore joints (eased somewhat by high dose soya supplement)
Hot flushes. (Eased by the herbals)
Mood is actually better

I guess some women are more sensitive to hrt and sadly I'm one.

@oneglassandpuzzled

I’ve been on oestrogel for two years plus. No change to weight. When my mirena was inserted I had about two pounds of water weight but that has gone now.

Do you mean you put it on for a while and then it settled or that you had the water weight and the mirena helped?

I tried hrt got terrible water retention/ bloating and stopped for that reason as I t
was putting on weight

@WarriorN after I had the mirena fitted. Originally I was a different progesterone. The water weight went with some attention to diet. It was only a pound or two. I have to monitor my weight to keep it stable but find HRT gives me more energy for exercise.