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Menopause

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Original poster

HRT - Weight Gain

40 replies

DeeRose73 · 20/11/2021 10:27

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?

OP posts:

Bagelsandbrie · 21/11/2021 11:21

Personally I always put on half a stone on HRT (oestrogel and utrogestan) and I’m 100% sure that’s what it is as due to autoimmune issues I’ve had to come off it (and go back on it again) a few times and lo and behold the half stone comes on and off with stopping and starting it…! (No other changes). It doesn’t really bother me as I don’t really care about my weight but I know for me it definitely does make me bigger.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 21/11/2021 11:22

Anything with progesterone in it makes me hugely fat. I just can't process it.
Now I no longer have periods I'm only on oestrogen and that's great, no weight gain at all.

SammyPark · 21/11/2021 12:18

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Original poster

DeeRose73 · 21/11/2021 12:47

Thank you all so much for advice. I developed post partum thyroiditis 16 years ago and I take 100mcg Levothyroxine. Despite this I was always around 8 and a half stone with a petite frame. I do weights and cardio at the gym most week days but accepted I would put on around a stone at this age. It was more the water retention and losing 6lbs so quickly after stopping the tablets concerned me. Plus different gp's telling me different things and not knowing where to turn. HRT has been a massive benefit to me while caring for my mum who has dementia and I want to go back on it but I certainly want a treatment that isn't going to instantly pile weight on me and GPS who are going to actbin unison with advice.

OP posts:

Kikkomam · 21/11/2021 12:49

@DeeRose73

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 think Novofem can indeed be prescribed to women still having periods?

Kikkomam · 21/11/2021 12:51

I take Novofem and find that I retain water more during the progesterone part so weigh a couple of pounds more then. Although I've lost 16lbs in the last year through diet and exercise whilst taking Novofem.

AtrociousCircumstance · 21/11/2021 12:54

Evorel Sequi patches are for women still having periods. I’m on Conti but a friend is on Sequi and says it’s had a fantastic impact on her health.

WarriorN · 21/11/2021 13:36

@DeeRose73

Oral oestrogen increases need for thyroxine. Was this checked and adjusted after 3 months of the oral hrt? Coming off may also have an effect.

WarriorN · 21/11/2021 13:39

I'm having bloating and water retention second half of cycle without being on hrt!

I'm also on thyroxine so very confused as to what to do for the best.

I've also always been slim and slight. In fact I lost weight when first diagnosed with hypothyroidism. But I think I'd stopped eating through anxiety and exhaustion.

Is it possible to have progesterone pessaries?

JinglingHellsBells · 21/11/2021 14:22

Despite this I was always around 8 and a half stone with a petite frame. I do weights and cardio at the gym most week days but accepted I would put on around a stone at this age.

Weight gain is not inevitable. I'd be horrified if I'd put on a stone! My limit is 3-4 lbs and then I cut back, seriously, until it's gone, as I am very small framed.
Lots in the media a couple of months back on medical research into weight gain in middle age.

I do think you should try My Fitness Pal as a start and see if that helps. Although you do gym stuff etc, you might still be eating more cals than you need.

vivainsomnia · 24/11/2021 08:54

Same here. I've tried various her regimes over a period of 4 years, all unsuccessful and each time I put on sudden weight, to lose it all after I stopped the treatment.

There is no doubt that in my case, HRT rather than just the menopause made me put on weight.

Rockingrambo · 27/06/2022 13:26

Just wondering how everyone is getting on without the HRT ?
I had surgical menopause 2 years ago aged 40 ,gained 2.5 stone in that time, drives me mad , I exercise frequently and log my meals in MFP . my neighbour has been diagnosed with estrogen fed breast cancer so I have now decided to come off HRT, I don't want to be in the same position in a few years time. What symptoms did you experience coming off HRT? and what suppliments did you take to help support your body through this period.

Illustratedmumsl · 06/12/2022 23:05

I took femeston for 9 month and put 14lb on. I stopped, lost 3lb but then platued, so feel its just me being 49. It was great for my peri symptoms so I might go back on it and try again because my low mood and brain fog is terrible atm. I'm not sure what to do tbh.

Illustratedmumsl · 06/12/2022 23:10

I take a multi vit with iron, omega 3, magnesium that aids muscle recovery and sleep and Ginko bilbao for brain fog. They do help but fog has become worse and I'm suffering from low mood but I think it could be the time of year

Rockingrambo · 07/12/2022 10:03

Been on it for 4 years and had 2 stone gain... I m on esrogel, I tried to come off it but felt awful so really need it for energy and brain fog
.have slowly lost 6 pound this year but really have to be careful. No bread or starchy food like pasta etc.. currently trying intermitting fasting and haven't gained, so hopefully over time a few more pounds will come off.
I m the same aged 41but docs said I need to be on it for health reasons for at least 10 years until body would go into menopause naturally

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