Does Utrogestan cause weight gain?

[Trainjourney]

I am 45 and started HRT about a year ago - 2 pumps Oestrogel and 200mg Utrogestan for 14 days. 3 months later added testosterone. I am actively trying to tackle a problem with gaining weight. Started training 5 days a week, good diet with enough protein , no alcohol. I recently noticed that on the days when I am taking Utrogestan I feel much hungrier and the weight i lose during the weeks on Oestrogen is back when i take Utrogestan. I track calories and macros religiously so not overeating. I also feel constantly craving sweets during these days even though not a big fan of sugary stuff. Do you also feel that Utrogestan affects your weight? Do I need to add more Oestrogen on the days I take Utrogestan? Thanks!

Definitely makes me crave sweets and carbs, I really struggle to stick to a diet during the progesterone phase. I feel hungry all the time and just want chocolate, or bread.

I think we generally need fewer calories as we get older. It's a real shame.

Struggle to stay away from carbs when on Utrogestan is real. I wonder if it makes it easier if to try taking it vaginally?

Makes me feel enormous.

I am curious about this too- I worked really hard to lose 3.5 stone after the first lockdown ( not all lockdown weight obvs !) and have been maintaining my new happy weight really well until I started the same regime as you in June - I am now nearly half a stone heavier and wondering if it's a coincidence or the HRT.
I hate the progesterone days I feel bloated and not like myself during this phase.
Interesting to note people saying they have cravings as of course if I am eating more of the wrong things my weight will go up .

I didn't get much info from my prescribing GP - I am going back next week for a review and want to ask about this .

Yes, it can cause symtoms the same as PMS including cravings and water retention

Progesterone intolerance is a very really thing.

some of your weight gain could be water retention and constipation as progesterones cause both of those but agree it also causes insulin swings and associated sugar cravings

have a look at the glucose goddess on Instagram. She has all kinds of hacks to stabilise blood sugar and that can be really helpful

ultimately the menopause affects our tendency to put down fat in central areas and it’s a really tough gig to fight that. Worse for some of us than others as with everything but the struggle is real!

Thanks @Createausernamehere tgat is interesting though also a bit depressing!

I look at some of my old school friends who have always slim and there isn't a hint of podge appearing whereas I am being so much more 'careful' than ever before and still gaining weight !

Grrrrr...

Anyhow I need to remind myself I could easily still be 3 stone heavier

I’ve found I’ve lost weight since starting HRT, possibly because I have more energy to go and do stuff.

I've gained a lot of weight since the start of February, when I increased my Utrogestan intake from 100mg/day orally 12 days per month to 100mg vaginally continuously (every day). I'm also sluggish and breasts much larger and really sore. Constant cravings. Don't know what to do... :( Just hope meno specialist approves of a reduction or no progesterone.

HRT makes me ravenous on the utrogestan phase. I too lost weight/ got fit in 2021, went on HRT in 2022 and piled it all back on and more. I am now making a massive effort to lose it all again and it is so hard as I am starving for 2 weeks of every month. But the HRT makes me less murderous. So it's a difficult choice to make.

Hi, I have a question for all of you who take Utrogestan only (orally). When you take it only for 10-15 days and then stop - do you experience less weight gain or weight loss (considering the fact that the water weight should wear off)?
And then maybe when starting it again next cycle experiencing bloating (weight gain) all over again?

I am terrified of gaining weight and not being able to shed it off while taking Utrogestan.
Thank you so much for your experience!

I’m on 2 pumps of Oestrogel and 100 of Utrogestan every day and have lost 10 pounds over the last 5 weeks. Really pleased.

RubyMurry22, that's amazing! Did you experience any PMS like sympotms? Like water weight?

I take it vaginally and get the crazy carb cravings, too. Am hoping that combined patches may help, does anybody have any experience of those?

@urskakoko no I haven’t had any unpleasant symptoms thankfully. I started off on find pump of Oestrogel for 3 months and then that was upped to 2 - one in the morning and one in the evening.

• started off on one pump

I came here because I am gaining weight since I started taking Utrogestan orally. Before that I had a Mirena coil for five years. I am going to ask if I can have another one because I had no issues with that.

No noticeable loss unfortunately when I Stop! I do find my insane carb cravings / hungry hippo approach to food goes away tho

I’m on my 3rd cycle, and my boobs have turned into a matronly shelf and they hurt - that doesn’t go away and tbh it’s enough to make me stop (I suspect that’s the oestrogel)

I took my utrogestan vaginally instead of orally this month (200mg for 12 dsys) and had so much weight gain. It also really increased the duration of my lueal phase and my period leaving me feeling rubbish for half the month. I also noticed my heart rate was elevated more than normal and I started to get hot flashes again. I am hoping the weight gain is mainly water as I did not notice any increased hunger.

I will be switching back to taking it orally next month. I think if taken vaginally it needs to be a much lower dose.

Is anyone doing the 3 month regime, taking it 1 month in 3?