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Menopause

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Original poster

Why we put on weight during menopause

86 replies

Gabrielleohare · 27/02/2023 07:11

Informative post from Dr Louise Newson on Instagram this morning. I can't copy and paste the text so I've attached the screenshot instead.

It explains what's causing weight gain, how it can affect appetite and also underlines the importance of a health diet, whilst recognising that it's often hard to eat well consistently.

I'm still perimenopausal but noticed a huge change in cravings over the past few years which made it extremely hard to eat the things I knew I should be doing.

It's really helpful to know there is a reason we feel like this and it's not just us being weak willed or unmotivated.

Why we put on weight during menopause
OP posts:
maddy68 · 28/02/2023 23:16

Gabrielleohare · 27/02/2023 11:16

I’ve never seen or read anything about HRT causing weight gain. What did your doctor say? Should definitely be more awareness of that if it is a side effect.

Another who put on over a stone with hrt almost overnight

Icecreamandapplepie · 28/02/2023 23:28

No weight gain here on hrt

SomeOldDonut · 01/03/2023 00:03

Also put on a stone since taking HRT.
If anything I eat less, eat healthier foods,
and exercise more than I used to so there is no other explanation.

Jewel1968 · 01/03/2023 00:19

The thing I don't understand is science tells us we put on weight because our hormones reduce so logically I would think if I reintroduce those hormones surely the weight will fall. I have not personally put on or lost weight with hrt.

I was reading about progesterone as doc has increased my dose. Apparently it can act a little like a diuretic whereas oestrogen causes fluid retention.

Peridot1 · 01/03/2023 00:20

I started reading a really interesting book yesterday by an American doctor - Michael Platt called The Miracle of Bio-identical hormones. It’s quite interesting. His theory is that estrogen is lipogenic - makes fat. And causes insulin sensitivity. It definitely seems to fit with me. I’m currently losing weight as I’m taking Ozempic. The effect on insulin is really helping me.

I am post menopausal and never took hrt but started gaining weight when I went on the pill aged 17.

it’s all pretty interesting. Hormones are pretty strong things and I think have way more influence than we may realise.

QueefQueen80s · 01/03/2023 02:39

My mum put on weight with HRT but she ate more as her appetite increased and she was depressed etc. So it wasn't the drug.

SybilWrites · 01/03/2023 04:07

I've put on half a stone with perimenopause - for no reason at all as my diet hasn't changed and I eat really healthily! And I simply can't lose it at all. Despite trying everything including the fast 800 diet and at times hardly eating. I almost think Fuck it. But my IBS has also got much worse too so I'm sensitive to many foods I could eat before.

I'm going to go on HRT in desperation and hope that I'm one of those people that lose weight on it!

Original poster
Gabrielleohare · 01/03/2023 05:55

That must be so upsetting. Especially when they say it doesn’t cause weight gain. Something must be happening. A long time ago I had a friend who went on these birth control pills that were implants and she put on weight. They were progesterone. Maybe it’s that part of the HRT that causes the problem?

OP posts:
boboshmobo · 01/03/2023 05:56

I think we all need to realise as we get older we need to eat less and move more than we ever have ..

Shit but there it is

borntobequiet · 01/03/2023 06:00

I lost weight on HRT I think because I felt better generally, particularly less tired, took more exercise and improved my diet.

Plumbathread · 01/03/2023 07:54

I think we all need to realise as we get older we need to eat less and move more than we ever have .

Maybe it is just coincidence. We have just reached that stage in life.

I am consciously eating a bit less and moving more, and my weight is heading back to normal.

MarshaBradyo · 01/03/2023 07:55

Where does the idea come from weight gain on HRT isn’t mentioned

It is listed as Common on the side effect list

Dogsgottabone · 01/03/2023 08:24

I felt that I put on weight as soon as I started on oestrogen. BUT I'm quite sure that's because my appetite increased massively, plus I was bloated and my breasts were swollen. The day I found myself eating custard out of a tin, I gave my head a shake and started tracking again on MFP.

However I'm not that bothered, I'm a healthy BMI so I have wriggle room and I'm willing to take some weight gain for some benefits.

I am currently in the second month of utrogestan phase on day 9 and I'm so exhausted during the day after taking the utrogestan the night before on an empty stomach, I tried to start a yoga workout this morning and got 5 mins in and stopped. So my energy levels are massively impacted which doesn't help the weight gain.

Oh and my breasts are so sore on the oestrogen phase, even my high impact sports bra hurts to wear and my breasts throb whilst I'm sitting still at my desk. So again, disincentivised to exercise.

Possibly that's one of the reasons for the weight gain.

Plumbathread · 01/03/2023 08:43

I think that was part of my problem too. I used to be a bit of a gym bunny but it quite suddenly all became a bit too much effort. I have upped my exercise levels but I have to force myself. I hoped testosterone would give me my mojo back but sadly it hasn’t happened.

JinglingSpringbells · 01/03/2023 09:03

The side effects listed have to include any that occur during the trials.

Some women will put on weight but whether that can be attributed to HRT is unclear.

I think any drs would say that some weight gain for a few months may occur but it's mainly fluid that will go.

If HRT does cause appetite increase, and you recognise that, it doesn't mean you have to 'give in to it'.

Lentilweaver · 01/03/2023 09:08

I don't eat any UPFs, eat probably 30 plants a week and I have still put on a stone in menopause :( Despite walking over 10 k steps a day. Started weights this week.

Considering HRT to improve my anxiety, but dont want to put on any more weight.

MrsS0werberry · 01/03/2023 09:23

MarshaBradyo · 01/03/2023 07:55

Where does the idea come from weight gain on HRT isn’t mentioned

It is listed as Common on the side effect list

Google "HRT weight gain"

The first hit on my list is the NHS website which explicitly states HRT does not cause weight gain.

After that are endless menopause sites (some I've never heard of, some the ones I have been signposted to by my gp surgery as reliable sources of menopause info) saying the same thing.

The pharmacist based at my GP surgery told me the same thing when I said I was gaining weight.

Interesting that you say it's listed in the side effects - I'm going to take a look at my leaflet when I have a minute, and quote it back at them.when I have my review!

MarshaBradyo · 01/03/2023 10:26

MrsS0werberry · 01/03/2023 09:23

Google "HRT weight gain"

The first hit on my list is the NHS website which explicitly states HRT does not cause weight gain.

After that are endless menopause sites (some I've never heard of, some the ones I have been signposted to by my gp surgery as reliable sources of menopause info) saying the same thing.

The pharmacist based at my GP surgery told me the same thing when I said I was gaining weight.

Interesting that you say it's listed in the side effects - I'm going to take a look at my leaflet when I have a minute, and quote it back at them.when I have my review!

Show quote history

I read all the leaflet and there are many listed

I take the point below that they are recorded by women and connection is unclear

Thanks for list

SybilWrites · 01/03/2023 12:44

I took HRT for a few months in 2021-2 and did put on half a stone. I saw my boobs, hips, thighs and belly increase in size. It couldn't have been for any other reason than the HRT. So I came off it! (that wasn't the only reason - I'm very intolerant to progesterone too). I similarly put on weight in the same areas when I was on the pill back in my 20s.

I'm no longer on HRT but have recently put on 3kg - this has coincided with a 3 month gap between periods (they've recently become irregular) - I've had a period now and know from a scan that I'm ovulating again this month and I'm managing to lose weight! It's clear that's there's some link between the hormones and weight gain. I wonder if you manage to get the right levels in HRT then you won't put on weight. (I'm not sure whether it's oestrogen or progesterone or lack of it that makes you put on weight?).

I can't really tolerate progesterone at all, so will only reluctantly go back on HRT for the longer term health benefits.

lmnabc · 01/03/2023 13:03

RudsyFarmer · 27/02/2023 10:17

Going on HRT causes one stone of weight gain without changing a thing. I’d love to know why that happened.

I lost weight when going on HRT. Have put on half a stone when coming off it

MrsS0werberry · 01/03/2023 13:41

MarshaBradyo · 01/03/2023 10:26

I read all the leaflet and there are many listed

I take the point below that they are recorded by women and connection is unclear

Thanks for list

Show quote history

Thanks - my leaflet does indeed say that 1 in 10 women will experience weight gain (evorel sequi). So it's all the more puzzling why the hcps I've spoken to day said oh no, that's just your age and there's no evidence for this.

JinglingSpringbells · 01/03/2023 14:49

MrsS0werberry · 01/03/2023 13:41

Thanks - my leaflet does indeed say that 1 in 10 women will experience weight gain (evorel sequi). So it's all the more puzzling why the hcps I've spoken to day said oh no, that's just your age and there's no evidence for this.

Show quote history

The stats are based on many 1000s of women and research. Evorel is just a brand and presumably based on some research into Evorel.

As has been said earlier, pharma companies have to list all side effects even if it's one person in a million. It doesn't mean they have done placebo-controlled double-blind trials necessarily, just that they have recorded patients' experiences.

PlainSkyr · 01/03/2023 20:00

Lost weight rapidly since starting HRT - not because of the HRT but because the better sleep and energy levels allowed me to exercise better/more and hence focus more on eating right. Together all of it worked magic and I lost 2 stone in few months.

lljkk · 01/03/2023 21:10

"common" side effects has a specific definition under EU & international laws & conventions which conventions UK still follows.
Common is at least 10% & less than 100% will report this side effect.

"common" isn't "1 in a million" (0.0001%).

MrsS0werberry · 01/03/2023 21:21

My patient leaflet says 1 in 10 women will experience weight gain on evorel sequi. That's quite a long way off 1 per million.

I have put on a lot of weight since starting hrt 9 weeks ago. Prior to that I could easily lose a few lbs by cutting out snacks. I'm usually slim, i exercise a lot, and due to this sudden weight gain i have reduced my calorie intake to no avail. Yes of course I know things will slow down as I age. But this sudden weight gain has coincided with me starting hrt. Some of it is probably water retention. But not all of it - i can see it on my arms, thighs and belly.