Weight gain on HRT really getting me down

[BerryTrifle]

I started on evorel sequi in December. I've always been fairly fit and slim but put on a stone almost overnight on the patches especially around my belly (unusual for me as a pear). The doctor at my review dismissed it as my age, all women gain weight at your age etc,.but I just know it's the HRT (it's even listed as a side effect on the leaflet!). It happened so quickly.

Anyway, despite restricting my calorie intake and doing more exercise than ever, I just can't shift it. It's really getting me down - my trousers all cut into my middle and I just hate it.

Any advice? Would switching to a different type help? I'm seriously considering ditching hrt altogether- what stops me is the memory of the awful migraines I used to get. Plus I do have more energy now.

If you stopped hrt after gaining weight, did you lose it as a result?

Bumping for you as I am in the same boat.

Started hrt for peri in February and my usual slim self is fat now! All boobs and tummy. I look like my gran.☹️

Same here too. I’d have hoped it would help, but, no.

Hmmm I would think about dose and maybe test to check if your estrogen is too high maybe and then yeah, try the gel? how's your testosterone? I've been on T cream a wee while after low levels and I swear I lost weight when I started- months and months after estrigen and progesterone.

I'm also taking Evorel Sequi and have been for 6 years.
During the first two years I did pile on weight but it seems to have plateaued after that. Losing weight is also much harder whilst on Evorel.
One thing I have noticed though is that during weeks 3 and 4, the progesterone patches, the weight goes on faster. During weeks 1 and 2, the oestrogen patches, weight does come back off a bit.

I'm willing to put up with this if I continue to feel better but I agree it's not ideal.

I stopped taking it for exactly that reason, I put on a lb every week I was on it, I also started to suffer from stress incontinence.
Thankfully my meno symptoms weren't too awful mainly insomnia so that t wasn't such a big decision to stop

Have just discovered all these replies! Thanks, all. Good to know it's not just me.

No idea re testosterone levels as no-one has checked my hormones but I am a bit nervous of testosterone as someone who is on the hairy side 😬

Interesting idea re lower estrogen . I'll definitely ask at my next review.

Thanks all and solidarity. I keep thinking that at least with all the exercise I'm doing, I'll be building some muscle...no sign yet, though 😅

I think I'm in a similar boat. Started a healthy eating gig end of Dec 2022, started HRT January and my weight loss stalled at about the same time. I lost about 2 kilos and then the weight loss screeched to a halt. I've managed to lose 2 more kilos since the end of January but the effort and the consistency and the walking kilometres that has gone in to that loss, wow, it was a lot of hard work for a modest result, i'll keep going because what else can I do.
One thing that did seem to move the figures on the scale noticeably was the monk's fast. 36 hour fast. I did two of those and lost half a kilo. I was away and I ate a few more carbs than usual but did not go mad at all. I will do another monk's fast on Saturday I think. I don't find it that hard when I decide to do it, that's it, I'm ok.

Wow, the monk's fast sounds hardcore - I definitely don't have the discipline for something like that .

I also gained weight on the patches so came off them. Now I'm giving the gel a go and giving myself smaller "squirts" lol. So far no weight gain and I can still feel the positive effects of it but not as powerfully. I hope you get your dosage sorted, it's rubbish feeling like you have no control over your own body!

Thanks wankyseahorse. Fab name 😂 I think I might get in touch sooner than my review is due and ask re the gel.

The good thing about the monks fast is that the next day you add 200 calories. Normally I eat about 1400 cals, all healthy food. So 1600 felt a lot! I enjoyed an extra slice of brown soda bread and a protein yogurt. That sends your body the message "we are ok, not in famine, food isn't scarce" so it's v important to add 200 cals the next day.

I think Saturday is my next day for a MF.
I do get hungry but it is easier for me than endlessly endlessly restricting. A good feed the next day goes down a treat.

I have come to realise that no amount of calorie reduction or exercise will shift the fat around your midsection. I think it must be because it is a hormonal reaction, you cannot overide and it is very frustrating and depressing.
The game changer for me has been testosterone gel.