HRT acute weight gain and bloating, help please!

[Briarrose1]

Hello lovely people. I'm struggling so much. Started HRT 4 months ago (age 52) as I felt like death. Sorry to be dramatic but I just felt like a wrung out towel, no energy, anxiety, nearly fainting at meetings a work, puffy eyes, dry skin, night sweats, migraines, oh and nil sex drive! Started Evorel Sequi as I was still having irregular periods. Wow it was great. People were commenting on how good I looked, skin looked 10 years younger and I felt amazing. Started to 'perk up' sexually too. Then the weight gain and bloating and massive boobs started. I was already an E cup and not a big person. God knows what I am now, I darent measure or weight myself. Swapped from Evorel Sequi last month to oestrogen gel 2 pumps daily and Utrogestran 200mg for 12 days to see if that helped. Wow, I have just ballooned! Literally none of my clothes fits anymore and I feel like I need a pin to pop me. Not sexy! Tried Utrogestran vaginally too, (it's a thing) but both result in severe sedation and feeling groggy all day (sledge hammer in the head feeling). I feel like I'm not winning here and want to stop but can't face the thought of what I was like before. If you have any experience/advice/tips please Help! Thank you xxx NB tried to find a 'water balance' tablet at various chemists today but they are all out of stock . Is it all being taken by HRT people!?

Hiya, are you taking the utrogestan at night before bed? Might help the sedated feeling as you’ll sleep better? And maybe it needs time to settle down hence the initial bloat? It can take a few months for your body to adjust

I initially felt like that on utrogestan. I take it for 12 days vaginally (you only take 1/2 the dose if vaginally) and now after a few months my body has grown accustomed to it. I do still get the fatigue but only around day 10 for a day or two.

With regards to the estrogel, I had side effects too when I went to two pump. I cut it right back to one pump for a few days then very gradually increased it to two. If you feel your breasts have got bigger that suggests too much estrogen or too much too quickly.

I'm post menopause but if your still having periods you will still have your own hormones fluctuating away in the back ground. This is where the gel is useful as you can adjust your dose based on how you feel.

I went up like a balloon when I started HRT, by month three only my breasts were sore on about day 6 of utro. Once I used it vaginally on the second month of that, no more swollen breasts.

Have now switched to a coil and I have no more swollen anytbing.

I did a calorie controlled diet at month 4 of HRT and lost 9lbs in a month, I think a lot of that was utrogestan based water.

Thanks Guys. Thanks for your replies. I'm trying some different options but if they don't work I might try the Mirena - I am scared of how painful it is to have inserted though. I hit the roof with a smear test! Had VIN of the cervix a while back, i.e., the worst smear test result you can get before cancer and had quite extensive removal of the bits affected. They said at the time I would unlikely to be able to have a successful pregnancy after that as it would be too weak. Luckily I'd had my kids by then. Since then it's been super sensitive, especially the middle bit and always bleed +++ after smears. Was having it inserted painful for you Moredarkchocolateplease?

@Briarrose1 yes, but only for the time they were inserting it. I was expecting it and had some paracetemol first. Lots of deep breaths and putting your mind in another happier place!

Also fyi it's a lot less painful if you do it when you're on you're period, I had one inserted years ago like that.

I don't mind smears or internals though which helps I suppose.

I'm following as I've ballooned

After much debate I tried almost completely coming off my HRT. Lost 4 pounds in about ten days.
Now deciding what to do next

Sorry to jump in but does the mirena coil help with menopause? (Completely clueless but think I need to start being less clueless).

I tried to have one years ago but fainted (v embarrassing).

I had this issue to. Evorel sequi for a year. Then swapped onto the other Evorel. I didn't have sweats at all but felt quite low and heavy periods (albeit totally regular and long).
Having got of the scales 3 months ago I decided to stop altogether. Mu weight hasn't changed but other circumstances have stopped me going yo gym (sports injury) and vern eating more with holidays - so could well just be balancing out - I have spoken to Dr and had bloods (all normal- I'd convinced myself it was a thyroid issue - clutching at straws) but as she said menopause weight is a total pain.
I haven't had a period though for 2 months GP suspects HRT may have caused fake periods.
Personally I've decided to stay off the HRT. I'm managing my other symptoms in otherwise. Intend to get back to gym to try resolve.
Good luck OP - menopause sucks....

The merina coil provides the progesterone element of HRT. It's to protect the womb lining. It's synthetic progesterone. Utrogestan is body identical progesterone. You have this in conjunction with oestrogen which can come in the form of tablet, gel, patch, spray etc. HRT is about using both of them.

The Merina coil alone won't help your depleting oestrogen supply.

If you're taking oestrogen you have to have progesterone as well to support the oestrogen (unless you've had a hysterectomy in which case you only need oestrogen.)

They can give you anaesthetic gel to make insertion more comfortable. I fainted with a previous coil and had to go to the hospital for an injection. This time the nurse just used some gel.