Weight gain on HRT - does it come off if you stop HRT?

[GoldenRetrieverBert]

Fully aware that weight gain may be caused by menopause itself; HRT and/or cravings from tiredness/hormones etc (I also seem to shovel crap in my mouth mindlessly like I'm detached from my body, WFH is not helping this either.

But my weight is creeping up and up - put on 2 stone since starting HRT 3 years ago.

Feeling so down and flat (and fat!). Hate myself and worried about my health too.

Wondering jf coming off HRT would help, or if I'll just have the same issues anyway then along with the lack of benefits from HRT. It's so confusing.

Any advice?

Low estrogen levels leads to low insulin resistance (sugar breakdown), as a result the middle age spread around the belly area.

A private doctor can prescribe Metformin, a diabetes and anti cancer drug, also very inexpensive. Unfortunately only diabetic or pre diabetic patients are prescribed it on NHS.

Having been off HRT for close to a year, the weight you gained won't be from that.

no, it is like it changed my shape!

I have a medical condition which means I have an extremely limited diet always. I always eat less than a thousand calories a day.

I used to be very slender, very average boobs. Now I am very apple shaped, big tummy, huge boobs but only now 4 pounds in weight more than before I started hrt!

It's not the HRT, it's being post menopause.
Women's fat distribution changes post menopause (but using HRT can prevent this.) The body stores it around the tummy.

There's loads online if you want to have a read about it.

But I am not post, it turned out they don’t even think I am peri, it was pmdd.

sorry, I know my reply is super late 😬

I've been on HRT for two years and have not gained any weight. I also watch what I eat and do quite a lot of sport.
How is your diet and fitness level? If you have become less active, this could also be regulating in weight gain.

@jaimelesoleil i suppose I am not quite as active as I was, kids are older etc.

It is my shape that changed on hrt though, so quickly as well!

I feel like a barrel 😞

HRT affects people very differently.

It definitely makes me pile on weight. It also gives me horrendous palpitations.

Just because it doesn't have that effect on one person, doesn't mean other people don't experience this issue.

@Pigeonqueen that is really interesting and helps explain my palpitations!

Didnt suit me at all weight crept up alot. Def hard to shift it. Im off my patches now. Feel more toned.

I know this is an old thread but have you managed to stay off HRT? How did you deal with the insomnia as this was my biggest issue along with flushes
however I am convinced all the weight gain around my middle is due to HRT and would like to try to come off

Made my boobs huge!

I was on metformin for type 2 diabetes, did nothing for my weight!

Interesting point you make about HRT and your breast scans @BigDahliaFan. I had a mammogram recall and they talked about overgrowth of fibroglandular tissue. I have been on HRT for five years. Obviously the denser/more fibrous the breast tissue, the harder it is to see anything suspicious. But the consultant said it wasn't linked to the HRT! (I've since read that it does cause these sorts of symptoms, so I'm confused). What did the doctors tell you?

Anyway, I've come off HRT just through personal choice now to see how I feel without it, and my appetite is a little reduced, I've noticed.

@AInightingale it probably depends on the individual I'd imagine - they were fairly phlegmatic about it but suggested I came off it - at a similar time I'd had an investigation for something cervix related and they'd suggested the same - but it was only a suggestion. I'd been on it for 10 years as I started 44 - ish so I was happy enough to see what happened and that I could go back on it if I was experiencing bad symptoms like I had in my 40s. It's been OK though. hope the same for you.

What’s the best way to come off HRT to see how I feel without. Also want to check if still periods and I can lose weight as impossible on HRT with the progesterone Been on it for about 8 years- 47 atm.
Do I reduce the patch from twice a week to once? What about progesterone- do I just wait for the bleed and then stop taking it whilst then stopping patch? Or just cold turkey and hope for the best?

I don't know @Sunflowerlanyard. I just finished my pack and never started another. I know this isn't advisable but I was freaking out a bit. They say to cut patches in half but I don't understand how this would work; the adhesive is round the edge so surely it would let in water the minute you took a shower or bath? I had a bit of breakthrough spotting, nothing major, and given we're having a very warm summer I haven't suffered as much as I thought I might. I started in 2020 at 48 and the symptoms then were terrible.

@AInightingale what sort of patches? Mine are sticky all over...i thought everyone's were?

I thought they seemed less sticky in the middle @Droolylabradors. Maybe just imagining it!

I think you are! They are fully sticky. Otherwise they would fall off once they got a little bit wet or dirty at the outside.

Yep.