Lost weight after stopping HRT??

[Bajandanz]

Hi there

Has anyone had the experience of gaining weight when going on HRT (oestrogen gel) and the IUD (Mirena). I’m 46 and of average height and weight but since April 2024 I have gained 16lbs on this combo of HRT. My doctor put me on this regime because I was having terrible PMDD symptoms and because of my age. But no tests were done. And my periods were always regular. But very heavy. So I was already a little sceptical on if I even needed the gel. But I decided to give it a go to get rid of the pre-period crazies!!
Since then I am also experiencing very tender breasts. But the weight gain is very depressing. And to gain so much so quick is alarming. So I spoke to my doc again and she said to come off the oestrogen gel and see if the weight goes down. In all fairness it only looks like I’ve put on about 10lbs because she believes it’s mostly water retention.
And For the past month I have been on a calorie deficit diet and eating clean and healthy and also doing 3 strength training sessions a week. And so far ……no weight change. 😔 I’m still weaning off the gel. But I wanted to know……

Has anyone had this experience and have you lost the weight after coming off the HRT?

The Mirena causes weight gain.
I put 2+stone on and I wasn’t even in peri at that point! I lost it once it was removed.

I know a lot of women complain of weight gain on HRT but studies actually show the opposite. Calorie needs drastically reduce at this time though.
How many calories do you currently eat per day? Have you worked out your tdee? You need to reduce the calorie amount by 20% for a weight loss target.

tdeecalculator.net

I am in a 500 calories deficit per day. I wear a Fitbit and track all my calories and my food intake . I’ve been doing it for the month to get an idea of what I burn and what I eat. It’s tedious but helps to get an accurate idea of calories in and out.

I’ve heard the Mirena also puts on weight gain but before I removed that (it’s expensive) my doc said to stop the oestrogen gel first and see if that makes a difference. Because that can also cause weight gain. Mainly water retention. And with my breasts also being constantly tender and hard it may have been that it was too much for me and I didn’t need it at all. So I’m weaning off and will see if that make a difference.

If no change by November I’ll have to consider taking the Mirena out.

But I’m hoping stopping the gel alone would help. And wondered if anyone had also been in my situation and had any results with just stopping the oestrogen.

Hello! Yes. I have the mirena and I'm on the gel (two pumps). Definitely have put on weight since the mirena nearly two years ago. About the same and mostly on tummy. Also wonder if it's diet-related or HRT.