Hysterctomy/ oopherectomy weight gain

[Sususudio]

I had a hysterectomy and oopherectomy about 10 months ago because of debilitating fibroids.Since then I have put on almost a stone and all around my waist and bust. I am on HRT- 2 pumps of Oestrogel daily but nothing else.

You will have to take my word for it but its not my diet. I dont eat sugar or UPF, very little carbs, lots of veg and protein. Dont drink at all.

I walk over 10 k steps a day, weight train twice or thrice a week and swim for an hour on weelends.Has had no effect .

Wondering if this is hormonal and I need to tinker with my HRT. My GP seems very indifferent and not bothered really. I dont think she knows too much about the menopause.

Cant fit into most of my wardrobe andf
feel really awful. Anyone else struggling with the same situation?

What age are you? Younger women often need higher doses of oestrogen. Have you got other symptoms? Hot or cold flushes, itchy skin, aches and pains, anxiety, palpitations (out of nowhere and not anxiety related), fatigue, trouble sleeping or staying asleep, night sweats, easily upset or angry, brain fog, forgetfulness, trouble with word retrieval, electric static shocks?

You might be missing progesterone. Not usually prescribed if you don't have a womb as doctors are taught it's only needed to keep the womb lining thin but it's actually our biggest hormone and without it there can be gut issues. Personally I hate the stuff but lots of women love it and feel great on it. Easier to get it prescribed if you've had a hysterectomy because of endometriosis as it's recommended in that case.

You could talk to your GP about reducing or increasing your oestrogen dose. Some women put on weight with too much, some with too little. Unfortunately it's all very individual.

I'd also get your thyroid checked, often menopause and/or hysterectomy triggers thyroid issues.

More than likely 2 pumps of gel isn't enough.
You can use up to 4 pumps.

2 pumps is 1.5mgs. Some tablets are 2mgs and patches go up to 100mcg which is the equivalent to 4 pumps of gel.

As @Apileofballyhoo has suggested, you may find progesterone beneficial. Anecdotally, my friend had a complete hysterectomy, was prescribed oestrogen gel and felt terrible and gained lots of weight around her middle.

Initially she was prescribed higher doses of oestrogen, >4 pumps a day, and still no change. She then saw a specialist privately who prescribed progesterone and testosterone and she feels great now. There was a period of tweaking doses to begin with.

Yeah, two pumps is almost certainly not enough if you have zero oestrogen otherwise. I'm on three and I still get periods. I would up your oestrogel, but do it gradually, 2.5 to begin with, then 3, etc.

@PortiaWithNoBreaks The downside of using progesterone is that estrogen-only has no or little breast cancer risks but adding any progesterone does. This may not be relevant short term but the risks may rise after 5 years. It's just something to consider.

This post is really informative and helpful, thank you.

OP, I had the same op and have also gained weight around tummy (never had before).

Since starting progesterone it has started to reverse so agree it could be the missing ingredient.

Thanks for all the replies. Let me try to answer the questions.
(1) I am 52.
(2) Other than weight gain, I feel pretty ok
No hot flushes, no excessive anxiety, no brain fog, no itchiness. Sleep is not great but ok. In fact I have a lot more energy than pre hysterectomy. Maybe thats why my GP only suggested two pumps.
(3) @Apileofballyhoo I was told by my GP that I dont need progestorone any more after the oopherectomy. I will get my thyroid checked.

I think we need to tinker around. Maybe I will just increase my HRT to 3 pumps and see how I do. GP seems to think weight gain is just the usual 50 something weight gain but I don't believe it is. I just feel my body has gone very odd. A sort of bloaty feel.

I may need to see a private specialist.😟 Its all so complicated.

Oh @Opalspirit progesterone worked for you! No idea why the GP took me off it then.

Trained that women only need it to control build up of womb lining.

I'm in surgical menopause @Sususudio (10 years experience of this). Trust ne - you don't need progesterone, it will complicate things. The weight gain is 100% due to loss of estrogen and I would - gradually - increase your dose of estrogel.

I'm also any tips here.

I'm 49, hysterectomy and oophorectomy in Feb, and since then I've put on 5kg's and I have a wobbly tummy which I've never had. I was already on 4 pumps of oestrogel, tried patches (awful, didn't absorb), and now on Sandrena gel (2 sachets/day, so the max licensed dose).

I weight train 3x week, don't eat badly, don't drink much, if I calorie track I'm on around 1600/day, I'm 5'9, and at this year's health check through work everything was really good (cholesterol etc.) except body fat %, waist size, and weight. BMI now just over 25 and going the wrong way.

I honestly don't know what to do with it - I don't want to starve myself because I need the energy etc for the weight training, and I mountain bike once a week when I can, and I'm re-starting running soon (when I have time around work).

I feel a bit despairing about it, so any tips much appreciated !