If HRT makes you fat

[SummerDaysOnTheWay]

Have you found one that doesn’t?
Every time I have tried it, I just bloat up. Same with the pill.

Have you tried a very low dose of estrogen, just enough to control your symptoms?

oestrogel has been amazing and I’m losing weight in a calorie deficit. Progesterone stops that weight loss for me and as there’s no clinical need for me to be on it I’ve stopped it. What are you taking or using?

Progesterone stops that weight loss for me and as there’s no clinical need for me to be on it I’ve stopped it.

@socks1107 Why were you prescribed progesterone if you've had a hysterectomy?
As you say, there is no need.

Absolutely no idea! A gp gave it me six months after starting oestrogel and said I needed it for preventing cancer in case any bits of womb had been left behind? I’d been managing really well up to that point and after a month on it I stopped it.

That only applies if there's endometriosis somewhere else in your body.

'Bits of your womb left behind'? How ridiculous.

Clearly, they are not a surgeon!

Yep

Great for you if it makes you lose weight. For some of us it has the opposite effect.

I think the bloating caused by oestrogen is mainly caused by fluid retention. Have you tried cutting down on salt and on upf (which contain a lot of salt) and upping water intake?

Progesterone can cause weight gain due to slowing of digestion. I would up fermented foods to improve this by supporting your gut microbiome. Foods containing natural enzymes can also help e.g a kiwi after a meal is great for digestion and has a lot of fibre to support your gut.

Have you tried different types of progesterone?

There are many options. I've been offered at least 4 over the time I've been on HRT.

Norethisterone for 6 years, then I swapped to Utrogestan - many years on it and it's fine.

I was also offered the Mirena coil or the mini pill (Noriday) in a larger dose as part of HRT.

I don't know how long you've tried different sorts but the guidance is 3 months as any bloating can settle down after that.

'Bloating' is not weight gain. It's fluid retention and temporary. Weight gain is weight gain.

I had alot of fluid retention just didnt feel right. Suits most just not for me. When he upp my patch my bp crept up so no point. I def put on weight.

I’ve been on oestrogel, and various patches. They all make me fat. I can’t stand not having it though. It’s very frustrating. I absolutely know 💯 it’s the HRT because I’ve had to come on and off it many times for medical reasons and whenever I do I always lose / gain exactly a stone and a half without changing anything else.

Made my boobs huge

Weight gain is weight gain!
I’ve been on it for 2 years. Tried loads of types… at least 1/2 a stone goes on every time.

This too! And they are enormous anyway!

Yes def a downside of patch hard shift it then.. but my friend said suits her well she very slim though

This is the most ridiculous thing I've read on here and that's saying something.

Maybe I need to try it after all!

Can I ask a question as I know the dr will have to give the 'official' answer...

I have started her in the last two months, gel and progesterone tablets. Felt amazing on oestrogen but don't like the progesterone.

I know why you need to take it and I'm not disputing it at all, but... I have a levosert coil.

The levosert has the same level of progesterone as a mirena but the levosert isn't licensed for her (only the mirena is). I know the dr has to say levosert isn't licensed and therefore has to prescribe progesterone but in my mind, if I'm getting exactly the same dose, why do I need to take progesterone when I'm already getting it?

So the short question is, can I stop taking the progesterone tablets with any confidence?

@SnoozingFox crazy isn’t it! My whole
journey has been a bit crazy. Started with the gp suggesting meditation for menopause and in the end I went private for my hrt and got the gel. I’m sticking with the private GP now as I don’t trust my local one to give me the right treatment.

This is what's upsetting me at the moment. I was always DD, now F or even G in some styles of bra. Stopped HRT for 2 months, felt like shit, but the G size knockers remained. Looks like once you've grown them, you're stuck with them.

I can relate. I had two (middle-aged, female) GPs tell me that I needed Prozac/Sertraline when I was an anxious, insomniac mess a couple of years after my hysterectomy. Another younger male GP took bloods, said I was fine and all I needed was some folic acid. (Wtf?)

A fourth GP has been more reasonable but only because I now go knowing exactly what I want from them and don't expect any sort of knowledge or diagnosis from them.

I’ve been taking it for years and it has no effect on my weight. If I’m overweight it’s because I’m a pig!

what is the name of the coil? You've mentioned the drug in it but not the name.
Is it Jaydess?

The dr can prescribe anything off licence if they are happy to.

However, why don't you swap to the Mirena if it's the same and that can be part of HRT?

If you're stuck, the best thing is to see a consultant who works privately as they have more freedom to prescribe off-licence.

Thank you, the name of the coil is levosert. I would be happy to change to a mirena, I've had it a few times previously, they swapped me to levosert last time I had it changed (without telling me in advance) as it's cheaper. I don't know if they would change it with a couple of years to go due to cost. I guess I can try though. Just seems madness that it's the same hormone and same quantity but can't be used in the same way.

Playing devil's advocate- how would your GP know if you stopped Utrogestan?

If you can't get a Mirena on the NHS there are private GPs who fit them for a fee and the cost of the coil.