Will HRT help with menopause-related weight gain around my middle?

[Mimicking]

Firstly, thank goodness I found you!

There is probably a multitude of this question, but I cannot be bothered to troll through all the threads (far too tired for that!)

Weight. Will taking HRT help reduce my middle? I have been prescribed the gel stuff and some tablets - no idea of the names. I haven't started using it yet.

Over the last year I have been eating less, drinking less but also moving less due to a change in job. The weight seems to be staying regardless of the reduced eating and drinking. It wasn't a strategic move, my appetite just became smaller and I don't enjoy alcohol like I used to.

Will I see an improvement with the weight gain when I start HRT?

Reasons for the prescription: (Age 43) Severe anxiety, paranoia and heart palpitations. Cycle as regular as clockwork but has reduced to 21 days over the last couple of years. I was flooding every month but my last two periods have been surprisingly lighter. Sudden bouts of rage that came out of nowhere. Oh and brain fog! Seriously can't remember words or string a sentence together most of the time. The other day I was in the car and I couldn't for the life of me remember where a certain shop was located!

The only reason I haven't started taking the medication is because I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of tablets I was taking. I was prescribed an antidepressant for the anxiety (which has helped no end) My iron levels were low - prescribed iron tablets. On top of that I take meds for an autoimmune disease.

I found it easier to keep weight off when I was on HRT. Unfortunately, I had to come off it and I’m now on Tamoxifen, which makes it harder to keep my weight down.

I do weights work outs like you, although I only use 3kg dumbbells

I downloaded tik tok and searched for over 50s strength training. There are lots and lots of ideas on there for 10, 20 and 30 minute weights workouts. YouTube very useful too. We turned a spare room into a home gym but there is nothing you can't do in your living room. I started off with weights designed for women ( lighter weights) but now they are too light and I use my husband's 10kg weights for most of my workout. There's lots and lots of advice out there on how to really make the most of a few exercises and a few minutes. You also need to eat protein in every meal, particularly after you've worked out .I have 2 eggs scrambled or a 2 egg omelette for breakfast after a workout. Keeps me full until lunch.

Thanks for your help 😊

No medication here. I basically went with the flow,no pun intended. It was hard but intermittent so I made the best of when I was symptom free & rode out some horrendous times because I knew it wouldn't last too long in between. I'm post menopausal still with milder symptoms but interestingly it never affected my libido in fact I was & still the opposite. We all go through same but with many similar but also different hormonal effects.

To add to my post I agree with an old saying,use it or lose it. Regular intimacy not only gives you exercise it maintains & enhances your feel good sexual hormones. I know there will be posters who say try being in the mood when you feel the way I do. You will never know if it helps unless you give it a try regardless of 'in the mood' you feel

and the most recent studies are more worrying regarding combined HRT and increased risk,

Please could you share these studies?

OP - I didn't find HRT caused weight gain, but some antidepressants do. Particularly the older ones which are also used as pain meds, eg amytriptyline.

I think it is far more down to exercise than anything else. Last year I it on weight because I was very miserable after developing arthritis in one knee. It all settled (as usual) around the middle. I was very fortunate to get a place on the Nuffield joint pain programme and this has been transformative. I have lost 2 stone and, on their advice, exercise with weights and resistance machines in the gym, but also do spin and yoga classes. I have a little way to go still but I actually feel quite proud of my body now, which is amazing as I will be 70 this year. I have HRT by estrogel and a Mirena Coil which has well-being benefits, but not in relation to weight loss. My knee is virtually pain free now so all that effort has been very much worth it.

It helped me with everything but weight loss. I gained weight while on it, with no change in diet and exercise - so much so that I tipped into the obese category after a lifetime of being slim, and gained a stomach after always having had a flat stomach. I am very active and strength train regularly. Mounjaro has been life changing for me. I am not doing anything differently - I’m still eating healthily and doing the same exercise - but the excess weight has been melting off.

@dammitohdammitI follow Caroline Girvan weight training workouts. She has thousands of free workouts on YouTube and also a paid app which is about £8.99 a month. I have transformed my shape following her workouts and lifting heavy weights. My arms have definition!!

I do Caroline Girvan workouts too, just the free ones on YT. I was on the thread a couple of years ago but fell off it.