Did HRT help your lifting?

[redfacebigdisgrace]

I am going on HRT due to osteopenia. I also find it hard to build muscle and wondered if bigger muscles might be a nice bonus!

Honestly it helped me in so many ways that benefit my training. Better sleep, less anxious so more effective rest, more energy, and yes I think the hormones help (along with plenty of food and progressive overload) with adding muscle mass. I have been training to build muscle for 18 months and made great progress.

I went into early menopause so my hormones were all zero, I am on progesterone/oestrogen/testosterone and after some faffing around to get the dose right I feel so much better. My bone density was ok though, probably because I caught it early.

That’s brilliant to hear. Thanks. Did you gain weight on it? That’s what is holding me back. My symptoms are manageable- mild anxiety and brain fog, sleep not great. But the bone issue means I would be mad not to. Also do you take testosterone too? Thanks again.

Sorry just read you’re on testosterone- did you get it privately? Thanks!

Since starting HRT I have done a 6 month bulk at varying levels of calorie surplus, a 3 month cut at varying levels of calorie deficit and 6 months at maintenance. I have had exactly the results I would have expected to have in terms of weight gain/loss at each level of calorie intake. Which is a long winded way of saying, no HRT didn't affect my weight at all I don't think.

I went private to get the initial tests/prescription (via work private medical insurance because my periods had totally stopped at 42 and it turned out to be early menopause). My NHS GP now prescribes all 3 on the recommendation of the private consultant.

It's one of those things you can try and see what suits you. Different doses and types suit different people and it can take some trial and error to find what works best for you. Osteopenia is serious though, your training will help bone density but HRT can be a really good way of protecting yourself for the long term.

@everycowandagain that’s really helpful, thanks so much for taking the time to type all of that out!

I wish I could do the bulk and cut, but I’ve had an eating disorder previously and find it really triggering to track too much.

I have put on a kilo in five months but my body fat is very slightly reduced. Slow progress though! Although my lift numbers are way up, so I suppose that’s the main thing!

I have a few things on this weekend, so I’m going to start on the HRT after that. I’ll see how I go without the testosterone to start with, but I will keep it in the back of my mind.

Thanks very much again.

Muscle gain is always slow progress!!

The bulk was a really interesting experience, but 6 months of untracked maintenance has also given me visibly more muscle so bulking certainly isn't the only way to do it.

Good luck with it, give it time and see how you feel. I hope it goes well for you!

The testosterone really helped - but then mine was very low. I got it prescribed by BUPA using the menopause service and now my GP does the repeats. Ask GP to test testosterone, and if it’s under 0.5 then might be work getting the gel.

Sorry to ask a stilly question but what’s bulking?

@ChocolateGanache bulking is eating a calorie surplus while training hard in the gym to add muscle mass. So I ate 2-300 calories more than my maintenance level and trained with weights to get bigger/stronger!