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[LouLou]

Hi, I'm just curious - this is my 5th week on HRT - (Oestrogel & Utrogestan) - it started off great, I honestly felt like a different person - since then, it's been up & down in the last 3 weeks, but I've also had a horrible flu virus.
My question is - is it possible to lose weight on HRT?- I'm always very weight aware, I'm not overweight but that's because I'm careful about what I eat & do lots of exercise - I do tend to put weight on very easily!!!
I just feel "heavy" in these last few weeks and I've been more conscious about what I'm eating as I have read that HRT can cause weight gain??

[Sid]

Hi LouLou

I am afraid I have put on over a stone in the last 12 months since starting hrt. I used to be a trim size 8 or 10 but now am a firm size 12. I have found that I am ravenously hungry a lot of the time (This wasn't the case before starting hrt). Finding it very hard to control my appetite 

[Hurdity]

Yes definitely. Although I've put on a few pounds in the past few months ( not sure why) I've been on HRT for 12 years and I still lighter than I have been when peri-menopausal and also have been lighter even when on HRT.

Some progestogens tend to cause bloating and if you are taking them all the time this effect might be exacerbated? Oestrogen should not cause weight gain but your boobs should be more substantial ( if you start HRT when almost post-menopausal and they have lost their structure), and your fat distribtuion may alter back to a true feminine shape ie round the hips and not the waist/midriff.

Some women seem to report weight gain but not sure why - it's not a given. Weight does pile on at this time as metabolims slows so you have to pay more attention to diet and exercise - eat less especially carbs and sugar, eat more fruit and veg and pulses etc, and exercise more especially resistance - body-conditioning, light weights etc.

If you're ravenously hungry - make sure you eat lots more lean protein at mealtimes and snacks and drastically reduce sugar, refined carbs, extra fat, processed foods. You should be able to eat when you're hungry until satisfied and not put on weight, as long as you don't eat the wrong sort of foods and keep those muscles toned!

Hurdity x

[Tinkerbell]

I have lost weight since I started HRT, awful VA meant I couldn't exercise, now that's under control, apart from odd flare,  I am back to exercising four times a week. I use a Mirena and and Estrogel.

[Kathleen]

Hello LouLou.

I don't know about losing weight but in the six years that I have been using HRT I haven't put weight on. I go through phases of being very hungry and eating all day to having very little appetite and living on snacks. I think the trick is to eat real food and avoid processed stuff so your body gets what it needs and doesn't store unwanted fat. I have also avoided bloating and water retention.  I think there are other ladies who haven't put on weight using HRT so hopefully they'll also be along to advise you.

Hope this helps.

Take care.

K.

[Mandyjw]

Hi Loulou

I've been on utrogestan and Estriol gel since June last year and I've lost about half a stone. I've started walking further every day with the dog (Fitbit keeps me focused) and I started a beginners2runners club twice a week interval running but hurt my knee at week 9 so I'm restarting the new group April 30th
I pretty much eat what I want and my weight stays the same, although I am careful always have been with food I'm not overweight I'm 10st and 5'6 and I do like my wine! 😂
I do take a Colpermin tablet everyday which stops the heavy bloated feeling I sometimes feel
along with evening primrose oil x