Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[JoC01]

Hi - I am new to this forum so I am not sure where to look for advice as there are so many posts out there with regards to weight gain, water retention and feeling bloated. I started oestrogel 3 months ago and had the mirena coil fitted 3 years ago. I responded to the gel really quickly and my hot flushes, low mood and broken sleep disappeared really quickly. However feeling bloated and a weight gain of 10lb has left me feeling a bit dispondent and frustrated. I go to the gym every week (5-7 classes) and have been able to stabilise my weight for over 5 years, even through the early signs of the menopause. I spoke to my GP who said that the gel is not the issue - it's probably just the menopause. I've reduced the pumps to a minimum and it's still working, however I am very interested in finding out if anybody has used alternative therapies to reduce water retention and bloating alongside HRT. A lot of the products on the market mention helping with hot flushes etc but as I have these under control, I need to sort out the bloating and water retention  side effects which I am still convinced are from the gel etc. Looking forward to hearing any advice - thank you

[JoC01]

Sounds like it is something that is not being linked by doctors to HRT - It feels like a trade off at the moment but I would rather stay on the gel and see what can work alongside it - fingers crossed somebody out there has an answer

[JoC01]

Hi - yes the bloating and weight gain started as soon as I started HRT - it felt like period symptons at first then the weight gain and  bloating started. I take acidophilus complex and have been taking these for a while.

[jillydoll]

Hi JoC01
I have bloating periodically still, which I link to my hrt.
I'm on tablet form hrt, and my stomach swells up from time to time.
I actually have it now, and I take ‘Deflatine' by Rennie. There quite good.
Also, I read somewhere that if you suffer with water retention, you should higher up your water intake, as the retention is due to your body holding onto the water it has, because it's thinking you're going to be dehydrated. It releases the water it's holding.....
My bloating, wind, and acid reflux has decreased with time , at first it was really bad when I first started hrt, so hopefully, things will settle down for you too....xx

[JoC01]

Thank you - It sounds like I'm not the only one suffering with this!

[Louise 08]

Hi
I'd tried all sorts of things over the last few years for acid reflux, indigestion and bloating, trying to find out what foods triggered it, but nothing seemed to work.
Since the new year I've been doing two things which have helped more than anything. Firstly Time Restricted Eating - I only eat and drink within a 12 hour window each day, usually 8am until 8pm. Water and herbal tea is allowed in the evening, but no other drinks. It's supposed to allow your body to go into its repair cycle, all according to circadian rhythms. You can stretch the fast to 14 or 16 hours but not long term. Supposed to help IBS.

Secondly I have introduced much more fruit and vegetables into my diet. I'd kept cutting things out before and had become too restrictive. Best to build up slowly with extra portions of the fruit and veg. Trying eating the rainbow or the alphabet. I've gradually worked up to 30 different fruits, vegetables, herbs and legumes per week.

I'm sure it wouldn't work for everyone but it's worth trying out.

[AnnieR66]

Hi, I suffered terrible bloating with the gel.
I used 2 pumps and as well as the bloating the anxiety went through the roof.
I went back to evorel patches and have not had any bloating since.

Maybe you could consider trying these? I also have chewable probiotics every day.
All the best
Annie x

[JoC01]

Thank you for your helpful positive feedback! I will take all suggestions on board and see if I can reach a solution! 

[solidgrounds]

I have found Evorel patches the easiest to use - and I couldn't tolerate Estradot at all!
I am trying Estrogel which is excellent apart from the awful bloating I have been experiencing which is very discouraging so far.
Going back to Evorel patches resolves this issue - and after switching back from Estradot a while ago, I ended up eliminating so much water over 24 hours that I lost several pounds (temporarily).
We are all so different - and I am sensitive to water balance - and so with trial and error we can hopefully aim to reach a reasonable overall balance in terms of HRT and symptom-relief and fewest side-effects.

[JoC01]

Hi - thanks for the advice. I'm going to see my GP again to ask about trying the patches as presumably I can always go back to the gel if there isn't a change. I've been taking a different probiotic daily for over 2 weeks and this has helped with the bloating but so know I am still retaining water. I've been following the 16-8 plan on top of several visits to the gym each week and still carrying the extra weight that I put on almost overnight. It's frustrating from that point of view but the gel has helped with the hot flushes, broken sleep and low mood so I think I may have to accept that the benefits outweigh the extra weight. It's mind boggling! 

[Lcgbw]

I have found Evorel patches the easiest to use - and I couldn't tolerate Estradot at all!
I am trying Estrogel which is excellent apart from the awful bloating I have been experiencing which is very discouraging so far.
Going back to Evorel patches resolves this issue - and after switching back from Estradot a while ago, I ended up eliminating so much water over 24 hours that I lost several pounds (temporarily).
We are all so different - and I am sensitive to water balance - and so with trial and error we can hopefully aim to reach a reasonable overall balance in terms of HRT and symptom-relief and fewest side-effects.

I know this is a very old thread but it came up on search about bloating which is driving me mad!
This is my problem too, only tried estrodot and the gel, shocking bloating on gel but I have gained so much weight on the estrodot patches!
I'm interested to know what everlasting patches you tried? And how you?re doing now.

[solidgrounds]

Just seen your reply...I used Evorel 75mg patches (I tried 100mg but found 75mg better for me re side-effects).
I still found incomplete symptom-relief with these but they did help with water-retention and stabilising my weight? And were just easy to use and tolerate.
Estogel was not good for my migraines, unfortunately - tried to use the gel but the side-effects were too much for me despite enjoying the positive effects on hair, skin, energy levels and so on.
More recently, I have been using Evamist spray - or Lenzetto as it's called elsewhere - and this seems OK for the most part. Definitely has helped my temperature control so I no longer seem to have night sweats or hot flushes or feeling too warm (I didn't mind feeling a bit warmer in general as I'm such a very cold person usually but night sweats were horrible! And I've had those for so many years it's nice not to have worry about them anymore - although we are at the start of our summer so I hope the estradio spray will continue to work in this respect!).
I have stuck with one spray for now - I did try 2 sprays but generally prefer to stay on low doses and with fewer side-effects which end up preventing me from tolerating so many meds/supplements/etc) - and you can use 3 sprays if needed? Obviously, using one spray means the spray lasts longer (56 sprays are the maximum in each unit).
I will continue to monitor my symptoms and the benefits of using this spray; I have also wanted to find an estrogen prescription that is available in both the US and the UK - so I was delighted to find out that the spray is now available in the UK!
I no longer require a progesterone but I used Utrogestan vaginally in the past.
I still have my Evorel patches on hand and I have considered using the patch with one spray to see how I'd react but for now, I?ll mainly strick with Evamist.
I still seek additional support and I certainly haven't found HRT a miracle cure but I am much happier taking estradiol than not doing so - and for all the medical benefits in the longer-term (and I have to be mindful of osteoporosis), too.
I think if women need to take additional medications, they should feel confident in trying them out - whether SSRIs or any of the other means of support there is available? And for different health reasons, of course.

[CLKD]

Yep solidgrounds - it's Trial and Error and finding what suits can be difficult.