Concerns about weight gain are one of the leading reasons that some women are wary of using hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
As a general rule, when your body has the right levels of human-identical ovarian hormones, estradiol and progesterone, these hormones work together to stabilize weight.
Your natural hormones:
* moderate appetite
* lower inflammation* improve insulin sensitive
* balance fluid retention and removal
When women on newly HRT do gain weight, it is usually fluid, which can make you feel puffy and big, and will show up as weight gain on the scale. Alternatively, if your hormone levels are still too low, you can keep the body in a state of low grade inflammation, which promotes weight gain.
You can watch my complete talk on HRT and weight gain / weight loss:
#menopause #perimenopause #weightgain #weightloss #menopausalweightgain #healthymenopause #hrt #BHRT #mht
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Is it a problem of progesterone/estrogen balance?
Thank you, Dr. Gersh. Can you dedicate an entire stream to the different hormones and how they affect weight gain?
Im gaining weight almost daily . I put on 2 stone . I stopped using HRT and within weeks returned to normal weight. I wemt back on HRT due to the horrible joint pain and again put on 2 stone in 4 months. . Im thinking of stopping all together
I would like to put on weight
Fat in belly, thighs and breasts. 20lbs
I am only allowed 37.5 mg, beaches found unusual cells in my uterus and apparently the cells LOVE Estrogen and will grow..so I’m stuck with that low dosage 😣
I've only been taking hrt for 4 days, but I have lost 2 lbs so far. I've noticed I am less puffy, so im sure it was fluid.
I just started hrt 4 days ago, and I am feeling better than I have felt in 3 yrs. I can't believe it
😢 I feel that I’m gaining weight I don’t know if it’s really working I’m so confused 😢
For a year I was on twice weekly E patch and oral 100mg of P, did fine, stayed thin and lean (I do workout each day) she switched me to compound progesterone and in 2 weeks I've put on over 8 pounds and my breast are bigger, they don't hurt but i don't like it. I think I'm going to go back to oral. I am sleeping better with the cream but this weight gain is so uncomfortable and came on so quickly.
Thanks! ❤
so…more or less hrt to stop the weight gain. this was so unhelpful
I gained weight, and my nice curly hair went almost completely straight. It's pretty devastating, and I don't feel like myself at all anymore.
I've gained almost 10lbs.. !!
HRT can cause weight gain because estrogen is a cell growth hormone, and it grows fat cells! Only when progesterone is given this cell growth slows down/stops! Lean women typically have higher progesterone activity than that of estrogen, even at baseline! When it comes to menopause, you need estrogen AND progesterone and you need to make sure they're well balanced, as long as they are, you will not experience weight gain!
There is a positive about the weight gain associated with HRT… it is purely subcutaneous fat! You don't gain visceral fat on HRT and that's thanks to estrogen's anti-androgen (testosterone) effect!
I started bhrt on 10.3.2024. 0.5 estrava gel, cyclic 200 progesterone. I gained 14 kilos in 1 year. I'm quitting, I'm like a chubby little pig.. 15.4.2025
I was put on HRT after having my hysterectomy (took everything) I gained so much weight felt like a sponge that just soaked up a pool full of water. My body and joints ached and I felt awful. The positive was the hot flashes went away. My legs were so full that after three doctors my hormone doctor was finally like let’s top everything. So I stopped everything and in one week I I lost the massive amount of water weight (8 pounds worth) my body was holding onto and the severe joint and aches in my legs went away. Everyone I would bring it up to would say I needed more estrogen and that it doesn’t cause weight gain. This is even with me working out and eating healthy with a nutritionist.
I think I would rather have the hot flashes which are only at night for me than feel swollen and miserable.
I have an appointment with my doctor on April 8th about maybe going on HRT. After reading all of these weight gain comments, i think I'll pass.
The doctor put me on HRT, and I’ve gained 30 pounds. I have been on HRT for about 8 months. I am so done with this weight. I am getting off my HRT starting today. I usually get blood work done a week before I see the doctor, and she adjusts everything according to what she sees on my blood work and how I feel. I get a shot once a month. It consists of estradiol and testosterone. I also take a night pill of progesterone. My hair grew like crazy, and I had to shave more often. I don’t feel as hot as usual since I’ve been on HRT, but this weight has gotten worse. I work out 6 days a week. I walk 40 minutes on the treadmill. I drink my water and eat about 1,200 calories a day. Eat enough fiber and protein. Don’t eat after 7. I eat breakfast until 11 the next day but continue drinking water while fasting. Still, I have gained 30 pounds and cannot lose weight. So today I am getting off from them. I will return after 2 months and let you know how I feel. Today is Sunday, the 23rd of March 2025. I will keep you all posted!!❤️❤️
Fat,distention in an area during menopause. Why so extreme????😢😮
was this weight gain in the hips and breasts? Thats what I need….I lost too much while going through peri meno
Well I want to gain weight so bad…at leat 30 lbs of muscle…