HRT and Weight Gain | Ask Dr. Susan - LIVE

Some HRT patients notice weight gain after they start their treatment, but is it due to the hormones or something else? Today I’m sitting down with Amy to answer one of the most common questions that I get asked about HRT. Watch to learn more.

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[christinaherren]

Estrogen causes things to grow— that's its job. Progesterone, on the other hand, helps balance estrogen by removing it from the body. So if you’re noticing weight gain or 'growth, ' it’s a sign that either your progesterone needs a boost to keep things in check or estrogen needs to be lowered.

[emilyhops]

This has been a very interesting and helpful video for me. I started hrt in september 2022, and within 2 weeks i saw and felt that i was fatter than before, a good dress size. The gp had just given me a standard dose, she hadnt listened to my symptoms because she kept asking if my hot flushes had improved, but i had never had hot flushes, and i had told her that. Everyone and my research, said it was because i wasnt doing anything, no exercise, eating worse - but i hadnt changed my lifestyle at all except for taking hrt. I have been put on estrogen gel 2 pumps at night, and i have a merena coil for the progesterone. If i've understood this right, i think i'll trial less estrogen. This is the first video i've seen where someone has acknowledged that we might put weight on due to hrt, instead of just blaming us. Thank you.

[winterrr-jelj]

I had lost 63 lbs i strted the hrt both estro and prog and gained almost 16lbs in 2 months. I went from having no appetite and losing weight to hungry all rhe time and bloated. Im quitting it its winter here in canada so it helps alone w hot flashes. I strted to sew if helped my leg pain constant joint pain to i cant move it pains so much but it hasby helped. Im pissed off was hoping for the miracle lol it did help e alot of the craziness and sleep etc. But i cant afford the weight gain and water retention.

[erinbuxton]

Thank you! I have gained over 20 pounds in just a few months and I live a healthy lifestyle since starting HRT

[PJhasthedeets]

Thank you for this, I started estrogen pills only two months ago and I’ve gained 10lbs! I wondered what was happening because I walk 14k-20k steps a day and eat healthy and now know where these crazy sugar cravings are coming from

[jh]

Thank you for acknowledging the weight gain! I keep hearing that hrt isn't the cause! No other explanation if it happens right after starting treatment.

[scc]

Ive been on HRT for now almost a year i can honestly say i almost gave up on HRT. I felt so much better and slept well but when it came to taking progesterone i felt like a much younger woman and got terrible cravings. To give some perspective i train in the gym 5 x a week lifting weights and did have a healthy BMI, although on the higher side because of my muscle mass. I'm so glad i persisted! I'm loosing the weight now. The cravings are under control. Perhaps my progesterone was to high but i left it as it was. I'm really just sharing this in hope that someone who sees this might just hang in there. I had put on 20 pounds but I've lost 8 so gets better.

[julieellis]

These comments are scaring me. I'm waiting for my hormone cream to be delivered, but now I'm not sure i want to use it
I've lost 16 lbs recently and I sure don't want to gain it back.

[ivalani]

On HRT for 2 months now: I gained 4 lbs and my weight was stable for the past 30 years, I also exercise almost every day. Estrogen triggered the uncontrollable cravings I had when I was in my 20s and 30s. I am now hungry late at night, which hasn’t happened in decades. I am on a low dose - 0.0375 patch. I also did not have any bothersome menopausal symptoms, I just got on HRT after reading about the long term benefits for preventing disease. I am starting to think it’s not for me.

[lorijane]

I went into early menopause back in my 30’s. I am 50 now and didn’t have any symptoms of menopause. I didn’t start hormones until 2 years ago to prevent bone loss. But I also gained close to 20 pounds. I am the heaviest I have been since I had my youngest child. Mood swings and intermittent spotting is the worst. It’s miserable to be in this situation. I think I was better off the HRT.

[brandnushooze]

This helped me tremendously! This was my story. I swole terribly and I was hungry all day and night. So I gained from overeating.

[blancakeneson]

Hi. I am so happy to know you. Finally, i found somebody who knows and understands the menopause challenge.
I am 57 y/o menopause with many symptoms. I wanted to start the HRT, but I have factor 5 leiden. The first doctor who saw me immediately told me I am not a candidate for that treatment.
The second doctor prescribed the lowest dosis of estradiol and progesterone 4 weeks ago. I am still waiting for their effect.
15 years ago, after surgery (they didn't put the device to help the blood circulate on the legs), I had an episode that seemed a DVT (no final diagnosis, the sonogram was negative, i had only pain, no other symptoms), but I got profilactic anticoagulant.
Other than that, I take medicine for blood pressure and levothiroxina for thyroid.
I am an active person, and I consider myself healthy enough to receive therapy since the benefits are a lot more than the risks.
What are your thoughts about it?
Do I need a higher dosis?
I appreciate your attention.

[shelly]

I just talked to my new provider about my weight gain, and she said. Well, it sounds like you were better off without HRT. Maybe you shouldn't be taking hormones if you felt better before taking them. I went from 115 lbs to 153 in a year and a half ! My sleeping is still 4 hours or less. I'm lethargic in the mornings and have a difficult time with a fogy brain. Then I hit a wall about 10 am and feel like I need a nap but can't take one. I had a complete hysterectomy at age 27, I haven't used HRT for decadeuntilll nearly 2 years ago. I just moved out of State and had to find a new provider.

[SandyStone-ob]

Thank you for your video. It is very interesting.
I have a question I started on estradiol 50 after 3mths it was increased to 75 and after a couple of 2weeks, My stomach was bloated l look 3-4 months pregnant because of bloating. Please advise!

[cleanqueen]

I was on estradiol cream, testosterone cream and progesterone cream for 12 years. I gained 28 pounds since I went on all this. It didnt seem to help with the night sweats or my sleep. So my dr switched me to the low dose of the estradiol patch, 100mg of Prometrium and no more testosterone. The Prometrium made me so lethargic in the morning. The patch made me bloated and gave me a discharge. So I went off everything. So far I haven’t had any hot flashes or night sweats and I sleep well. Now I’m just trying to get the weight off.

[BeaVizcarra]

I am so glad you put this information on YouTube. Thank you

[tahneelangford]

Did the caller ever update on what happened? I also am struggling with weight gain from being on progesterone and testosterone

[michellediotte]

This was extremely helpful Dr, thank you so much for putting these videos out for free for us.
I have learned so much from you. I’m currently on HRT 7 wks now, feeling fantastic. Every symptom is gone except I’m experiencing weight gain. I will now have some knowledge when I call my Dr.
Thank you so much 🌸

[rebelgurl]

I realize this is from a year ago but did you ever do a Q and A on different delivery methods and weight gain? Been on creams for 15 years… switched to the Doti patch and gained 4 lbs.

[alanacollins]

I’m surprised you didn’t talk to her about insulin resistance. Also serious strength training! We need to start talking about going INTO perimenopaise and menopause metabolically healthy meaning WITH optimal muscle mass