Weight Gain! Help!

My breasts hurt all the time too and seem swollen. I thought maybe I was estrogen dsominant but my doc says unlikely since I am such a low dose. I was hoping the Synthtest he added would help with everything but it hasn't. It has helped me to feel more like me and I am convinved my low sex drive is just because of the weight making me ugly. I lost 85lbs in the year before my surgery so this weight gain is really disappointing. Thanks for everyone writting in.

Just wanted to add my 2 cents, I have been on vivelle .1mg for the past 9 months and have not gained at all!! I too was worried about weight gain but if anything I would have to say, my weight has been much more stable without the bad pms food binges!! have noticed sore nipples of late and alittle fluid retention but take a water pill which greatly helps. I am just gonna try and lower my dose a tad to see if it helps nipple soreness.. joints hurt as well but I have auto immune disease that causes this. desal26

I am glad to hear that not everyone on the dot has gained weight because I really like how small it is. I dhaven't has a lot of "menopause" symptoms so I think it is working but I have to get this weight thing worked out soon! Everyone's advice and comments are really helpful!

My Dr. is taking me off of the Vivelle patch due to fluid retention and weight gain and is changing me to Estrogel.

We are also going to add testosterone 1 % and progesterone cream-after having all lab levels drawn next week.

I do hope to see some improvement.

I had lab work done and my doc just said everything was fine but all he did was an FSH and a t-4. Are there other levels to check? I am also wondering if people are using their OB for this hormone stuff or if there's a hormone doc? ANy ideas? I've gained 10lbs now and I am freaking out! My doc did start me on a diurectic but no results so far. I wonder how long I should wait to see if it's helping at all?

Dear Kittenchloe


I have just switched my hormone treatment to a female family practice Dr. who has had traning in this.
My OB is great, however, I don't think many have been trained in different alternative hormones and simply do not have the time to deal with it. From what I understand, like most, they remove your ovaries and just put you on estrogen alone-which honestly is good @ taking care of the hotflashes-but I feel like there is more missing here.

I just finished reading a book by Dr. John Lee-What your Doctor May NOT tell you about Menopause-excellent read.

I see by your post that you are over a year out. I am just under 8 months post op and have gained over 10 lbs. already. That is distressing to me-to say the least. She thinks that it may be the Vivelle Dot and we are going to try to switch to something called Estrogel.

Yes, there are other things that need to be tested. Here is run down of what I am having drawn next week-
TSH, T3, T4, TPO, Fasting insulin level, estrogen, free testosterone and progesterone, basic metabolic profile and of course a urinalysis.

I am felling a glimmer of hope here that maybe I will get back to who I was prior to surgery. I have had a wonderful recovery from the surgery itself-the hormone issue has become a little more challenging.

I would suggest, if there is a compounding pharmacy near you-to speak to them about who they know-who has knowledge in this area. You need to be very careful-there is a delicate balance that needs to be met here.

Best wishes to you with all

Im on the Viville DOT too, 0.1 and so far Ive lost a little weight without trying. I see no changes in my appitite etc. Over 7 weeks since surgery here. Good Luck to all

Sweet Pea,
I appreciate your info! I am over a year out for my hysto but my SRO was just done in Jan. of this year. I didn't have any of the weight issues until they took my last ovary and put me on hormones. I am definitely with you on finding a doc that can take the time to work through the hormone issues with me. My OB just doesn't get it. I put on 10 lbs in three months which is way too fast in my opinion. I will definitely let you know what the endocrinologist has to say. Thanks again for writting!

Thanks Kittenchole,

I'm with you on that and will be anxious to hear what you Dr. has to say.

I am having all hormone levels drawn tomorrow including thyroid and insulin levels.

Look forward to hearing how all turns out for you.



Sweetpea