Does HRT cause weight gain, or difficulty losing weight?

Hi everybody,
June here, TAH almost a year ago.
Trying getting off Vivelle dot and Progesterone right now,
just want to see if I'm OK without them--I've heard of lots of women that are. I'll be using Estroven for awhile to wean myself away from it.

It seems I read somewhere that hormone therapy causes weight gain & more difficulty losing weight.

Has anyone else heard of that?

I've never had such trouble with my weight as I have in the last year. I've always been very active and been able to eat whatever I want.

I've been on very low carb, no sugar diet for 3 months now,
and am back down to a good weight, but it's been WAY more difficult that it used to be.

Any input will be much appreciated,
June

Hi June!

Thankfully, taking HRT does not cause weight gain. I hope the following article from the Post-Op Articles list is helpful to you:

Weight Gain After Hysterectomy?

I have lost over 20 pounds since I had my surgery and began taking HRT because I made the decision to stick to eating lower-calorie, lower-fat foods in moderate portions, and getting exercise every day. Staying in shape is work, but it's worth it to me to look good and feel good.

Personally, I think it is having a hysterectomy that changes the body so much and makes it hard to lose weight. Hrt is not exactly the same as what our ovaries produced. I also believe it depends on age , because the metabolism starts slowing down a lot as we come closer to 50, at least that has been my experience . I have been exercising and eating healthy for years, but since I had the surgery and gotten a little older it has been very hard to lose.

I don't think hrt has caused me to gain, but I do retain some fluid on it, which gives me about 4 extra pounds when I have gotten off of it.

I hope you will do well off of your hrt, if not, you can always go back on if you need to.

s

June,
You may want to have your thyroid checked also. It is not uncommon for the thyroid to become imbalanced during menopause. Weight gain can be one of the signs. You can read more in the articles at www.hormonejungle.com

O.K, great.
Thanks for the responses, everybody.

June

I have had trouble with weight since the birth of my first child (13 years ago). I have also had trouble with my hormones for a long time. I was finally diagnosed with severe adnomyosis and right ovarian cysts and had surgery for hyst and R. ovary removal in 2005. About 6 months later, I started having trouble with facial hair, and severe pain in the left ovary. Blood work showed extremelly elevated levels of testosterone. Left ovary was removed for tumors in 2007. Now...I absolutely can not stop eating. I think I am missing a chip in my brain that tells me I am full. I am not taking any hormones. It's been a year and a half. I feel like my stomach is twice the size and I have gained another 20 lbs since my surgery. I am going to a hormone specialist on March 5th. Does anyone have any recommendations? I really, really, really need to lose weight. I know most of it is due to lack of self control, but it is SO bad now. Thank you. If anyone has any hormone replacement stories, recommendations, that would be great! I tried Estrodiol and it caused swelling of my hands and feet and yeast infections.

thank you.