Menopause :: Hormone Therapy Weight Gain Temporary? Bioidentical Estrogen (estriol)
Dec 13, 2014
My ND recently put me on bio-identical estrogen (estriol) cream and progesterone capsules because I have severe chronic insomnia.
My sleeping has improved a bit, but I immediately gained about 15 pounds (I mean, within a couple of weeks) and I can't get it to budge. Most of it is on my chest and back, which is truly awful, since I have a tiny frame and was busty to begin with.
I keep reading about how the weight gain is temporary, but it's been three months now, and nothing has changed. I eat a low carb diet anyway, and I've always been on the slender side. As I just retired, I'm not in a position to just accept it and buy a whole new wardrobe.
Is this really temporary?
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I am a 54 yr-old who started hormone therapy (estriol gel and oral progesterone) 3 weeks ago. Within 24 hrs, I experienced leg heaviness which worsened over the week. My obgyn said she'd never heard of this side effect. After being off for a week, I've resumed w/the oral progesterone and an estrogen patch. The heavy leg sensation never ceased, but is now back full force. My legs feel leaden! After much research on the internet, I am unclear as to the danger of this side effect, and if it may subside over time.
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Estrogen hormone replacement therapy is now less scary than it was in 2002, and more women like myself are willing to take a second look at it. As I've said, I honestly think it is beneficial for a lot of reasons. I personally use estrogen to help with vaginal dryness, brain fog, short-term memory issues, and to help with insomnia.
I honestly did not realize for many years how helpful it was with these symptoms. Of course, for me, these symptoms didnât really manifest themselves to any significant degree until I reached actual menopause. Once we reach menopause (12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle), our estrogen production in our body has decreased significantly. Hence, vaginal dryness, brain fog, short-term memory issues, and oh, the insomnia!
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I've been on HRT for 2 years. I'm 44 now. I was diagnosed with early menopause. I've gained so much weight around my stomach. Tried patches (that eventually became allergic too) and now on Angeliq tablets. These give me headaches and i can't shift the stomach fat. I eat healthy and walk an hour a day with my dog. Thinking of coming off HRT, Has anyone else decided to ditch the HRT?
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I have read that bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is safer than the standard DRT which is derived from the urine of pregnant horses.
However people interested in this therapy need to be aware that they must still take a version manufactured by a trusted pharmaceutical firm. Apparently there is something going the rounds now where the so-called bio-identical hormones are compounded in a pharmacy. This could be extremely risky, worse than standard HRT. I don't know what countries might be affected, the warning I read was in newsletter originating in the US, so hopefully it isn't even something most of us need to worry about, but thought I should bring up the topic as it has been mentioned a few times lately by those of us interested in finding safe ways to improve our bone density.
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I am 22 years old and was diagnosed with endo when I was 17. I have been on the depo shot for about 3 years now but I hate the way it makes me feel and all the weight I have gained. I can't take estrogen pills because it makes me super sick no matter how low the dose.
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Is it right to have hormone replacement therapy for the cure of Menopause fatigues
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I am 64 and had a hysterectomy 35 years ago. Do i need to stop taking my hormones?
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My 65 yr old brother was diagnosed with PC last December and has been receiving hormone therapy injections since then.
He recently commented that he’d lost about a stone in weight since January and I started worrying. Since doing some research on the net, I’m still worried as I can only find weight gain mentioned as a common side effect of this therapy.
The only mention of weight loss is in connection with other symptoms such as loss of appetite due to sickness, bone pain etc in more advanced cancer. So far he hasn’t had any of those and his only symptoms, apart from a few hot flushes, are an increased need to pee and taking longer to do so. He hasn’t been on a strict diet and, although he’s been more careful in what he eats for several years, he hasn’t been able to shift much weight until now. He still has a healthy appetite.
I don’t know whether we’re worrying unnecessarily or whether he should have a word with the doctor.
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I have had PMR since last March, I have been on Bio-identical Hormones
for about 17 years. I would like to taper the hormone dosage. Is this a bad time to do it since I have PMR? I am 68 years old.
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Been taking elleste 1mg for 4 weeks now, l struggle with my weight at best of times I'm starting to feel constantly bloated and feel I'm putting weight on round my middle. My hot flushes have calmed down my mood swings and sex drive not improved yet am l being to impatient will l gain weight? I go to gym 3/4 times a week and constantly watch what I eat. Can anyone recommend hrt that doesn't give you weight gain please
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I am three weeks post op from a subtotal hysterectomy, removal of both ovaries and removal of a giant ovarian cyst. The cyst was enormous , over 30 cms/11pints, and I was told before my op I would need HRT, but couldn't start until the histology results were back for the cyst. I have now had confirmation that all was benign so need to make some decisions about managing this surgical menopause. I am aware that being thrown into menopause due to ovary removal means I can expect severe symptoms, but so far I have only experienced night sweats. That said early days.
I would like some advice on HRT. I have read about bioidentucal HRT, but don't know if it is just hype. There are also gels, creams, implants, tablets, oestrogen only or combined HRT. I just need to hear what has worked for others. I have no family history of cancer, but I do of heart disease. I myself am healthy but I am about five stone overweight. I would like to protect myself against osteoporosis, that is my main priority I think. I am 47 and had not started the menopause before my op. Any anecdotal advice much appreciated.
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Des anyone still have hot flashes despite use of estrogen?
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I was wondering if some of you can give me your feedback on HRT. My gynecologist would like to put me on Prometrium 100 mg and Estradiol 1 mg. I have not had a period for 10 months and had my hormones checked, I am perimenopausal. I sleep 3 hours a night, hot flashes and anxiety with ache muscles. I am thinking about going on HRT and trying this. Please let me know if anyone is taking what I have been prescribed and how it worked or suggestions on being on HRT and how it changed you from the symptoms I am having. My motivation for life has depleted and I want me back.
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I am 41 and had a full abdominal hysterectomy/oophorectomy in October 2014. Am taking climaval HRT but wondered if it was safe to also take supplements. Does anyone know?
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I am back on my full dose of HRT 1 week and am feeling myself, mentally the cloud has lifted and my energy level is back to normal. However, I now remember one reason why I was trying to wean off, this swelling, bloating and heartburn! Uggh. Any suggestions, lowering the dose seemed to get rid of it all, however, I was an emotional trainwreck! Any one out there with the same problem and found a solution? Drinking lots of water, will keep an eye on the sodium, and no spicy foods, other than that is there anything else? Will talk with my doctor in a few weeks I have a visit scheduled.
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Here are my own observations at week five into LH hormone therapy.
> After a faltering start I settled into three or so mild hot flushes a day with some at night.
> The worst part for me is that shortly after the onset of a flush my memory is impaired and logical thought becomes confused. I could live with the fuzzy feeling in my head if that was all. This impairment lasts about one hour after the flush subsides. So I cannot do much sensible work or play the piano without making a hash of it and frequently forgetting how to continue the piece I am playing.
> I have found the advice to keep cool helpful. So I wear lighter clothes than formerly and try to keep a feeling of being slightly cold. I don't like that but it is better than a flush.
> I have accepted the advice of many that exercise is helpful. Amongst other benefits it is held to assist in limiting hot flushes. So in addition to my afternoon stroll with my wife (I.5 to 2 mph) I now take two brisk walks a week on my own. (3 to 3.5 mph - I used to manage over 4 mph). Again picking up on advice relating to hormone treatment I have added home devised power exercises with chest expander spring and hurrying up and down the stairs six times in succession. Plus, pelvic floor exercises in anticipation of radiotherapy.
> I found that stress, warming exercise excluded, frequently brings on a flush.
DISCOVERY or just something I had missed.
> I have found that if during a flush if I do some exercise that I know from experience will be enough to warm me, when I stop I cool down normally and so cut short the flush. (I must cool down. If I stay warm the flush takes off again within a few minutes.) My flushes normally last about 90 minutes. For me the effective exercising is
>> six times rapidly up and down stairs.
>> five minutes brisk walking
> If I do this exercising within about 60 seconds of the start of the flush I avoid the memory and logic problems. (Any delay and the problems last the usual hour after the end of the exercising / flush. )
Does anyone use a similar "cure" for a flush? Does it work for anyone else?
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Are hormone replacement therapy doctors are doing the job of an endocrinologist, or is it the same, or is there an advantage of one or the other?
Since year 2000, at the age of 50, doctors and blood tests I have told me I have low testosterone?
(at the time I went to an Internal Medicine doctor for low energy and exhaustion and he said testosterone was below 200)
I am looking into finding a doctor that will prescribe something more effective than a 150 mg testosterone cypionate injection 1 x each 2 weeks, that I get from a conservative family MD.
I recently looked into getting help through the Internet for hormone replacement therapy.
At this point, I am not sure what to do.
Does anyone have good solid advise, not strongly influenced by money profit?
I have read some about the side effects, however, can anyone advise me or comment on any of the following medicines recommended for me by the online HRT clinic doctor?
Here is the list:
150mg testosterone cypionate 1 x a week
Anastrozole 0.5 po 2x/week
HCG 500 IU SQ 2x/week
Sermorelin Forte 18mg for GH deficiency
DHEA 5mg
Fish oil 3,000mg
vitamin D3 5,000IU/day with vitamin K2 45 mcg take with fatty healthy food.
This online HRT Clinic cannot use medical insurance, because of the prescriptions.
I have not found any negative feedback on this Clinic, as I have with some others.
At this time, unless something else comes up, I am going to get an appointment with an Endocrinologist.
However, my concern is that doctors will not prescribe medicines and doses of medicines, (medicines that will work for me) that are not approved by the FDA and that are not covered by insurance companies.
Now, I feel exploited by the online HRT MD's, because of the costs, and cut short by regular MD's, because of the FDA laws and the insurance companies.
My other position is (the position some are counting on) to pay whatever it takes to feel better, and I will if I cannot find another solution. I want to increase the quality of life for myself and others, without anymore physical suffering/mistakes, and without anymore financial suffering/mistakes.
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I just had a kidney scan and this time they scanned my bladder as well. The Scanner man asked me was i taking hormones for my prostrate, i said no as i was not. I had a very full bladder at the time, thought i would throw that in. I gets home and Googled hormones and prostate and it said it was a treatment for early stages of prostate cancer ....
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I'm new to hormone therapy and just today started 1 mg estradiol once daily and low dose progesterone. I am 28 and my last blood work shows that my hormones are very low. I have been basically going through menopause..although my cycle had remained somewhat normal until this last month.. I have experienced weight loss.. and I have trouble keeping weight on..mood swings and hot flashes are present..and a General just not feeling well is the biggest complaint I have .. I would like to ask if anyone could explain to me what I can expect from the treatment? What benefits might i see as a result of taking these two medications..
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I have been suffering from severe cramps for several months now. They are so painful I can't move or hardly talk I'm dripping with sweat and feel like I'm going to pass out. I was set up to have the Novasure procedure done, when the doctors office called and said insurance won't cover it till I do 3 months of hormone therapy. I've heard nothing good about the hormone therapy if someone can give me their experiences with it?
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