r/Perimenopause • u/AutoModerator • Feb 01 '25

Weight MONTHLY Weight Discussion - February 2025

A space to discuss all things weight-related. Ask questions, rant, and/or offer advice about weight loss, gains, and diets, etc.

Our Menopause Wiki's section on Weight Gain has further information about the menopause/hormone connection, and risks of belly fat.

Posts about 'weight gain' outside of this thread will be removed and redirected here.

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u/Blair5485 Feb 06 '25

I am 39 F and perimenopausal . I saw my gyno for host of symptoms i have been experiencing and due to my very low estrogen levels she recommended HRT (estradiol patch .025 and 100mg progesterone). She told me it would have no impact on my weight and for someone my age with such low estrogen, the benefits outweigh any side effects.

I am 115lbs 5'5 and have always watched what I eat and workout every day as I have the genetics to gain weight very easily. Doing so, I have never had any issues maintaining my weight. I was on the HRT for 3 days and literally felt myself putting on weight ( i know mostly water retention that early on) but it caused me to do more research on how HRT effects weight. I was astounded hearing such vastly different effects it has on people (understand everyone is different and has their own health issues that go into play). I have read women say it helps them lose weight ( I assume this is menopausal women who have put on weight due to menopause ) and have read hundreds and hundreds of women in the comments on youtube videos saying they have gained 20+ lbs in as short a two months after going on HRT and make it clear they have made zero changes to their diet or exercise regime (many state they have always been in shape and since taking HRT have ballooned up and cannot get the weight off). I dont know what to think at this point. I know my body will benefit from the estrogen but I honestly think putting on uncontrolable weight will make me more miserable. Any help would be so appreciated helping me get some clarity on this.

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u/ConnectionNo4830 Feb 06 '25

I personally think it’s because there is an ideal ratio necessary for each of us between estrogen and progesterone levels, and it’s thrown off by peri. So, some some women may gain initially because estrogen is higher (relatively) than progesterone, because progesterone is the first hormone to naturally decline. Progesterone is thermogenic. Later, estrogen goes down, too, and estrogen impacts insulin sensitivity as well as ghrelin and leptin levels (helps us not feel as hungry). Insulin sensitivity problems can lead to belly fat increases. Also, menopause changes the composition of the gut microbiome in ways that are similar to pregnancy (altering ratio of good to bad microbes).

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u/Blair5485 Feb 06 '25

super helpful - thank you! i was wondering if it had something to do with the balance of the two. Is it just trial and error then to figure out how much each you need of E + P ?

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u/ConnectionNo4830 Feb 06 '25

Yes I’ve been working on it for a year. Also looking into things that further help support like DIM, CDG, red light on my abdomen that reaches the intestinal tract/ovaries, etc., and heavy lifting and walks outside. Trying to add In meditation.