I want to dive into a topic that we’re finally talking about openly: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). And its potential link to weight and body fat percentage during menopause.
Being a woman over 40, I often get questions about whether you need to take HRT for weight loss. Let’s break it down by exploring the science, sharing my personal journey, and discussing the anecdotal evidence shared by amazing women like you.
Firstly, let me make this clear — you don’t need HRT for weight loss. In my own experience, having competed in multiple body building shows without HRT (no estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone), I achieved my fitness goals.
Scientific studies suggest there is no clear link between weight gain or loss and HRT. However, my personal journey contradicts this. Upon starting estrogen patches a few months after my 2021 show, I experienced initial weight gain (around five pounds). However, with a dedicated approach to diet and exercise, I managed to shed this weight, possibly linked to water retention.
I firmly believe that HRT isn’t a tool for weight loss. It should address severe menopause symptoms impacting your quality of life. Symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, depression, and fatigue are reasons to consider HRT. When you’re weighing up whether to take HRT, always consult a qualified medical practitioner. Initially, my general practitioner’s advice was poor. But I then contacted a great menopause clinic who got me on the correct dosage and switched me over to Estrogen gel rather than patches. Correcting hormone dosages (estrogen), and getting me on progesterone and testosterone made a huge difference to increasing my energy levels (they were on the floor), addressing night sweats and improving my anxiety.
But as Hazel Hayden, my practitioner said it is not a ‘panacea’ and HRT is not going to make you feel like a 20 year old again! But it was definitely worth the investment and I am going to continue to take HRT for the foreseeable future.
One other HUGE benefit is HRT can prevent osteoporosis. But do remember that although all the negative press that HRT received because of a flawed study around the risk of cancer has been disproven; there are some risks around a slightly increased risk of breast cancer, blood clots and strokes. So that’s why it is important to seek advice from a medical practitioner.
That being said, HRT, if managed well, can boost energy levels and reduce, if not eliminate many menopause symptoms. This may result in more energy and motivation to workout. While some women can report initial weight gain, often water retention, consistency with nutrition and exercise can lead to positive outcomes. Everyone’s experience with HRT differs. Remember, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Nothing replaces the fundamentals: a sound nutrition plan and the right exercise regimen.