r/HRT

Hello, I posted about this in another chat but never got any comments so I'm creating a thread to see if anyone noticed the following after starting AND STOPPING hRT:

For reference I'm 41YO/F, fit, 106 lbs before HRT, mom of 2 young kids. I was having terrible insomnia, persistent rage throughout the month but definitely worse right before and after my periods, unmotivated and feeling tired all the time, foggy brain and very emotionally unstable most of the month. My main reason for going on HRT was to control the rage because it was affecting me as a mom.

Treatment: .025 estradiol patch, 100 mg of progesterone for 1 month

Starting: the first three days I had horrible depression symptoms, crying, very unmotivated, and felt like the world was ending. After a week it went away. 3 weeks into it I noticed my stomach and hips looked much "softer", muffin top formed, and it felt like jelly around my waist line (which I never had prior too). My sleep dramatically improved as I began sleeping a solid 8 hrs a night and not having night wakings, my skin started to look better, weight started increasing weekly. After exactly 4 weeks on HRT I quit cold turkey because I had gained 6 lbs and I felt awful (physically) my clothes didn't fit and it was creating anxiety for me. However, it did decrease my rage and emotionally instability in the time I was in it; so it gave me proof that my hormones were to blame for my mood. That was a plus!

After 2 months of being off I still have the weight gain, I workout harder than before, I eat even cleaner, and the weight keeps creeping up. My arms are completely soft and flabby (which I didn't have prior too), the muffin top remains and my hips are bigger as my pants don't fit anymore.

My provider told me it's "fluid distribution" not true weight gain or fat, that HRT doesn't do that. However, it's been 2 months and my weight is only going up, not down, and my muscle now feels and looks like fat. I can't seem to gain any muscle mass or lean out like I used to be able too.

My question is has anyone else had this happen and how long did it take to go back to pre HRT body or is this permanent. My provider said it's not permanent but it may take 3-6 months for my body to go back to its original state.

It may seem superficial to ask, but I'm struggling with this new body and I feel so dismissed by the provider for how I'm feeling. She makes it seem like I'm blowing things out of proportion and that it's fluid weight not fat gain (which I feel like it's the opposite). Looking for some hope !!

Hi guys, in need of some advise please 🙏

I’ll not bore you with intricate details but about 7 months ago I lost my period due to over exercising & probably under fuelling (although it felt like I was defo eating enough but that’s not the point)

I only lost a little bit of weight at the time but I was already healthy weight to begin with tbf (never got to an unhealthy weight either)

Then to try regain my period, I gained this weight back + extra! I massively cut back on all exercise too and still no period. It’s been 6 or 7 months of this.

I want to start HRT mainly because I believe my low estrogen levels are causing depression / severe mood swings. I also have an insatiable appetite & food noise which I never ever had in my life (which is why I assume I was under fuelling at the time without actually realising). Although, I’ve heard low estrogen can cause hunger levels to go through the roof, so I’m praying HRT would help combat the mood & over eating. What do yous think and would yous recommend etc ??

I’ve seen some posts about HRT actually causing rapid weight gain in people & depression, which is why I’m wondering if it would even help with the symptoms? I can’t keep over-eating like this I just want back to normal. The depression is the biggest factor here though, I’ve never had it before and I think it’s directly correlated.

I’m confused as hell, keep seeing so much conflicting info on this.

Any advice/experiences shared would be much appreciated!

Hello, I posted about this in another chat but never got any comments so I'm creating a thread to see if anyone noticed the following after starting AND STOPPING hRT:

For reference I'm 41YO/F, fit, 106 lbs before HRT, mom of 2 young kids. I was having terrible insomnia, persistent rage throughout the month but definitely worse right before and after my periods, unmotivated and feeling tired all the time, foggy brain and very emotionally unstable most of the month. My main reason for going on HRT was to control the rage because it was affecting me as a mom.

Treatment: .025 estradiol patch, 100 mg of progesterone for 1 month

Starting: the first three days I had horrible depression symptoms, crying, very unmotivated, and felt like the world was ending. After a week it went away. 3 weeks into it I noticed my stomach and hips looked much "softer", muffin top formed, and it felt like jelly around my waist line (which I never had prior too). My sleep dramatically improved as I began sleeping a solid 8 hrs a night and not having night wakings, my skin started to look better, weight started increasing weekly. After exactly 4 weeks on HRT I quit cold turkey because I had gained 6 lbs and I felt awful (physically) my clothes didn't fit and it was creating anxiety for me. However, it did decrease my rage and emotionally instability in the time I was in it; so it gave me proof that my hormones were to blame for my mood. That was a plus!

After 2 months of being off I still have the weight gain, I workout harder than before, I eat even cleaner, and the weight keeps creeping up. My arms are completely soft and flabby (which I didn't have prior too), the muffin top remains and my hips are bigger as my pants don't fit anymore.

My provider told me it's "fluid distribution" not true weight gain or fat, that HRT doesn't do that. However, it's been 2 months and my weight is only going up, not down, and my muscle now feels and looks like fat. I can't seem to gain any muscle mass or lean out like I used to be able too.

My question is has anyone else had this happen and how long did it take to go back to pre HRT body or is this permanent. My provider said it's not permanent but it may take 3-6 months for my body to go back to its original state.

It may seem superficial to ask, but I'm struggling with this new body and I feel so dismissed by the provider for how I'm feeling. She makes it seem like I'm blowing things out of proportion and that it's fluid weight not fat gain (which I feel like it's the opposite). Looking for some hope !!

It’s pretty far from me, but planned parenthood doesn’t take my insurance. Do they get started quickly? Are the doctors kind? I have severe anxiety and while I know the campus is big I have more anxiety with speaking 1 on 1 to doctors than big crowds or places. Any doctors I should watch out for? Any that are especially good or bad or fast or slow? Thank you in advance! I’m very anxious about all this. Any doctors thst do informed consent so I can get this done quickly? Thanks in advance!

I’m 4 weeks into HRT est/prog/test for menopause and happened to get two cortisone injections for arthritis in the last week. After the second one two days ago I started experiencing pelvic discomfort. It started on the left by ovaries so I moved my patch to the right side hoping it would help but the pain was then on both sides yesterday so I just took the estrogen patch off completely. This morning I woke with total abdominal discomfort. No bleeding thankfully. just horrible cramps and crying. I thought about going to urgent care but don’t really want to as it’s a Saturday and a holiday, I’d rather ride it out until Monday when my prescribing Gyn office opens. Does anyone have thoughts about the cort. injections combined with HRT causing these cramps?

At the end of January I started HRT for perimenopause symptoms. In March we increased the dosage of both the estrogen and progesterone. In the beginning of June I got my period and it was slightly lighter and longer than usual, about 9-10 days, around day 8 I missed a progesterone pill and 2 days later was late with one. I think started heavier bleeding and it lasted about 6 days like my periods usually do. I went in for an ultrasound and they did an endometrial biopsy to be safe. That came back negative. I got my period again in 25 days later which is normal for me. It was again longer and lighter, 9 days. That night I forgot my progesterone pill again, but took it the next morning, about 10-12 hours late. I had some spotting and light bleeding that day, and now this morning I woke up to a full on period again it seems. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this???!! I’m freaking out!!!

I am scared I’ll be stuck like this, I don’t mind being a pretty boy when I want to but I want to be the woman who’s always been me trapped underneath this skin.

It took me so long because I was afraid of my people disowning me, then it was drug addiction for years, now that I’ve been sober for 4 years, I’m ready. I have always been scared I wouldn’t be pretty, I said screw it, because honestly it’s going to kill me not to, even if I don’t transition good, but I kinda hope I’ll be pretty, that I’ll feel good about it.

My voice is 100 percent woman on command and beautiful, I go to the gym and do targeting fem work outs, I eat healthy and have an amazing skin care routine, I’m doing all the foot work.

Mother God please bless me with your beauty and grace, I will not squander your gift, I will not be an ugly woman inside, but be the light and love you’ve put into my heart over the years. I will be a good woman either way but being touched by your hand giving the gift of beauty and the movement of grace would make me so very thankful. I love you and I trust you and it’s in you mother I pray Amen

Hi,

I heard about progesterone online and now informed myself a bit about its effects. But I haven't heard anything about it from my endocrinologist. (In fact, I've only spoken to the doctor before satrting HRT, then during HRT they took a blood sample once after I asked them if this should be done at some point. I haven't spoken to the doctor since the first time, and just stayed on my prescription.)

I am on Estrogen and Cyproterone Acetate (a T-blocker) for almost two years now and wondered, wether I should ask at the endocrinology about progesterone.

Thank you in advance for your opinions. :)

I’m taking a low amount of Testostetone - was taking 1.5 clicks of compounded T. After a confluence of factors (coming off Spirolact which made me sick, estrogen patch and altitude from travel) I moved down to 1 click and now just half’s a click in last 1.5 weeks. I’m feeling slight nausea throughout day- should i just stay at half click, or would it help me to go up to 1 click over next few days. I start new job on Monday- would love to feel better.

Im on e and doing sub q injections, and for some reason, I screw it up. i started of great, and then it started leaking a bit out. Understandably, this is super disheartening and quite depressing to see it leak out. I've tried various methods, i.e., looking up guides and the likes, and none have worked. I've looped back around to z track on the abdomen as that's what worked last time, but it hasn't this time.

I know safety stuff more than 2 inches of the belly. I've got enough fat to not worry anyway, but that doesn't matter. it's good practice. I also injected and a 90 degree angle if it helps.

Questions

1. What would be the various methods you use, i.e., recommend.

2. Is it normal to have some leaking, and I'm just being paranoid about it all

3. When considering the angle of the needle, is it personal preference, or is it more of a set fact to inject at certain angles for different types of injections

Thank you for any response

I will continue to look at various sources to try and find an angle to my queries<3

Hi! I've been on Testosterone Gel for a few months now, and it's really helping my symptoms! My struggle is that it's kind of a crazy application process. I'm prescribed the gel, but it's technically meant for men. So I'm told to take 1/10th of a little foil packet. Dosing it out is really hard, and I don't feel like I'm getting consistent levels.

Questions:

1. Do you use testosterone gel packets?
2. How do you measure your 1/10th dose?
3. Have you ever switched to compounding because of dosing difficulty?
4. Would you pay $25/$40/$60 for a precision dispenser?

Trying to think about solutions!

Hey all!

I finally was able to start my HRT last Monday, super stoked to finally have been able to take that step!

The doctor gave me 2 pumps of Oestrogel, and 100mg spiro. Now, I know this is not a nothing dose. But from what I can gather, it won’t push me into recommended ranges?

My checkup is in about three months. And I am already nervous, that I am wasting another three months with an ineffective treatment. My dysphoria had me completely paralyzed the past few weeks. And I am really trying to hold on, but I can feel the brainworms coming back already.

Any advice, or experiences anyone wants to share?

i believe it could be good to do it for a bit to try and get some changes, i just don’t know if i really should do it and if it would be a good to start it now since i’m younger.

I'm 44 and started HRT/MHT 6 months ago for perimenopause. Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes/night sweats) weren't part of my symptoms. About 2 weeks after starting, I began having horrendous hot flashes and night sweats. It was so bad that I almost passed out at a concert. I've seen 4 certified menopause specialists and none of them can figure out what's going on. And also, my estradiol is tanking, despite several increases in dosages. As of July 2025 it was 136pg/mL. I know that MHT is treated based on symptoms rather than labs, but we ran my labs to check if there were absorption issues with the delivery method.

Jan 2026: .0375 estradiol patch + 100mg oral micronized progesterone
March 2026: Estradiol labs 76pg/mL
March 2026: .05 estradiol patch + 100mg oral micronized progesterone
April 2026: Estradiol labs 37pg/mL
May 2026: .075 estradiol patch + 200mg oral micronized progesterone
May 2026: Estradiol labs 40pg/mL
June 2026: .1 Femring + 200mg oral micronized progesterone
June 2026: Estradiol labs 18pg/mL (post menopausal range)

The hot flashes improved slightly when I moved from the .0375 to the .05 patch, but not resolved enough for a material quality of life improvement.

I have endometriosis and also only one ovary. I took norethindrone for 8 weeks several years ago to treat my endometriosis pain and it caused such terrible hot flashes that I had to stop it. I tried oral micronized progesterone shortly after that and tolerated it just fine, though it did nothing to help my endometriosis pain.

I'm open to any and all theories to take to my clinicians to try to figure out why MHT is causing hot flashes for me when it resolves hot flashes for everyone else and why my estradiol is tanking despite being on the highest dosage.

Am I not absorbing the estradiol? Do I have progesterone resistance and that's interfering with proper balance of my hormones? I'm at my wit's end with this!

So basically I did a whoopsie today and forgot to force the air out of my injection needle after attaching it, google says that air bubbles in subcutaneous injections aren't life threatening like IV injections, but I just wanna ask here to make sure.

I'm 20 years old and was born without ovaries. When my doctor found this out, I was prescribed hormone replacement therapy, starting at a 0.025 dose of estradiol and eventually working my way up to 0.1, with the plan to start taking progesterone once I started my cycles.

The following is something I know should be shared with a doctor, but I'm unable to bring it up because my mother insists on being present at every appointment and heavily controls my medical care. Even when I manage to go by myself, she continues to introduce herself as me and gains access to my online medical account.

I had been on estradiol for around a year, reaching the 0.0375 dose, when I noticed I had gained about 20 pounds and felt overall puffy and very tired. I wanted to bring this up with my provider, but my mother is very supportive of me becoming overweight because she struggles with weight loss and gets jealous of my body (I am at a healthy weight).

I stopped using the estradiol patches, and over the next six months I lost the 20 pounds, losing 10 pounds in the first two months, and started to feel more like myself. However, I have noticed some hair loss. Is this because stopping or would it be for an unrelated reasonh

I went to the dermatologist, who prescribed me minoxidil and spironolactone. I have been taking the minoxidil for the past four months but have not noticed any improvements. Would taking the spironolactone help, since I know it works by blocking androgens and creating estrogen dominance? But if you had no estrogen to begin with, would it do anything? I wanted to ask this of my dermatologist, but my mother was in the room and I could not mention stopping my HRT since she knows it makes me gain weight and is suspicious about why I have returned to my original weight of 130 pounds.

Has anyone experienced a similar situation and has advice on whether I should start taking my estradiol again?

I know these are ultimately questions for my doctors, and I plan to discuss them as soon as I'm able to do so privately. In the meantime, I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone with similar experiences.