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!

For the next two weeks, pls

Delivered my baby at 33. After I stopped breastfeeding, I started taking Spironolactone for awhile and got period every 2 weeks. Stopped Spironolactone, and I can't remember exactly when, I started getting headaches before my period, which I didn't have before. My periods have also gotten much lighter and shorter, it used to last about 6 days, with 2 days of heaving bleeding, and clots coming out. Then it became 4-5 days. I've started taking estrogen 2mg orally every day for a few months now.. since then My periods became much lighter and shorter, with barely any clots about 3-4 days now, with 2 days of moderate bleeding.

Now here's the thing, I've tried taking vaginal progesterone after ovulation, but it seems to make my hair fall out. I have an uterus. Does anyone take estrogen without progesterone here at all? I've read before that progesterone needs to be added to estrogen for women with an uterus to prevent endometrial hyperplasia.

Hi fellow travellers in this mad and confusing time,

I wonder if anyone had any thoughts/ experience with this...

I'm 49, perimenopausal and been on HRT (Mirena plus oestrogel and estriol cream) quite happily for 4 years. I'm still having periods. I have background endometriosis which I think contributed to heavier periods even while having the Mirena. Progesterone orally or vaginally didn't work for me as it leads to such severe constipation.

Gynae did scans to try to see the reason for the very frequent bleeding despite Mirena, and said the womb lining was actually at a normal thickness, so it can't be that. She suggested adjusting HRT.

I noticed that my breasts were constantly feeling hard and painful, so suspected the oestrogen had become too high at my usual dose of 2 pumps.

I've since lowered my oestrogel to one pump (Mirena still in), and am just surprised that I'm feeling ok on that. Breasts immediately stopped hurting. Previously I would immediately go to hot flashes and night sweats if I lowered the dose, so wondered is it now that I need less oestrogen? Why would that be, given I'm further towards menopause?

Has anyone else noticed feeling better on a decrease to half the usual dose? I'm obviously going to watch out in case it doesn't work longer term, but really curious as to why half a dose would feel better given I must be producing less oestrogen myself by this age.

Am feeling by turns 🙃🧐🤨🤔🥴🤠- if anyone has any thoughts I'd love to hear them - thanks in advance!

What is an optimal estrogen level? Like what should I be hoping for? I just got my labs done and I don’t have my results back yet but I’m 51 years old and I just want to know at what level do most people feel is a good spot to be at? I know it’s different for everyone but I just want a general idea, like above 100 above 150? I’m
On the .1 patch and I haven’t done any labs since March so I will find out my results sometime next week

My doctor has given me the choice between doing gel estradiol or injections. I think I am more inclined to do the injection since I will be doing that testosterone that way as well, but I am also afraid because I don’t see a lot of women doing it that method. The only thing that I find online is for transgender. Also, I am seeing that the injections tend to be a higher risk.

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.

My T is low. I have been on every dose and I get the same side effects and I think I am just done with it. I have been on injections and creams. Everytime my hrv drops, I don’t sleep well, it drops my ferritin, I feel swollen and have palpatation. I am only doing 0.20 mg of. 1 ml/mg cream. Does anyone do a small dose every few days? I’m at all loss and not sure what to do. My doctor said let do a very small dose and see how you do that is why I’m only on 0.20 at this time. What are we missing?

41 years old. New to HRT.

I want both relief from my heavy and painful periods, as well as relief from perimenopause symptoms like sleep issues and anxiety.

My doctor indicated I can only choose one.

She said progestin could help make my periods lighter and possibly less painful, but won’t help with anxiety or sleep.

And she said that progesterone could help with anxiety, sleep, and mood…but that it likely wouldn’t make my periods any more bearable. In fact, she said it might even make them worse 😳

I can’t decide which to try. Thoughts? Wisdom? Help!

I am a 62 year old post menopausal female, height 5’ 8”, weight 175. I have been on HRT for 2 years with no issues at the lowest doses. Last week I picked up my patches from the pharmacy and the brand changed from Lillyana to Mylan. Ever since then I have been extremely anxious and emotional. Anyone else have this problem? Thanks

5-year-old female endurance athlete. In May, I completed a half marathon in 1:56. On May 18, my GYN took me off Lo Loestrin after seven years without a transition. About three weeks later, my blood pressure and heart rate became irregular, especially during exercise.  I would get occasional blood pressure readings around 137/78.  An easy run which should be 150 HR was 170HR and I felt like crap.

 

I reached out to my primary as my GYN was not so nice about the situation. On June 12, my primary care provider started me on 0.5 mg of estradiol, and I felt better within three days. However, my heart rate and blood pressure are still taking time to stabilize. I’ve continued training but am avoiding zones 4 and 5 when possible, trying to give this medicine about a month to take full effect.

 

Currently, I feel somewhat sensitive (mentally so I notice it physically) to these changes. For example, I ran 7.5 miles this morning with an average heart rate of 150. An hour and a half later, my heart rate is still struggling to stay under 80, although I had just sat down after doing chores. When I stand, it increases to 100–110. My blood pressure readings 90 minutes after the run was 113/79 and 105/77, which is reassuring.  But the heart rate was 80BP. 

Maybe an hour later I went to throw some dishes in the dishwasher and my HR went from 75 to 80 then jumped to 111 then back to 80. Part of me thinks it's the watch as it got stuck at 109. I didn't even know this was happening until I looked at the damn watch. Fortunately, since I've been working my HR is 64 to 75. I don't feel bad at all; no dizziness, chest pain.

My guess with the HR is I am starting to pick up my training distance wise and that I probably need about another week for the medicine.  My husband says I am being TOO cautious. Not to mention he is ready to shove my watch up my a$$ cause I am overly focused on it.  I don’t know the answer, because there isn’t a lot of guidance on athletes and estrogen transition.

 

Overall, I feel pretty good—no headache, dizziness, or chest pressure. And this is way better than when I was just taken off of it abruptly.

 

Has anyone else gone through this?  Or any thoughts on how I can navigate this better?

So I accidentally fucked up my hormones and have been running on nothing(except spiro and finasteride) since stopping my patches(see my previous post). I had two years of progress. Since I am getting firsthand info on what it's like I thought I'd share.

Here's what changed:

My penis got bigger and spontaneous erections returned. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me but now I understand that this is what was happening.

My face skin is a little more oily and not as smooth as it was. Sad but not as bad as it was pre-transition.

I think my facial and stomach fat have shifted slightly.

It is harder to cry again

I don't get that full body yearning when I'm aroused. I miss it, I feel totally bored, sexually.

My legs are less plump.

What didn't change:

My boobs are still big

I still have a bit of a waist

My pelvic tilt is still there

My hair is pretty

My butt is still kinda plump

I still have fat on my hips

My skin is pretty soft

I don't have boy smell but I don't smell like a girl either. I smell like nothing.

Anyway I hope my body reboots quickly. I've officially started injections today.

Please, I’m begging you not to delete my post. I know I’ve posted a lot here, but I’m really struggling and I need support.
I’m 40, in perimenopause, living in immigration, and I feel completely broken right now.

My original symptoms were:
mid-cycle spotting for about 1.5 years
night sweats
mild anxiety, but nothing like now

I started HRT with 2 pumps of Estrogel and 200 mg micronised progesterone cyclically. I didn’t feel any major mental health improvement, but I was not in crisis.

Then I increased Estrogel to 3 pumps — honestly, there was no strong clear reason for this — and the very next day I felt like I almost lost my mind.

Since then I’ve had:
nonstop anxiety
obsessive thoughts
two panic attacks in one month
strange new fears/phobias
pressure/bloated headaches
feeling like I don’t recognise myself

My doctor advised reducing Estrogel from 3 pumps to 2, and now to 1, but I still don’t feel better. I even started antidepressants, but I’m still in a terrible state.

I know hormone testing in perimenopause/on HRT is controversial, but my blood estradiol was always quite high, and my Mira urine monitor also shows high estrogen and not low, but unstable progesterone.
After reading many posts here, I’m wondering if too much estrogen could be causing this level of anxiety for me.

Has anyone started HRT with estrogen and then had to stop or significantly reduce it because of severe anxiety/panic/obsessive thoughts?

I feel like I’ve been in this nightmare for 1.5 months and I’m honestly on the edge of quitting estrogen completely. I know I’m under a doctor’s care, but it still feels like trial and error, and I’ve never felt this bad in my life.
I just need support and to hear if anyone else has been through something similar.

I know the medical community says vaginsl estradiol stays local, but I am sooo sensitive and believe I feel a bit more focused on it. Also, w half a .025 patch and Estradiol I was feeling nauseous and depressed. Without patch I was noticing when my 2nd weekly application came due. Also, I took it in an and felt slightly nauseous - will only do pm. Is anyone else noticing hypersensitivity??

I’m two days from stopping my 14 day cycle of 200mg progesterone and my period has already come.

This the first month I’ve started taking HRT ( regular cycles, taking for Peri) so I assume it’s just my body getting used to it.

Anyone else had this? I’d assumed my period would alter to fit within the cycle of progesterone and come when I stop in 2 days?

I am new to starting vaginal estradiol and progesterone cream (prescribed HRT). It's been 4 weeks and I've heard it can take months to feel better. Hoping to hear/learn from others how HRT helped your sleep and/or energy level. Was estradiol and progesterone enough for some of you, or did you not notice improvement until testosterone was added?

A week ago, I took my first progesterone pill (200 mg) before bed. I woke up with blurred vision as well three new pounds (I’m currently trying very hard to decrease size for my daughter’s wedding in 5 weeks).

I stopped the progesterone for now and did three days of estradiol gel 0.5 and then stopped that too deciding now may not be the time for a big change since losing weight is so challenging for me (age 50 and Hashimotos.)

Today? A regular period started! Bled through, the whole thing! I’ve gone 8 months plus without a period and have ZERO hormones in my labs. I don’t even register for Pro or Est but have moderate T, hence the prescriptions.

Please explain if you can and have experience with this. Also-what now? Should go back on them?

Anyone using vaginal creams that have estradiol and progesterone? (not microdose, but systemic amounts).