Does hormone teatment = weight gain?

[BABYCAKES]

Hi!
Started diet about 3wks ago. I am thru with meno. But I take a BIO-IDENTICAL hormone teatment that is called "THE WILEY PROTOCOL. It replaces missing hormones NATURALLY. And even if I am no longer having a period, my body thinks I am. So 3wks into I gained 3lbs back of the 6lbs lost. It is discouraging, to say the least. Only hope it is just water gain. Any comments? Thax
BABYCAKES

[Elizellen]

Re: Does hormone teatment = weight gain?

Hi Babycakes Welcome to ADBB

I have no experience of hormone treatments but noticed your post at the end of another one and have moved it into its own thread so it will hopefully get some useful responses

[ShaGio]

Re: Does hormone teatment = weight gain?

Hi BabyCakes,
I did Bio-Identical HRT for 4 years and during that time gained 30 lbs. My doctor told me that it was a well known problem. The one thing that I found was that even though the HRT took away all my Meno symptoms, I was always swollen. Hands, feet, legs, face. I even had symptons of athritis in my hand and knees. I finally just decided to go with out and I feel so much physically better. All the bloating is gone and I no longer have athritis like pain.
I went thru surgical menopause so it is usually much more acute than natural meno, but one thing I have been told is that no matter what age and how long you do HRT, you will eventually have to deal with the symptoms until your body natuarally adjusts. And it does eventually adjust to the loss of the natural hormones. (God I hope so)
Of course losing weight is a bit more difficult and I find I have to exercise much more than I used to just to lose a lb, but I feel as if my body is finally starting to feel like it used to.
There is a great web-site that answers all questions about HRT and Meno called Hystersisters.com It really helped me thru it.
Good luck and keep at it, it really works!

[BABYCAKES]

Re: Does hormone teatment = weight gain?

Hi!
I am on the WILEY PROTOCOL. It uses syringes to dispense bothe estrogen & progesterone. The process is quite interesting. It is administered in the same amounts as when you were younger. I too had surgical meno. 15 yrs. ago. So I went thru most symptoms already. My Dr. has assured me I would feel better & more energetic which I do. I did some research on my own & discovered that the reason for the water gain is my body thinks it is still going to have a period. When it doesn't come, the water will be flushed out. Already today, I've experienced a lot of that. I will weigh myself again when the scale & I can come to terms again. Thanks for replying & glad you feel better without. Just goes to show you that the saying "everyone's body reacts different" is true. I'm stickin' with it with ya!
BABYCAKES {JANE from DIGHTON, MA.)

[MarkTaylor]

Re: Does hormone teatment = weight gain?

No it is not really true.

[BABYCAKES]

Re: Does hormone teatment = weight gain?

Hi Mark! Could you give me a little more insight to your answer? Are you reffering to Human Growth Hormones? My Dr. who is an N.D. is also M.D. Atho he beleives in treating naturally 1st. I asked him about HGH & apparently he thinks it very expensive & geared for the more muscle -bound. My hormones are identical to a woman in her 30's. I feel lots better concerning well-being, I just was not prepared for the pre-mentrual water gain that we women get 1wk. before. In fact it never crossed my mind. Now I get it! Are we on the same page or would you like to enlighten me to something further? Thank You for replying.
BABYCAKES

[ShaGio]

Re: Does hormone teatment = weight gain?

Hi BabyCakes,
I too would like to be "enlightened" on Mark's answer. I've tried quite a few HRTs and my Dr. thinks I'm just very sensitive to Estrogen natural or otherwise. As you said everyone's body reacts differently. I have friends who do great on it and other friends who have completely different reactions.
BTW I'm in Lakeville. We're neighbors!

[BABYCAKES]

Re: Does hormone teatment = weight gain?

Howdy Neighbor! Good to have a close low-carb companion. Nice to meet you! I don't know if you checked out the Wiley Protocol. Her book id entitled "Sex,Lies,&menopause". Very interesting. It is beleived that Estrgen is the culprit but, researchers have discovered the need for balance & even if you are a younger woman & still producing your own hormones there could still be an unbalance if you experience negative symptoms. Ex. endometriosis (which is what I had) was probably an over abundance of Estrogen & not enough of the Progesterone. This info was unavailable at the time of my surgical hyster.. My Dr. is very knowledgable on currant issues. I also am on an identical Thyroid med. These identical hormones MUST be made at a compouding pharmacy which can be a challege to find. As my Physician is in Prov.R.I., I use a pharmacy in Saunderstown & they deliver right to doorstep. Anyway, I have been very impressed with the results. I need to lose about 30lbs. Never been this weight in my life & it's extremely uncomfortable. Thanks for the reply & the listen. Hope Mark can shed us a little light on his "brief comment.
Your Neighbor, BABYCAKES

[ShaGio]

Re: Does hormone teatment = weight gain?

I gave up on the whole HRT thing. I just never felt "good". There is a compounding pharmacy in Attleboro that I used and they were very helpful and close enough to drive to.
Are you finding it more difficult to lose on the HRT? I felt like I was running into a brickwall no matter what diet I tried
It has only since I started Atkins that I have actually made progress. My body Cannot handle carbs. Everytime I start to try the rungs I gain a pound. But I keep trying. I think sodium has a lot to do with it too. Cheese may be the culprit. I keep saying I'm not going to eat it today but it just tastes so good, And I'm not even overeating it! I've got to try a week without it.
Anyway .....I'm glad the bio-identicals are working for you (as I sit here hot flashing!) The human body is so weird! You'd think I would lose weight from all this sweating!

[Elizellen]

Re: Does hormone teatment = weight gain?

Hope Mark can shed us a little light on his "brief comment.

I could be wrong but I suspect he was a 'drive by spammer' trying to get people to visit his commercial website.

[BABYCAKES]

Re: Does hormone teatment = weight gain?

Hi, Sorry I took a while to reply. Yes, I feel like I,m shoveling "you know what" against the tide. Never was able to stick to any diet, but this one is easiest for me because I never cared for fruit, unless it was in season which leaves us in New England rather limited. Also not one for veggies. If Mom didn't like it nobody got it. Sort of anupbringing thing. My Brother is the same way. In fact, pizza "we all know can be fattening", wasn't even a word at home. Did not try one til I left home & Boy did that taste good! I was hooked. As far as more difficulty on HRT, I think better results would happen if I JUST DIDN"T CHEAT! Downfall? Out to dinner with a "few" glasses of vino. That's one of the problems. But, I tell you what, I FEEL so much better cutting the carbs, like you said extremely sensitive to them. They leave you wanting more & if you drink on top of that, self-control is out of hand leaving you "incredibly" guilty. I'll just plug along & when I fall, I will get right back up!
BABY CAKES (JANE)