Can hormone replacement therapy make you gain weight?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves supplementing hormones that decline naturally with age. The main hormones replaced are estrogen and progesterone for women, and testosterone for men. HRT can help alleviate unpleasant symptoms of hormone deficiency like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and decreased libido.
However, HRT does come with potential side effects, including possible weight gain. Here's a more in-depth look at how HRT affects weight:

For women
- Estrogen helps regulate fat storage, particularly around the hips and thighs. Declining estrogen during menopause shifts fat storage patterns to accumulate more around the abdomen.
- Progesterone can increase appetite and calorie intake, leading to fat storage.
- Combined HRT with estrogen and progesterone may promote slightly more weight gain compared to estrogen alone. Most studies show average gains of 5-15 pounds over 3-5 years.

However, weight gain extent varies individually based on:

• Age and baseline weight


• Dosages and hormone formulations


• Lifestyle, diet, and exercise


• Genetics and family history

For men
- Testosterone therapy does not seem to directly lead to fat gain.
- However, it can increase muscle mass. This results in an overall weight increase, but doesn’t affect body fat percentage.
- If testosterone is converted into estrogen via aromatase, it may promote abdominal fat storage like it does in women. This effect is highly variable.

In summary, while HRT can contribute to mild weight gain in some people due to fluid retention, fat redistribution, etc., the extent varies between individuals. Lifestyle choices remain the main determinant of significant weight changes.

Mitigating HRT-Associated Weight Gain

Here are some tips to prevent or minimize potential weight gain from HRT:

• Maintain a healthy diet low in processed foods


• Exercise regularly - aim for 150-300 minutes per week


• Try alternative hormone options like bioidentical hormones, gels, or patches


• Adjust dosages if weight gain becomes bothersome


• Schedule regular follow-ups to monitor hormone and weight changes

At HormoVital(), our clinicians specialize in HRT regimens that best fit your health needs and lifestyle to help you feel your absolute best, while avoiding unpleasant side effects. Contact us today to learn more!