Question:
Need info on hormones and weight gain

Hi all. I know this is a little bit off topic but still involves weight issues. 7 weeks ago I had to have my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed (uterous was long gone). This brings on instant menopause. Anyway, we initially tried not to use hormones but I spent so much time crying that my poor husband dragged me back to the doctor and she put me on Premarin. It has made a WORLD of difference. I see that the side effects include weight gain. However, I haven't gained weight but I stay unbelievably bloated all the time. My pants don't even fit any more. It's miserable. I don't want to switch to an over the counter product as I feel it won't be as effective. Has anyone else had this problem? What did you do? Does the bloating go away?    — ronascott (posted on May 1, 2003)

May 1, 2003
You might want to increase your water intake but if that is not the problem, look into the different estrogens available. I had to try a few different estrogens before I found one that I was comfortable with (relieved symptoms with few side effects). I don't get bloating with mine but my weight loss is probably slower than others. I don't know if this is HRT related or not. You might want to research more "natural" estrogens than Premarin. If you to to www.menopause-online.com you can find a lot of information on the message boards. I learned a great deal about hormones reading this message board and was able to ask my dr for a specific estrogen. While the site bills itself as an herbal bulletin board I think it is more fitting to call it natural because they promote taking HRT that is closest to what your own body produces. The women on the hormone board are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Good luck!!
   — susanje

May 1, 2003
Hi, I had both of my ovaries removed, one in '93 and the other in '00, due to cysts. I was put on Prempro in '00 to deal with the menopause issue. This past January I weaned off the Prempro as per a discussion with my ob-gyn, as I had heard so much about HRT and it's negative effects. I was a real !@#$%^&##@@$$% to my family for awhile, but when I realized it I was able to control myself. This was at my highest weight. It's hard to tell if the Prempro caused the weight gain. I had been steadily gaining for about 14 years, and it continued after I went on the medication. I had my Lap RNY a month and a half after I was off of it completely. Hard to give you an answer. I am now taking something called Evista, which supposedly addresses many of the issues that HRT deals with except the hot flashes, which have been managable for me. Good luck! P.S. My husband says I'm still a !@#$%^ at times---Oh well!!!!
   — Fixnmyself

May 2, 2003
I'll be 3 years out in August and WAS at my own personal goal. I started on the birth control patch and over the past 2 months, gained 9 lbs. I do remember that in my younger years that whenever I'd start back up on birth control that I'd gain about 10 lbs. Is it my eating or the birth control? I don't know, but just watch your weight and take care of small weight gains immediately by diet and exercise. Don't let 2 little seemingly-insignificant lbs. turn in to 10 lbs., then turn in to 20 lbs. etc. I believe that's how all of us got to the point of being obese in the first place. A few lbs. here and a few pounds there got us into plus-size clothing! Good luck to you.
   — Lynette B.