Will I Gain Weight During Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Patients experiencing signs of hormone imbalances, especially those in their 30s experiencing signs of early menopause or andropause, may consider hormone level testing at Dallas Cosmetic Center in Dallas, TX. Board-certified gynecologist and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Otto Huertas has expertise in treating patients of all ages and helping them understand the causes and treatments of hormonal imbalances.

Individuals considering hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as an option to balance hormones are often concerned about gaining weight on HRT. However, while some patients experience water retention in the first months of treatment, long-term weight gain is not a side effect of HRT.

Below, we’ll look at how to address your body’s hormonal needs and improve your quality of life without letting a fear of weight gain hold you back.

What does hormone replacement therapy do?

Dr. Huertas specializes in personalized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy treatment plans for men and women. This treatment can help improve many of the symptoms of imbalanced hormones, resulting in:

• More energy

• Improved sex drive and enjoyment

• Enhanced concentration and mood

• Reducing hair loss

• More ease in building muscle mass

• Weight loss and an increased ability to burn fat

Does HRT make you gain weight?

Changes in estrogen levels, progesterone, testosterone, and many other hormones affect how our bodies gain and retain weight. It is also normal to gain weight as we age and gain more stubborn weight in our midsections. However, this is more commonly a result of decreased activity or hormone imbalances, which need to be treated.

Weight gain can lead to significant health problems, including heart disease. But while there has been no research to show that hormone replacement therapy leads to weight gain, some patients still fear it or attempt to find alternatives that simply do not work to rebalance hormones. In fact, fear of weight gain often leads patients to be noncompliant with medical plans, leading to more health problems that can include further weight gain.

Hormonal balance is an important factor in helping to balance metabolism, which helps us lose or maintain weight when we eat a healthy diet and exercise.

Can I lose weight with HRT?

There is also no direct connection between HRT and weight loss. However, balanced hormones will allow your body to regulate the metabolism and may make it easier to lose weight if you’re operating at a calorie deficit. In other words, it will help your body work the way it should so that weight loss won’t be as difficult.

Occasionally, patients gain weight at the beginning of HRT as their hormones get regulated. But this side effect generally subsides within weeks. And while some patients report losing weight with HRT, that’s because the work they were already doing to eat a healthy diet and get exercise can finally pay off.

Currently, research shows that there’s no correlation between HRT therapy itself and weight. So, there’s no reason to fear a treatment that can significantly improve your quality of life.

Of course, not everyone is a candidate for HRT. That’s why it’s crucial to see a doctor to discuss your medical history.

Get hormone replacement therapy in Dallas, TX

Board-certified gynecologist and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Otto Huertas is an expert in hormone replacement therapy and can help you fully understand fluctuating hormone levels and their effects on your body.

If you’d like to get started on the road to better health by undergoing hormone level testing, now’s the time to schedule a consultation at Dallas Cosmetic Center with Dr. Huertas in Dallas, TX.