I feel like Breast and Buddha Belly  Queen here....since starting HRT in March (Prometrium 100mg andEstradiol .5mg) my stomach and breasts have gainedsignificant size.  My stomach changes day to day from being reasonable to looking about 4 months pregnant.  On the up side, my  shoe size has stayed the same.  Not that I can actually see my feet, but I can feel my way into them!  :)

I am disgusted by the breast size...I'm talking large here.  It's totally embarrassing; not to mention being extremely uncomfortable and leaving marks in my shoulders.  I'm considering breast reduction but wonder if going off HRT would help reduce them.  

The only good thing that has come from this is that my daughter has seen the discomfort and problems I'm having and now appreciates having "smaller" breasts.

Is this something that has effected others using HRT?

i was on a low dose bc pill for 2 weeks a couple of months ago..to regulate perimen. periods..they made me really sick..so had to stop..but i know that breast size thing..i think i only looked a little bigger but....i felt like Dolly Parton size..just huge ...after a week of stopping that feeling (and pain) went away..

Hi:

When I started HRT my doctor told me I might notice an increase in weight, which I have done but then I would gradually normalize) and from then on, it's a question of maintenance.

Sandy:  It sounds to me a case of bloating and I think the way our bodies respond to HRT varies so much, perhaps your doctor could change your dosis or find some other alternative - I take bio-identical estrogen - don't know whether that makes any difference.

I understand how it must feel distressing, but there must be some way of getting round this.

Best of luck with that and I hope that you can find something to help you - let us know - :smile:

Barbiexxxxxxx

I have a quick question?? Does taking straight estrogen cause weight gain??We had this discussion at work today. My friend has gained alot of weight since she starting taking it and swears it is from the estrogen..Some say no?Any ideas? thanks Pudge

Hi Pudge...  I have read many posts here at PS where women have said that estrogen has caused weight gain.  I have not had that problem myself, though, which is a miracle in itself.... everything usually makes me gain weight!  :(

I've been on HRT for over 10 yrs now.  The reason I went on it was for arthritis in joints all over my body after menopause.  AFter going on it, alot of it dissipated.  I couldn't even lift a grocery bag.  It felt like my joints were on hinges.  It's probably rare.Yes, you do put weight on.  And you kind of get use to it.  I never lost it.  I also put weight on from Prozac.  So I'm like 20# over what I use to be back in my 40's.Personally for me I have to choose from the worst of two evils: a chance of breast cancer or feeling 80 years old from the arthritis in all joints.  So I'm taking my chances.  But life is one big chance.No breast cancer--knock on wood.

Hi, rawas - welcome to Power Surge!  I'm curious why you took HRT for arthritis rather than one of the many arthritis meds that are now available.

Since I was first diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my early 30s, there have been major advances in meds.  The first drugs that were tried have long since become OTC, and newer ones have come along to take their place.

I've been allergic to many of the newer ones - or they didn't work - but I have found one that works well consistently for me.  When things seem to be a little stiffer, more painful, I add in some glucosamine/chondroiten and that helps too.

The increased risk of breast cancer is what caused me to go off HRT 4.5 years ago...and the one I took didn't even help my joints at all.

You're the first person who I've seen mention HRT for this reason.  Did your doctor suggest this for you?  If so, I'm curious as to why HRT was chosen instead of an arthritis med.

Anyway, I'm glad that it helped you.  Arthritis is the pits