Hey everyone, just wondering about weight gain with P?I have been under a certain weight for EVER. And, lately I have been eating healthier, lighter, trying to do better. I have been drinking more water & walking for 45 minutes almost every day ( i think I miss 1-2 days out of a week). I have actually gained weight & my weight will not budge at all??I don't have a uterus, and I no there are different views of needing it if you have a uterus or not?I just can't handle this weight gain!!
Anything anyone can tell me will be great!Did the P make you gain weight???
Thank you!
Amber

you probably converted some fat into muscle , which weighs more, but is better in the long run, id give it more time - good luck

yes, I gained some weight on P. Mostly I just couldn't lose weight... I finally stopped the P and am only on Vivelle Dot. After a couple months without the P, I am finally losing a little weight. Everyone is different though.

Happymom

I think NC53215 is right, you gain muscle, I have noticed that myself. I've been on the progesterone cream
for 2 months now, not gaining but not losing. I notice I have more muscle coming back though.

I bet it is P more than muscle gain. If you gained muscles, you will see inches lost. Walking is a good exercise but I hardly see it can build much muscle. What walking can do, is to tone your lower body, and lose weight if you power walk or brisk walk.
I think it is progesterone to blame, if you have no uterus, try to taper it off and see if you start losing weight.

I am on progesterone and I can't lose weight either. Good news is that I am not gaining either. I would like to lose about 15 pounds but have convinced myself that if I just maintain what I have without packing more on I will be happy.

Oh this topic gets me down. I've been on Progesterone (Prometrium) for 10 months now for 14 days a month. I've gained 25lbs since starting the bios. I was wondering why I keep making bad choices even when I'm not on the Prometrium cycle. Some say to just do Estradiol and cycle in the P every 3 months; then others say the P makes all the difference in well being.

I'd like to lose this weight and I was thinking of doing the P only because a lot of research says that during perimenopause we are mostly P deficient b/c our fat cells, food, and other environmental issues cause us to keep producing E. Apparently your body will always have some E on board for the rest of your life, but very little P because there will no eggs left.

Is this right? I'm still using the Prometrium and also the Estrogel but I'm not sure what is going on.

Then again I have a bit of a thyroid issue. I have been taking 90mg of Armour for awhile now, but I'm still cold, dry skin, tired, depressed, etc. And today my doctor said my Revert T3 was very high. Now I read that high Reverse T3 keeps the active T3 hormone from getting into the cells. Maybe I've had this all along??? And maybe this is causing my bios not to work properly???

I'm so tired of trying to get better.

For ladies having weight issues on the P, maybe check all your thyroid levels: Free T3, Free T4, TSH, and Reverse T3. I'd be interested to see what your levels are. Maybe there is some link there with thyroid levels being off and then taking P or E while having the other problem???

I agree, it's so frustrating trying to figure it all out. IMHO, (and what do I know?) the weight gain from P and the weight gain from thyroid would be separate issues. Weight gain from P happens because of the incessant need to eat whereas gain from thyroid has to do with the way your body metabolizes what you eat.

I'm pretty sure I have a low acting thyroid. I've had blood results show it is in normal range but I've looked at some of my past results and I don't see anything for T3. I'm going to ask my doctor to run them for me at next visit. I have very similar symptoms as you, cold, tired and the typical 25# weight gain that won't budge. While I would like to know if this is a problem for me, I'm not sure I want to lose the 25# enough to take another pill unless it would also make me feel better. I don't know why that is, I just hate the idea of taking thyroid meds... just a cowardly personal issue, not to influence you in any way.

I looked up the other med that you mentioned. It should resolve any weight issues you have. From what I read, many bodybuilders take it to maintain their healthy appetites while being able to lose fat. It sounds almost too good to be true and certainly does tempt but ..again I hate pills. Although, I'm now taking the estrace in pill form and I LIKE it! It is making a world of difference. The estrogel helped with some symptoms but the Estrace is making me feel like a woman again. My libido is returning (of course I'm also taking the vaginal P this week and wonder if some of my 'I Feel Good!" is also coming from that). It's all so crazy.

Good luck and keep us updated on what you decide so we can learn...

Hi guys,

I do not want to hijack this thread corky, but just wanted to ask you carol how things are going with the vaginal P. I am so glad to hear you are still happy with the Estrace (how much are you taking now?). Very curious about the P (what type are you using??).
Maybe this would be something for you to consider corky? I am still thinking about making the switch myself.

Cathy

Hey Amber...this really helps me....

..try upping your protein intake. Have protein for breakfast...2 eggs & some veggies. If you are still hungry add more protein...cottage cheese...steak...or etc...even a protein shake. Cut out all bread and limit your carbs somewhat. Get a plate of veggies going in the refrig and protein snacks ready to go. You don't have to diet if you will up your protein. At every meal eat the protein first, then veggies...and then whatever you want. This will really help. If you will eat more protein, you will not be so hungry. Really...it is worth a try.

When your hormones are out of balance, I believe that is messes with our blood suger. Syndrome x....

Have a good day today....LOL!
Shebee

Hi Cathy,

I'm taking the Procheive 4% cream. I beleive it's similar to Crinome (sp?) but I'm doing really well with it. I know it's because of the Estrace (thank you for telling me about it) because when I tried the Procheive the first time while taking Estragel, I didn't do nearly as well. I was extremely fatigued for 2 weeks, felt bloated and had a ravenous appetite. It was horrible. This time, it's more of a calming, energetic feel. I think what has happened is that I'm balanced for the first time in years. I'm taking mostly 2mg of the Estrace for now. I have to reduce it to 1 fairly soon as my script wasn't written for 2 and I'll run out. (Dr said it was going to be for 2x a day and to take 1.5 but when I picked it up the bottle read 1x per day). I suppose I should call but it was such a hassle just getting this that I hesitate.

<back to the original topic>

Hey there

You are taking the combination that my doc and I talked about as next steps when I saw him last.
The Estrace was my first estrogen replacement prescription and it worked really well for me. I wanted to try the gel because of the passing through the liver issue, but like you say, it's whatever works (and my doc is very happy that medication).
My trouble started when I was taking 1 mg. of Estrace and 100 of Prometrium. It was just too much for me, I guess. Had I stuck with the Estrace and changed the P to Prochieve or even cream I think I would have stayed with it.
So glad to hear you're doing well on it.....:-)
Take care.


c

You know I think you are really on to something w/the sugar and hormone things.... I have been in the past dx w/hypoglycemia, and some times, if not many that's exactly what it feels like. When you sugar drops it does mimick a panic attack, which does what, increase your anxiety, it's like a horrible cycle.

As for Progesterone and weight gain? That to has been a concern for me. Several years ago they put me on Depo-Provera, in 6 months I gain 25 lbs. Now I was one of those ppl that had a very high metabolism, and could not gain weight if I tried, but on the Depo did nothing different and gained the weight. I don't know if it was the Progesterone, but could of been. Could only do the depo 2 times, then went off, and then it took over a year to drop the weight. I am still heavier than when I had orginally started, but part of that could be just age. But I do believe that too much estrogen has something to do w/weight loss. Looking back at all my female symptoms over the years, starting w/endometriosis, I believe I was always "estrogen" dominant. I use to be real skinny, too skinny, and no matter what I did could not gain weight. Then when I got pregnant at 30, gained like 50 pounds in 4 months. I started out as about 115 when I got pregnant, and went above 200 pounds. Had my son, within year, got way too skinny again. weird. Now I am about 140, but have noticed that I am losing weight again. I like where I am at now, just don't want too lose or gain any more...

Heck if testerone bulks up men, who is to say what estrogen and progesterone do for women.

Hello Everyone,
I'm new to PowerSurge. I was looking for other info, but stumbled onto this thread. Felt compelled to share my experience.

I'm not a doctor, but I've spent a lot of time trying to get smarter about estrogen and progesterone... both the synthetic and bio-identical forms.

This past January (2009) I started taking Premarin (a synthetic form of estrogen) per doc's instructions for extreme vaginal dryness. Sure, it took care of the dryness, but it wreaked other havoc. Within 3 weeks I'd gained 8 lbs (with no diet or exercise change). I also had nausea almost constantly as well as abdominal cramps. And I felt generally un-well the entire month on it. I needed help.

I happened to talk with a friend at about the 3-week mark who started educating me about Premarin and it's ilk (the synthesized E1 and E2 forms of estrogen) and how they have a reputation for making one feel un-well... as well as a reputation for weight gain. She was taking bio-identical E3 (Estriol), the weaker, more benign form of estrogen. So after 1 month on the Premarin, I went off and started taking bio-identical E3 (2 mg suppository by Bezwecken... one twice a week). Within 3 weeks, the 8 extra pounds were gone... with no change to diet or exercise! And I was feeling well and the nausea was also gone.

This made me wonder MORE about the differences between synthesized and natural estrogens. I looked up Vivelle Dot and Estrace, and they are both E2 products... the stronger and more dangerous form of estrogen which has a history of causing weight gain... and some of the other health concerns that has caused many to stop taking HRT. On the other hand, though the use of E3 is in it's infancy, studies seem to suggest that it can actually have a protective effect on breast tissue... protective against cancer. This is not definitely proven.... studies ongoing. But it's encouraging.

As for Progesterone... it doesn't cause weight gain... very much the opposite. And I can't tell you how many times I've read that one should never be taking ANY form of estrogen without also taking Progesterone. This is because being 'estrogen-dominant' seems to be something that encourages these female cancers. Estrogen-dominance is when there is more estrogen in the body than progesterone.

As noted previously in this thread, our bodies continue to make small amounts of estrogen after menopause... particularly if we are over-weight. But we COMPLETELY stop making progesterone. So upon entering menopause, we become estrogen-dominant pretty much by default, and it's beginning to be suspected that this estrogen-dominance is a large part of the problem with a lot of the disagreeable things about menopause.

So I started taking a USP Progesterone product called Pro-gest by Emerita. You don't need a prescription for USP Progesterone... I get mine at my grocery store... it's available online, too. (I buy the E3 suppositories online, too because it is incredibly cheaper than the exact same thing here locally). I have also recently read that MANY body functions depend on progesterone.

Noted pioneer in research about menopause, Dr. John Lee, says in his book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, the function of progesterone include:
* is a precursor of other sex hormones including estrogen and testosterone
* maintains secretary endometrium (uterine lining)
* protects against fibrocystic breasts
* is a natural diuretic
* helps use fat for energy
* functions as a natural antidepressant
* helps thyroid hormone action
* normalizes blood clotting
* restores sex drive
* helps normalize blood sugar levels
* restores proper cell oxygen levels
* has a thermogenic (temperature rising) effect
* helps protect against breast cancer
* builds bone and is protective against osteoporosis
* is a precursor of cortisone synthesis by adrenal cortex

Dr. Lee's book is eye-opening!!! I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to really understand menopause and the difference in HRT ind BHRT (bio-identical HRT).

So take your progesterone! And FYI... Progestin or Progestins or Progestogens are all names for non-bio-identical progesterone. They are not the same thing as the progesterone our bodies make and they. If you are going to take progesterone it MUST say USP Progesterone. The USP tells you it's bio-identical and pure. USP stands for United States Pharmacopoeia... and organization that guarantees that what is on the label is what is IN the product... not some synthesized substitute.

In closing... I have been struggling with my weight since entering menopause about 4 years ago. I've just returned to the gym, and we'll see if I can manage to lose these 10 lbs I have gained just being in menopause. And by the way, I was diagnosed as low-thyroid during my first year of menopause... part of my weight woes. And I'm enough a jock to know that NC53215 is absolutely correct about not seeing results on the scale when you first start working out. Fat is not converted to muscle, but muscle is developed before fat begins to burn off... and muscle tissue weighs more than fat tissue... thus a weight gain. If you keep up your workout, you should start to burn off fat as your calorie load lessens (due to working some calories off via the workouts). Ultimately, you may still weigh the same after several months working out diligently, but your shape will change. And over time, you'll lose weight, too. And one more thing.... be sure you're changing your workout at least every couple weeks. Our bodies get into a habit, and when they are comfortable, they work less hard (yes, even doing the same thing). So to keep the muscles on their toes, you have to ask them to do different things on a regular basis to keep the weight loss going.

I went to a trainer and had 5 circuit training routines devised for me so that I can mix and match them creating a new routine every week. I've not been diligent enough about it to see results yet. But as I said, I've just returned to the gym. We'll see if I can do it this time!

Best of luck to all of you with the progesterone and weight issues. I don't have all the answers, but I've spent an incredible amount of time getting smarter about this bio-identical progesterone and estrogen topic. I do not want cancer, and that combined with feeling so poorly on the Premarin, well, it caused me to just want an alternative. I'm a child of the 60s... not trusting of authority. Just because my doc said it, doesn't mean it's right, it only means it's all she knows. Western doctors are taught WESTERN practices, and are in the pockets of the drug companies. There are other answers out there if we just do some research. I'm so glad I did! I'm feeling great on the E3 and ProGest... great energy, minimal hot flashes, and able to have sex again without pain. Wahoo!

Shebee is correct lower your carbs and up your proteins. The SBD is a good plan to kind of follow that will help if you don't know where to start.

I have lost weight on P.

Also have the thyroid checked.

What a great post! I would add that a bit of testosterone is great, too. I started converting body fat to muscle with little effort. My body started responding to exercise like I was 22. I am still lazy about exercising, but even 10 minutes a day ...has made a BIG difference. After converting body fat to muscle...I started losing weight.

I read that when women go on the bc pill they can expect to gain 8lbs...and at meno...much more.

My body loves hormones!

Shebee

What a great post! I would add that a bit of testosterone is great, too. I started converting body fat to muscle with little effort. My body started responding to exercise like I was 22. I am still lazy about exercising, but even 10 minutes a day ...has made a BIG difference. After converting body fat to muscle...I started losing weight.

I read that when women go on the bc pill they can expect to gain 8lbs...and at meno...much more.

My body loves hormones!

Shebee
[/quote]


Hey Shebee, that sounds like a great idea but my testosterone is already the dominant hormone pulsing through my body. It's something like 24 while everything else is almost ZERO. I wish I could take some T and convert fat to muscle "with little effort" but I'm afraid my libido would increase even more than it already has and that might make it impossible for me to function at all! I physically feel ok just a little tired but my thyroid level is "just a tiny little bit on the low side" that's not helping any.

And I agree with the weight gain thing re: the pill and meno. I gained about 10 lbs. overnight when I started taking the pill after my son was born. About ten years later I had major spinal surgery and was basically mostly immobile for several weeks and gained another 40 lbs. without trying (could do nothing but eat and watch TV) and then meno hit. Whammo! Here I am a whole 'nother person added onto the woman I used to be. I weighed 107 lbs. the day I got married but that skinny little girl is long gone! Wish I could lose this weight though.

If you have higher T you might want to cut out the carbs and add more proteins too. The T causes our bodies to convert the carbs to sugars which get stuck in our cells and our glucose levels get all out of whack, then the higher insulin levels raise our T and so on and so forth. T and insulin cells can sort of feed off one another and you end up in a nasty little cycle. If you try something similar to the SBD you might find that your T starts to drop. Worth a try. Tried to put this in laymans terms it is a bit more complicated than that.

Before I started using Progesterone cream, I was unable to lose any weight for 18 months, now I am losing again but the loss is very slow, about 1lb every 6 weeks. In total I have lost 3 stone and only need to lose a little bit more to fit comfortably into the size I want to be. The cream definitely helped in that respect and I was oestrogen dominant before.

Amber,

I know for myself, too much P packed on the pounds. I gained 35 pounds.....granted I did need to gain some weight at the time I started the hormones cuz I was so sick during menopause I couldn't eat for months and had lost 25 pounds. However the weight gain just didn't stop!! I gained and gained and gained. I also think P caused water weight gain. When I stopped the P, I dropped 7 pounds in the first few days....that had to be water.

I am so confused with the whole Progesterone issue. I can't take the Prometrium, both cuz of weight gain and it messed with liver function. Currently I am cycling it vaginally, but this causes bleeding...unless I take 200 mgs and that causes uncontrollable rage. I tried the P cream and got occular migraine every single day.

Then I read threads like this, and it sounds like I should be using the P consistantly. Other articles I have read say NO, your body should NOT have a constant supply of P as that is not a natural state!!

I know when I did still cycle, I always felt the very best during the week after my period, which is when my estrogen was highest and P was low. It is so confusing!!!

I have managed to drop a total of 17 pounds so far. I want to drop another 10, but I am not trying REAL hard. I walk regularly, I try and avoid white food (ie white bread, sugar, pasta, flour, etc.). I don't always succeed, but I try. I try and eat more protein throughout the day, instead of eating the bulk of it at supper time. I try and stick to the WW points plan...some days I do better than others. I have to agree with the other ladies that said to cut way back on carbs....as carbs do, in fact, convert to sugar in your blood stream. So do the whole grains, but at a much slower rate. When I am "on track" and losing weight I will eat my carbs in the early part of the day...with breakfast and lunch...and try and avoid them at night. Eat your carbs an hour before you walk, then you will burn off that sugar rather than store it.

It is all so intricate and complicated!! And frustrating as H*LL!! I wish you luck, don't give up trying!!

You know, it amazes me that everyone is so different in their hormone needs. I think that we are all searching for that "perfect" mix that will work with everyone. To some, P seems to acts like poison; to others, it is the best stuff in the world. The key is doing what you are doing...experimenting on yourself. LOL! I wish it were easier.

Congrats on the weight loss. This is a wonderful! Did you realize that every pound you lose is like losing a can or corn off you but? LOL! Think about a 4lb/5lb bag of sugar. That is a LOT.

I have found that bread seems to be my enemy. If I cut it out altogether, I can drop weight easily. I think that I am mildly allergic to grains, but seem to be able to tolerate them. I love bread! It just does not love me! I am thinking about leaving my bread...yes, just walking away, and never giving it a second chance again! I will find a new love!

Congrats once again....
Shebee

Hi Shebee:
Have been on the Progesterone 3 nights now .2 Bioidentical, so far has not helped with the sleep, will that come, also what would you recommend for tha adrenal fatigue, and to lower cortisol. I have just purchased the Wilson book,. Will the P start to kick in soon, I have to patient.
Jpie

Floater,
I'm sorry to hear your issues with progesterone. At first I thought the Prometrium might not bio-identical... looked it up... it is. You note side effects more common to synthetic progesterone (Progestin). Not to be rude, but... you are SURE your product says it contains USP Progesterone... not Progestin?

And I'm reading some other resource saying that if there are any side effects with bioidentical P... they'd generally be from taking it orally. It's best and most gentle absorbed transdermally from what I understand.

You don't say your age, how long you are past the menopause, and if you are taking estrogen in addition to the Progesterone.

I'm also reading that some people just naturally have too much progesterone. And there are some other health problems that can cause high progesterone levels. That article's advice is to have a serum progesterone test done to check your actual P level. If it's too high, your doctor can then try to figure out what it causing it. Obviously, if you already have too high a P level, you wouldn't want to take MORE P. :-)

Here is some info on high progesterone: http://www.yourmenopausetype.com/menopause...s/06122002.html

And have you been tested for low thyroid? I have it, and it came on at the same time as the menopause, and it has about all of the symptoms you've described... which is why it's often missed when a woman starts menopause. It was missed for me for a year, and I had many of the side effects you mention... all of which are mostly gone now that I'm on thyroid medication.

It all IS intricate!!!! Amen to that. Shebee gives good advice.

I am trying to cut my addiction to carbs, too. The worst thing THEY (whoever THEY are) did was make foods fat-free. We thought Yay! no fat... I can eat all I want. But we now know we can't because carbs are calories, too. Then the high fructose corn syrup in all these wonderful fat-free products got us all addicted. If you're not already eliminating corn syrup from your diet, you should do that, too. I have done much reading on that, too. If you need exact quote, I can look them up for you, but in essence, there is something about real sugar, honey and other natural sweeteners that tell us when we've had enough... when we're full. But that something is NOT in corn syrup, so we eat more of something sweetened with corn sweeteners (because it tastes so danged good!) than if it is sweetened with sugar.

The best thing is to learn to not need to the taste of sweet. Like with chocolate... it's actually good for you... but only the unsweetened and un-milked form... ie. DARK or Bittersweet Chocolate. If you can learn to like it that way, you'll see that you need MUCH less to be satisfied. I buy Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet morsels, and freeze them. If you can learn to like even higher content chocolate, so much the better! For an occasional treat or dessert I have maybe 10-15 morsels. It's PLENTY! Let each one, one-by-one melt completely on your tongue savoring the delightful richness. It's wonderful. :-)

Good luck, Floater. I hope you get your P problem solved! And good on ya for your good diet and weight loss.

Hi there...I didn't forget you...I just have been on the run.
S

what awesome information! Thank you!!