Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a treatment that supplements hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone that decline naturally with age. There is much controversy and misinformation around whether BHRT causes weight gain. The short answer is - it depends.
There are a few key factors that influence whether someone will gain weight on BHRT:
- Hormone levels and balance. Imbalances in estrogen, progesterone and testosterone can all impact metabolism and fat storage. For example, low testosterone in men is linked to increased belly fat. Hormone pellet therapy provided by clinics like Hormone Harmony analyzes your hormone levels and provides customized BHRT to get your hormones back into optimal balance.
- Estrogen dominance. Some women develop an imbalance of too much estrogen relative to progesterone, called estrogen dominance. This can cause fluid retention, sluggish metabolism and difficulty losing abdominal fat. Again, proper testing and customization of BHRT by an experienced hormone specialist can help correct this imbalance.
- Progesterone. Some women notice weight gain when they first start progesterone cream or pills due to progesterone's temporary fluid retaining effect. However, this resolves within 2-3 months. Long-term, balancing progesterone with estrogen helps stabilize metabolism and energy levels.
- Route of administration. Oral estrogen and progesterone tend to contribute more to weight gain due to their metabolic effects on the liver. Transdermal estrogen (patches, gels) and micronized progesterone tend to have more favorable metabolic effects. At Hormone Harmony, we specialize in micronized progesterone and bioidentical estrogen pellets to reduce metabolic side effects.
- Diet and exercise. Like any other supplement, BHRT works best as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise helps the hormones work more efficiently in your body. Our clinicians at Hormone Harmony provide nutritional counseling and fitness advice tailored to your hormone therapy.
- Dosage. Just like any other medication, hormones need to be dosed properly for your individual needs. Too high or too low a dose can cause side effects. We carefully monitor your hormone levels and symptoms each visit to customize your dosage and minimize side effects like fluid retention.
- Underlying conditions. Sometimes weight gain is due to an underlying condition like thyroid disease or insulin resistance rather than the BHRT itself. We screen for these conditions so they can be properly addressed.
The key point is that BHRT does not have to mean weight gain when it is administered correctly by a trained anti-aging specialist. The experienced practitioners at Hormone Harmony use advanced testing to customize your hormone therapy for your unique needs. We provide ongoing monitoring to adjust dosages over time and address any side effects that arise.
With proper hormone balance tailored to your body, many patients report stabilized weight, reduced belly fat, and increased energy and metabolism from BHRT. We've helped thousands of women and men optimize their vitality and quality of life through individualized bioidentical hormone replacement.
Contact Hormone Harmony today to learn more and schedule your consultation. Our mission is to help you look and feel your best through safe, effective bioidentical hormone therapy.
