HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) not helping you lose weight? Try This.
- Peggy Bronson
- Feb 21
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 9
It can be incredibly frustrating when you’re doing all the “right” things—taking Hormone Replacement Therapy, watching your diet, exercising regularly, even experimenting with intermittent fasting—and yet, the scale won’t budge. Worse, it might even be creeping up. If you’ve been there, you’re not alone. Many women going through menopause face this exact challenge, but the good news is, there’s a reason behind it, and there are solutions. Let’s break it down.
HRT Weight Loss or Gain
As we enter menopause, the body undergoes significant hormonal changes. One of the most noticeable changes is a decline in estrogen levels. This drop in estrogen causes a shift in the way the body stores fat, particularly in the abdominal area. Unfortunately, belly fat isn’t just sitting there for no reason. It actually serves a purpose—it’s a storage site for estrogen. As estrogen production declines, the body holds on to fat to ensure it has a backup source of estrogen when needed.
In addition, hormonal fluctuations contribute to muscle loss, which results in a decrease in metabolic rate. With a slower metabolism, we burn fewer calories, which leads to fat accumulation. This creates a cycle: we lose muscle tone, we gain fat, and our metabolism continues to slow down, making it even harder to shed those extra pounds.
How Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Helps with Weight Gain
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has been a game-changer for many women going through menopause. HRT helps replace the estrogen that is no longer produced in sufficient amounts by the ovaries, and in many cases, it can help restore balance to the hormones that regulate fat storage, muscle maintenance, and metabolism.
Taking HRT can improve symptoms of menopause, including night sweats, hot flashes, and mood swings. But more importantly, it can also support weight loss efforts by balancing hormones and supporting muscle mass retention. When muscle mass is maintained, metabolism stays higher, making it easier to burn calories and lose weight.
Introducing Semaglutide (GLP-1 Medications) for Weight Loss during Menopause
If you’re finding that HRT alone isn’t doing the trick, adding Semaglutide to the mix might be the solution. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 medication that has been shown to help with weight loss by regulating blood sugar levels and reducing appetite.
Originally used for treating type 2 diabetes, Semaglutide (branded as Ozempic) has gained popularity as a weight loss aid. The medication works by stimulating insulin production, slowing gastric emptying (which makes you feel full longer), and decreasing appetite, which can lead to a reduction in caloric intake and ultimately weight loss.
Incorporating Semaglutide into a weight loss plan, especially when combined with HRT, can provide a powerful one-two punch for tackling menopause-related weight gain.
My Personal Experience with HRT + Semaglutide
For me, HRT was an essential starting point. It helped balance my hormones, eased my night sweats, and gave me a sense of normalcy during a time when my body was feeling out of control. However, after losing some initial weight, I plateaued. I still had 12-15 pounds stubbornly clinging to me.
I had seen firsthand how my father-in-law lost 40 pounds on Ozempic, and I thought, “Why not?” After learning about the availability of Semaglutide through a Joi Women’s Wellness follow-up consultation, I decided to give it a go. In just six months, I lost 15 pounds and reached my goal weight. Adding Semaglutide to my routine really made a difference and helped me shed that final bit of weight that I just couldn’t get rid of with HRT alone.
Why It's Important to Address Weight Gain During Menopause
It’s not just about fitting into your favorite jeans. Excess weight, especially abdominal fat, can increase the risk of several serious health issues, including:
Cardiovascular disease
High blood pressure
Stroke
Type 2 diabetes
Cancer
Dr. Michael Green, MD, OB/GYN and Chief Medical Officer of WINONA, emphasizes that weight gain during menopause is not just an aesthetic concern; it has significant health implications. Addressing this weight gain with appropriate strategies, such as HRT and medications like Semaglutide, can help reduce these risks and improve overall health.
How to Tackle Weight Gain During Menopause
Here’s a breakdown of strategies that can help you manage weight during menopause:
Try Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – HRT helps balance hormones and can prevent the weight gain commonly associated with menopause. It also helps reduce symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.
Improve Sleep Quality – Night sweats and insomnia are common during menopause, but improving sleep with the help of HRT can reduce fatigue and support weight loss efforts.
Regain Lean Muscle Mass – As we age, we tend to lose muscle, which slows down our metabolism. Focus on strength training and eating enough protein to maintain lean muscle mass.
Switch Up Your Exercise Routine – Incorporate strength training instead of just cardio to build muscle, increase metabolism, and improve fat burning.
Manage Mood and Anxiety – Menopause can cause mood swings and anxiety due to hormonal imbalances. Managing these symptoms is crucial for overall well-being and can help you stay motivated to lose weight.
Move More – Regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight, improve muscle tone, and boost metabolism.
Where to find trustworthy HRT providers online?
This website, Hormone Therapy Hub is chalk full of trusted online HRT providers. Be sure to visit the Trusted Providers Page.
If you are looking for a practice that takes medical insurance and write prescriptions that can be picked up using your prescription insurance or using a GoodRX coupon, check out MyMenopauseRx. If you don't have time to meet with a HRT specialist and just want a quick way to get some information and have medications sent directly to you, then I'd check out Winona.
Regardless of your needs, there is an online HRT provider who fits the bill specifically for you. Also visit our HRT Review page to see many of the most popular providers, reviews of their products and pricing and even a few are side-by-side comparisons of one company against another.
If you still have questions and want to talk through who the best provider for you is, feel free to email me at peggyb@hormonetherapyhub.com.
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