Perimenopause & Sudden Weight Gain, is HRT the answer?

Perimenopause is defined as the years leading up to the day you can say you are fully in menopause. Menopause is once you've gone 12 months with no period.

When I was in my mid-30's I was unfamiliar with the term perimenopause or that it was even a "thing." As I look back, I experienced sudden bouts of rage, mainly toward my then husband (we are divorced today) and I would think, if I had a big enough and sharp enough knife, I believe I could cut his head off his body and not feel bad about it.

Now I know that these sudden fits of rage were likely the beginning of perimenopause for me. Had I been more aware at the time maybe he and I would still be married?

Menopause and Perimenopause Symptoms

Perimenopause is the 10-15 years leading up to your official day of menopause. Menopause is the day that you can say that you've gone 12 months without a period. All the years leading up to this are perimenopause and are a result of a decline in estrogen and maybe your progesterone as well.

Perimenopause can start as early as your mid-30's. Many of the symptoms that we are familiar with as it pertains to menopause will also be on the list for perimenopause.

Common Perimenopause Symptoms:

• Menstrual Changes: Irregular periods (skipping, lighter, heavier, closer together, further apart) are usually the first sign. 

• Hot Flashes & Night Sweats: Sudden feelings of intense heat, flushing, and sweating, often disrupting sleep. 

• Sleep Issues: Insomnia or difficulty staying asleep, often linked to night sweats. 

• Mood Changes: Irritability, mood swings, anxiety, or increased depression. 

• Cognitive Issues: "Brain fog," forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating. 

• Vaginal/Urinary Changes: Dryness, itching, painful intercourse (dyspareunia), increased UTIs, or urgency. 

• Libido: Decreased sex drive or changes in interest. 

• Physical Changes: Weight gain (especially belly fat), slowing metabolism, thinning hair, dry skin, joint aches, sore knees, heart palpitations. 

The first doctor to put me on HRT prescribed troche tablets. They melted under my tongue. This prescription contained, Estradiol, Progesterone and Testosterone.

Can Perimenopause cause weight gain

Yes. Perimenopause weight gain, often around the belly, is common due to hormonal shifts (estrogen decline), slower metabolism, and loss of muscle mass, leading to fat redistribution. Key symptoms include increased hunger, mood changes (stress, anxiety), disrupted sleep, and changes in body fat distribution, especially abdominal fat, even with stable eating/exercise habits. Managing it involves diet (more protein, less sugar/alcohol), regular strength & cardio exercise, better sleep, stress management, and sometimes medical support like HRT.

For me the worst of all the perimenopause and menopause symptoms was the weight gain. It was my weight gain that motivated me to reach out to a doctor and ask for help. I was at my wits end and a miserable 51 year old woman.

Does HRT help Perimenopause weight gain

I can't speak for everyone, but I can tell you that once I started Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), because I finally felt more normal; I was able to lose about 24 pounds. I also think, that because the night-sweats and hot flashes went away, my sleep improved and that also was helpful in my quest to lose the spare tire that had formed around belly area.

I wish I could state that HRT was all that it took to lose the weight, but after reaching a 24 pound weight loss, my body stalled and I wasn't able to lose any more. I still have like 12-15 pounds that I wanted to lose. I was doing all the right things, but even with that, the weight loss stalled and I desperately wanted to continue losing the menopause weight.

That's when I asked my then, HRT clinician for advice on losing that last few pounds and to my surprise, she suggested that I try a GLP-1, like compound Semaglutide. I knew my insurance wouldn't cover the name-brand miracle weight loss medications and I also wasn't even sure if I qualified. As it turned out, many of the telehealth providers are more versed in the subject and don't solely focus on your BMI (Body Mass Index, but also take into consideration other co-morbid conditions which taken into consideration together can help you qualify for a

GLP-1.

My compound Semaglutide arrived about a week after my HRT clinician put in for the prescription. It contained enough vials of Semaglutide to last me 3 months, plus the needed syringes and alcohol wipes to prepare the area.

Best diet for Perimenopause belly fat

I wish I could just share a magical diet with you and could guarantee that following it would allow you to lose weight, but that isn't the case.

For me, it look both Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and a a GLP-1 (Semaglutide) to lose the last 15 pounds I was desperate to lose. If you are like me, you may not want that to be the case as so many of us look at Semaglutide or a GLP-1 as cheating, but it worked for me and it can likely work for you.

Be sure to see the Weight Loss page in my website to find online, telehealth providers who offer compound Semaglutide. Compound Semaglutide is home-made by a compound pharmacy. It's not exactly the same as the name brand versions of Wegovy or Ozempic, but it's darn close and much cheaper. Today, many insurance companies no longer cover the name brand versions, so many of us are migrating toward the compound version as it's much more affordable.

Once I paired these two prescriptions together, I began to see the needle on the scale move again and I was so excited. To this day, 18 months later, I continue to micro-dose (smaller dose) to keep the hunger noise at bay and to ensure that there is enough of the GLP-1 in my system to keep my blood glucose at a healthy level which makes keeping the weight off much easier.

As you review the Weight Loss page, you note that Effecty is one of the most affordable options. Use coupon code PEGGY50 for $50 off your first order.

Perimenopause weight loss plan

If you are in those Perimenopause or even your post Menopause years and you've been struggling to lose the extra weight you've gained, you might want to consider adding a GLP-1 to your HRT regimen.

If you are not already on HRT you would likely see the most effective results if you combine the two therapies together. Hormone Replacement Therapy can help you feel more like yourself and then the GLP-1 can help speed up your weight loss results.

Many of the companies that you might consider, do also accept HSA credit cards to help offset the cost of your HRT or compound Semagluttide.

Effecty offers both HRT and GLP-1 medications. You can request a doctor consultation/visit or skip that step, totally up to you.

Perimenopause Sudden Weight Gain, is HRT the answer?

If you've seen sudden weight gain and you are anywhere north of age 30, then it could likely be due to a decline in estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen around this age begins to store in our belly, specifically belly fat which explains why the sudden spare tire for so many of us.

If you are already on HRT and the weight is not coming come or slowing down, adding a GLP-1 might be the answer you are looking for. If you've not started HRT and you not only frustrated with your weight but also experiencing other menopause symptoms like night-sweats, moodiness, rage or hot flashes, then you're probably a candidate for HRT and you'll want to are review the trusted providers page of my website to get started on Hormone Replacement Therapy at your earliest convenience.

If you think you are in perimenopause and have experienced sudden weight gain, HRT alone may help, but you may find it takes HRT PLUS a GLP-1 to meet your weight loss goals.

Hormone Therapy Hub Trusted Providers Page