What to expect when you first start taking HRT?

The first changes you will probably notice are that your skin will become a bit drier and thinner. Your pores will become smaller and there will be less oil production. You may become more prone to bruising or cuts and in the first few weeks you'll notice that the odors of your sweat and urine will change.

What should I expect the first week of HRT?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is medicine used to treat the symptoms of the menopause. It is common to have side effects in the first few months of taking HRT. These usually settle on their own within 6 to 8 weeks. Side effects include weight gain, irregular bleeding, feeling sick (nausea) and skin irritation.

How long does it take to feel better after starting hormone replacement therapy?

It may take a few weeks to feel the effects of treatment and there may be some side effects at first. A GP will usually recommend trying treatment for 3 months to see if it helps. If it does not, they may suggest changing your dose, or changing the type of HRT you're taking.

Does HRT make you feel worse before better?

HRT does come with certain side effects, which tend to be most pronounced in the first few weeks and months of use. If you are unlucky, you may even find that HRT can make you feel worse before you feel better.

How much better does HRT make you feel?

In very real ways, using HRT to address symptoms of hormonal change can help you feel younger. It can give you more energy, elevate mood, and increase sex drive. It can make sex more comfortable and improve sleep in both men and women.

The 10 Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy - HealthTexas on SA Live

Does HRT help with belly fat?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can affect weight loss in women. In addition to having less abdominal fat, the same study found that women undergoing HRT were almost one whole point lower on the body mass index (BMI) scale, and they had nearly 3 pounds less of fat mass.

Is there a downside to taking HRT?

Combined HRT can be associated with a small increase in the risk of breast cancer. The increased risk is related to how long you take HRT, and it falls after you stop taking it. Because of the risk of breast cancer, it's especially important to attend all your breast cancer screening appointments if you're taking HRT.

Does HRT give you your energy back?

Men and women concerned with low energy and increasing fatigue can experience the energy benefits of HRT (hormone replacement therapy).

How do you know HRT is working?

A review approximately 3-4 months after starting or changing HRT is a good time to assess both satisfaction with the HRT prescription and its effectiveness in treating menopause symptoms. By this time most start-up symptoms (if any occurred) should be settling. If not, changes to the HRT prescription can be discussed.

Do you put on weight with HRT?

Many women believe that taking HRT will make them put on weight, but there's no evidence to support this claim. You may gain some weight during the menopause, but this often happens regardless of whether you take HRT. Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet should help you to lose any unwanted weight.

How long does it take to lose weight on HRT?

However, for other results like weight loss and muscle gain, it can take up to 3-months, which is when studies show 80% of women experience full relief.

Does HRT help with anxiety?

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

If your mood changes are related to the perimenopause and menopause, evidence indicates that HRT is better at improving your mood and anxiety than antidepressants.

What foods to avoid while taking estradiol?

Take this medicine with food. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may change the amount of this medicine that is absorbed in the body.

How much weight does HRT make you gain?

Summary. HRT does not cause weight gain. Side effects of HRT may feel like it but the reality is that bodies change in midlife. In fact, many women lose weight and feel considerably fitter on HRT.

How does HRT change your body shape?

Your body will begin to redistribute your weight. Fat will collect around your hips and thighs and the muscles in your arms and legs will become less defined and have a smoother appearance as the fat just below your skin becomes a bit thicker.

Do you look younger on HRT?

By restoring youthful hormone levels, HRT can help to improve your appearance and make you look and feel younger. In addition, therapy can also help reduce the risk of age-related diseases such as osteoporosis and heart disease. As a result, it can provide a wide range of benefits for older adults.

Will HRT help with weight loss?

HRT can help to regulate your metabolism and hormones, which in turn can aid in weight loss. This is because when women experience a decrease in oestrogen through menopause many see an increase in belly fat and weight. By replacing the lost oestrogen with HRT, women are more likely to lose this.

Does HRT help with fatigue?

Some women find that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) helps with their fatigue. HRT is an effective way of managing menopause symptoms and can improve the overall quality of your life, energy levels and sleep.

How do I know if my HRT estrogen is too high?

Does HRT clear brain fog?

Fortunately, the right type and dose of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (with testosterone for those who need it) can improve brain fog and help you think more clearly.

Which HRT is best for fatigue?

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Thus, HRT may effectively treat fatigue and the symptoms that can exacerbate it. In particular, estrogen replacement is considered the most effective treatment for the vasomotor symptoms that tend to occur in concert with fatigue and can be instrumental in restoring energy levels.

Which form of HRT is best?

The optimal type of HRT is body identical HRT – the hormones are the same as the hormones you naturally produce in your body.

How do I get rid of my menopausal apron belly?

It's impossible to spot treat an apron belly. The only ways to reduce one are through overall weight reduction and surgical/non-surgical options.

How can I avoid weight gain on HRT?

There is no easy answer, but rebalancing the hormones, exercise routine and diet can help to increase your metabolic rate, which will ensure fat is burned more efficiently. Reducing overall stress in your life can help too, because stress can cause increased amounts of cortisol to be released.

Does HRT reduce facial hair?

With that said, one of the physical changes that accompany estrogen hormone replacement therapy is body and facial hair thinning. Those on estrogen GAHT (both estradiol and anti-androgens and/or progesterone) can experience hair thinning on the face, chest, abdomen, legs, and arms.