Will Bioidentical Hormones Cause Weight Gain?
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An adult approaching middle age has likely seen hormonal imbalances resulting in mood, mind, and body changes. At Body Bar MD in Carmel and Terre Haute, IN, Dr. Christy Kirkendol Watson offers bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) with BioTE® for adults over 40 who need their hormone levels rebalanced.
Keep reading to find out if you can expect side effects such as weight gain after starting BHRT.
How does bioidentical hormone replacement therapy work?
As both men and women age, hormones get depleted and lead to symptoms of imbalance such as:
- Weight gain
- Low libido
- Fatigue
- Sexual dysfunction
- Hair and bone loss
At Body Bar MD, Dr. Christy helps patients make informed decisions about if bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is right for them. In some cases, BHRT is accompanied by dietary changes and other supplements.
The first step is to assess your hormone levels to identify your precise levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and other hormones. This allows Dr. Christy to figure out precisely what you need to rebalance.
In BHRT, the hormones used are synthetic yet molecularly identical to your body’s natural hormones.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy using BioTE is a hormone pellet that is placed underneath the skin using a small incision. A local anesthetic is all that's necessary to relieve discomfort associated with the procedure.
The pellet will release hormones slowly into your bloodstream and typically lasts 3 – 6 months.
Does BHRT cause weight gain?
Patients are often concerned about weight gain during bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Some patients may experience weight gain at the start of treatment. However, patients with imbalanced hormones are more likely to gain weight, and overall, weight gain is not considered a risk of BHRT.
If you do experience prolonged weight gain during BHRT, it's important not to stop treatment. If you were already gaining weight due to a metabolism issue, hormone replacement would not be able to reverse that overnight. You shouldn't be concerned if you still see the scale move in the "wrong" direction almost immediately after starting BHRT.
People with hormone imbalances may also suffer from fatigue and become more sedentary. BHRT can help you regain some of your energy, but you will need to get into new diet and exercise habits to make it happen.
In the rare cases that hormone replacement therapy fails to balance hormones, patients may experience weight gain associated with that imbalance. If weight gain is drastic or long-lasting, contact Dr. Christy to discuss your concerns. She will be able to run a hormone panel to see if everything is in balance and working as it should.
In some cases, women may experience water retention when the first dose of BHRT is inserted. This can lead to temporary weight gain that subsides quickly.
Get bioidentical hormone replacement therapy in Carmel and Terre Haute, IN
If you're over 40 and concerned about symptoms of hormone imbalance, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with BioTE can be an excellent option for treating your symptoms. While hormone imbalance may be a reality of aging, it doesn't have to interfere with your life.
To learn more about if you're a candidate for BHRT, make an appointment with Dr. Christy Kirkendol Watson at Body Bar MD in Carmel or Terre Haute, IN.