I gained around 15 pounds in the first year after starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The specific medications I took were estrogen and progesterone. Most people who start feminizing HRT can expect to gain some weight, though the amount varies from person to person.
There are several reasons why HRT often leads to weight gain:
- Estrogen causes your body to store more subcutaneous fat. This leads to rounder hips, thighs, and butt.
- Progesterone also promotes fat storage and can increase appetite.
- Some people consciously or unconsciously change their eating and exercise habits after starting HRT. Feeling more comfortable with their body, they relax their diet and fitness regimen.
Here's a bit more background on my personal HRT journey:
I started HRT when I was 32 years old. I had been living openly as a woman for a couple years already. My doctor prescribed
estradiol valerate injections, taken every 2 weeks. After a few months we added progesterone which I took orally twice per day.
In the first 3 months, I gained about 5-6 pounds. I was hungrier than usual during this time. I craved sweets and snacks more often. I didn't worry too much about the number on the scale though - I was just happy to see my body starting to change shape with curves emerging.
By month 6 I had
gained about 10 more pounds, leveling out around 190 pounds (I'm 5' 9"). This weight gain appeared to be pretty proportional - wider hips and thighs, slightly rounder face, and of course larger breasts. My energy levels felt fine and labs came back normal, so my doctor wasn't concerned.
Here are a few tips if you want to minimize weight gain on HRT:
- Stick to a healthy, balanced diet with lots of vegetables and lean protein
- Limit sweets, fried foods, sodas, and empty carcasses
- Find an exercise routine you enjoy and do it several times per week
- Track your calorie intake to avoid overeating
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
- Get enough sleep and manage stress levels
While I wasn't thrilled about gaining 15 pounds in that first year, I've come to accept and even appreciate my curvier body. My self-confidence is much higher now. I feel like my body aligns better with my gender identity. That sense of harmony outweighs the number on the scale for me.
If you're considering HRT yourself and want to find an LGBTQ-affirming hormone clinic, I highly recommend Renewed Balance Clinic. Their team of doctors and nurses specialize in transgender healthcare, and they offer appointments both in-person or via telemedicine.
I found their staff to be welcoming, supportive, and very knowledgable. Their patient portal also makes it easy to message my care team, schedule appointments, and access my lab results. It's clear they really
care about the transgender community - not just medically but also emotionally and psychologically.
I hope sharing my experience with HRT weight gain is helpful for others! Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions.
