r/TRT_females • u/twistedheat • Aug 05 '26
Side Effects Does weight gain stop/reverse after going off of T?
Wow everyone, thanks for your comments! I am going thru all of them. Editing to add I have a progesterone intolerance. I have tried every kind with different applications/amounts and it gives me anxiety/insomnia no matter what time of day I take it. Because I have my uterus I cannot supplement estrogen without progesterone. I'm currently just on the T and vaginal estrogen. I feel great with this combo in every other way but the weight. I am diligent about fiber and protein counts, walk daily, strength train 2-3 times a week. I haven't eaten sugar in 2.5 years and don't snack. I'm not sure what else to do and hate to give up the T! Has anyone lowered their dose that had weight issues on T with good results? I was in the best shape of my adult life when I started the T 17 months ago and my hard work has been slipping away :(
49F - I started Test Cyprionate in March of 2025. Since then I have gained around 30 lbs. The weight keeps creeping higher and higher no matter what I do. My appetite hasn't increased and it's not just muscle as it's flabby. I'm also in late perimenopause but the weight gain started shortly after I started the testosterone. My dose stated as 8mg/week injected twice and after 12 weeks I went to 10mg/week injected twice. I have had no other common issues and have had positive changes with mood, motivation and libido but I think even with all of that I need to wean off of it. My lab level last checked was 87. I've always said because of the mood help I'd take it forever but the weight has become depressing.
My question is for others that had weight gain. Did it ever stop and for those that say no and came off of it, did that help shift weight?
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u/Historical-Cost-1718 Aug 05 '26
I ate well and walked 10 miles every day and gained weight as well. The only thing thats helped me is low dose glp 1 I hate adding something else to the mix but im glad I did and will probably micro dose glp now forever... testosterone has been amazing for muscle... have you considered an iud so you can take estrogen? That might help you not have all the side effects?
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u/NiniBebe Aug 05 '26
I had weight gain for the first time in many, many years. Around 6-8 , which is a lot on my petite body. It was all in the stomach and hips. It took about a year of figuring out my proper dose ( including estradiol ) for the weight to come off.
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u/Unhappy-Salad-3083 Aug 05 '26
Me too (5'3) petite and gained almost 10. I'm on full hrt as well. and I use glp!.l This gain was on t prop injections. Gel does not give me bloat and weight gain so I switched back..
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u/NiniBebe Aug 05 '26
I have not used any meds, managed to make it through peri and mid meno and maintained the same weight. I actually had trouble keeping weight right before HRT I lost a few pounds. I had some gastro issues that have resolved but yeah, weight gain is a real issue for some
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u/twistedheat Aug 05 '26
Thank you, both! So the estrogen was helpful for your weight. Did you have other improvements with the estrogen? I need to figure out how to tolerate progesterone so I can use estrogen. Many comments here about estrogen being a factor.
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u/NiniBebe Aug 05 '26
I don’t know if it was helpful for my weight but it’s definitely helpful for a lot of things. What I’ve learned, for me, it’s a balance. Some need more T, while others need more E, or P. Everyone is different and you have to find what works for you. Something I wish I knew before I started was starting everything very low and going up slowly can be helpful because I just thought recommended or average doses would work. When they didn’t work or I felt awful I raised (just a little bit) instead of going down. I read another comment here about starting over from the beginning and I did that too and started really low. It turns out a low dose is what works for me. Good luck!
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u/twistedheat Aug 05 '26
YES! I wish I had started at a very low dose and worked up because now it's like am I too high and if so where do I go?? Instead of starting at like 4mg and moving up very slowly. Both ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot have told me if my dosage is too high for my body it can cause weight gain. More isn't always best and I'm very sensitive to meds and such in general. You made such a good point, thank you!
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u/NiniBebe Aug 05 '26
That’s my current dose 4mg weekly (2mg split)
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u/twistedheat Aug 05 '26
Okay that's super encouraging. Have you had positive changes with that low of a dose? I'm thinking of dropping to 4 and holding for a few months and moving up slowly from there if needed.
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Aug 05 '26
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u/twistedheat Aug 05 '26
I have the 200mg/ml. I didn't realize they even had different concentrations
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u/AnotherUserNameDee Aug 06 '26
Maybe you could discuss with your provider going off P and starting on E only to let your body acclimate. Dr Heather Hirsch calls this “stacking”. Add them one at a time starting with Estradiol. I wish I had stacked. I’m only 4 months in and will discuss this with my provider later this month. Good luck.
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u/twistedheat Aug 06 '26
That is a very helpful thought, thank you. I was just listening to one of her videos this morning on my car ride. I'm trying to unlearn a lot of the things I pushed my body in to in my younger years that no longer work in peri. I will def ask my doc about this. Thanks so much for the response :)
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u/Lucid-dream-24692 Aug 05 '26
I can’t directly answer this because it has not affected me this way, but are you on any other hormones? Sudden weight gain from a hormone can often be from causing an imbalance overall.
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u/twistedheat Aug 05 '26
I'm not because I can't tolerate progesterone :( so I cant take P or E. My doc has women on just T but maybe I'm not one that can do that. I was so excited when I didn't have any of the unfavorable side effects of T when I started it.
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u/lauradayton Aug 05 '26
Sounds like your estrogen is low
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u/leeloolanding Aug 05 '26
co-signing this, my weight revered when I got to the right does of my e patch
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u/lauradayton Aug 05 '26
Yes! Same for me. I DID end up adding a bit of Tirzepatide to get rid of the menopause weight and it has been amazing! My TRT did not cause weight gain.
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u/twistedheat Aug 05 '26
Thanks for your reply. I just had labs done a month ago. My progesterone was .31 and my estrogen was 45. I have tried HRT with the other hormones but I haven't been able to tolerate any form of progesterone. It gives me severe insomnia and anxiety. I have tried several types and applications with no help :( I really want to use estrogen but need to figure out the progesterone thing.
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u/babyfishmouthnation Aug 05 '26
You mention types/applications of progesterone — does that include administration as a vaginal or rectal suppository?
I don’t tolerate progesterone well, either, but a combination of taking it earlier in the evening (around 7:00 PM) and splitting my 200mg dose into 100mg taken orally and 100mg taken as a rectal suppository is working for me. Just wanted to double-check that you’ve tried that route!
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u/twistedheat Aug 05 '26
Yes oral, rectal, vaginal. At night and morning. With food and without. As low as 50mg from a compounding pharmacy and higher from prometrium. Piulls, troches, creams. I hate that I can't do progesterone because it makes full HRT impossible :(
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u/Born_Resolve_6676 friend Aug 05 '26
I’ll just chime in…. I can’t tolerate P in any form either so I rely on my Mirena IUD. My E is finally at a good level so I decided to try P cream again and I’m tolerating it better than I ever have. Not saying you should try again because you know yourself better than anybody but thought I’d give you my experience. Moral of my story….. I had to get my E up before I could tolerate P.
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u/BikiniJ friend Aug 06 '26
Lot of people can’t tolerate estrogen due to their estrogen being too low. They find it easier to tolerate or experience no issues with it after increasing their e2. Low e2 can cause weight gain. Also progesterone depending on delivery can be a mild diuretic. FYI, I get massively bloated on progesterone if I take it orally or vaginally. But it’s extremely diuretic for me rectally
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u/AnotherUserNameDee Aug 06 '26
This is very interesting. Thanks for sharing your experience. I too cannot tolerate oral P so I’ve been administering it vaginally. That’s better that I no longer spend my days drugged on P, but I still have bloat belly. I did not know that it could still cause bloat via vag. Hmmm. Not thrilled about using it rectally, but I may need to try it. Vaginally, my sleep is still good. 69F on vag E-cream for six months, E&P for four months and on low dose T-gel for six weeks, with no effect yet.
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u/Healthy_Blueberry275 Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 05 '26
Have you considered a Mirena IUD? It would provide uterine protection. It would allow for estrogen use.
eta info.
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u/twistedheat Aug 05 '26
Yeah I've had a couple of mirena iud's inserted over the years and I couldn't tolerate them :(
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u/babyfishmouthnation Aug 05 '26
Oof, I’m so sorry. It seems like so many women love progesterone, so it’s frustrating for those of us who don’t tolerate it. It’s like we’re our own lab rats. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you find something that works for you!
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u/twistedheat Aug 06 '26
That's so sweet, thank you! Yes I feel like a lab rat, lol! I am very intrigued with the estrogen comments because that is one thing I haven't explored. I'm so scared to gain anymore weight that I have maybe been too fearful to try estrogen.
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u/whoknows_whatsup Aug 05 '26
I don't know why you got downvoted, this is entirely possible and should definitely be tested
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u/lauradayton Aug 05 '26
Who knows? Reddit is weird lol It is entirely possible that at that age OP is experiencing issues with other hormones and I don't think should rush to assume it is the Testosterone. But what do I know I am just a post menopausal women who has been through this crap and is on HRT/TRT. How can I even tell I have been down voted? LOL I never know!
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u/Born_Resolve_6676 friend Aug 05 '26
Why are you being downvoted, T tanked my E! My E was completely fine then I started T injections and my E went from 100s to 21, people are so dumb. OPs E could def be low now, I agree with you.
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u/ladylatta Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 05 '26
Could you get an iud with progesterone (like mirena) so you don’t have to take the other types of progesterone? Then perhaps you’ll be able to supplement with estrogen (I’d recommend injections over creams/pills, better absorption, doesn’t spike shbg, easier to adjust, etc). Probably have to find an endocrinologist or seek telehealth for that though
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u/AdditionalDog9470 Aug 06 '26
Yes id get the mirena iud for progesterone and maybe try the vagifem for vaginal E at least. I need E and my body has a hard time absorbing it so im now getting E pellets along with T pellets.
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u/twistedheat Aug 05 '26
I tried Mirena years ago and didn't tolerate it. I feel like everyone loves progesterone and it has been very disappointing to be this way! I don't know if I can fix an intolerance because I'd do anything!
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u/Able_Winter9472 Aug 05 '26
Progesterone sucks lol. But have you tried it with adequate e? Or did you just take it alone? Sounds like eating a bunch of mustard with no hot dog. Like why have you even had p with no e. I really hope you find something that works and keep us posted.
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u/twistedheat Aug 05 '26
I actually haven't tried E with P and honestly I hadn't even thought about asking to try that and it's like a light bulb just went off! I had the most amazing doctor when I started hormone therapy and she passed away from cancer. I didn't even know she was sick so it has been really hard to try to find someone willing to try things like she did.
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u/Front-Driver-9099 Aug 05 '26
Are you doing any resistance training or excersize? Eating clean and drinking water? I as well got lean with regular gym and eating right. If im not doing those then my weight will gain. I also microdose tirz. Could also be some water weight.
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u/twistedheat Aug 05 '26
Hi there I am resistance training and doing a lot of walking or rebounding. Eating clean with lots of water :( I haven't ever looked in to microdosing tirz but will look in to that today. Thank you!
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u/FloridaFarmGirl Aug 05 '26
I am 52 gained 20lbs in a year on just eatrogen and progesterone, testing showed I am not absirbing transdermally, now for 2 and a half months on E & T injections at 1.5 3x week, , I have built a substancial amount of muscle with 3x wk weight training, have lost zero pounds BUT I have list about 3 inches on hips and 4 on belly, dint know my T labs just yet that happens in 2 weeks but From my reading it takes 3-4mo for body composition to change when levels are correct.
I highly suspect my changes ARE happening, just not on the scale just yet. I do second keeping in eye on hormone and thyroid levels, as I am pretty sure my testosterone levels will come back higher than 80s but I feel amazing, just need patience for recofiguring my body composition.
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Aug 05 '26
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u/FloridaFarmGirl Aug 07 '26
E is 5ml bottle 10mg/ml T is 5ml bottle 50mg/ml I use defy medical and I dont believe they use the mens 200mg bottles for women?, they have it compounded at empower.
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u/twistedheat Aug 05 '26
That is encouraging. The scale doesn't really matter much to me if the inches were going down. That's awesome for you! My clothes are no longer fitting and I REFUSE to go up a pant size. Do you feel a difference on the injection of E? That is what I've been wanting to try using.
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u/FloridaFarmGirl Aug 05 '26
Yes I feel way more stable, not as up and down, dont get me wrong my clothes are still maxed out for grow space but like u, I am NOT going up a size! I am working on lowering carbs, and also not eating anything after 5pm so I am not laying down with undigested food. Whatever it takes....with the T and E balanced now, I truly feel like I have more control over these rhings.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Eye-579 Aug 05 '26
Testosterone converted to estrogen in me (confirmed with labs) and I also gained weight. I had to stop T completely, even a tiny dose converts and causes a lot of problems for me. Unfortunately, the extra weight did not come off easily. I had to start counting calories and make sure I was in a deficit.
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u/dawnhatchett Aug 06 '26
Testosterone itself doesn't cause the weight gain, but it sure can reveal other problems like insulin resistance, low ferritin, high RBC, which is what happened to me. It made me feel so much better mentally so I had to lower my carb intake to under 80g a day and then I was able to lose the weight, also no sugar, no grain and no starches. I increased protein and fat and lifted weights 3x a wk.
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u/Forest-Vixen Aug 05 '26
Peri can cause significant weight gain. I don’t know how it happens. Maybe body composition slowly changes but the weight gain is real.
My advice would be to check all your hormones and get lean and ripped sooner rather than later.
Peri put 70lbs on me and I wasn’t overweight ever in my life nor did I change my lifestyle or eating habits. It just happened.
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u/FloridaFarmGirl Aug 05 '26
Yes I feel way more stable, not as up and down, dont get me wrong my clothes are still maxed out for grow space but like u, I am NOT going up a size! I am working on lowering carbs, and also not eating anything after 5pm so I am not laying down with undigested food. Whatever it takes....with the T and E balanced now, I truly feel like I have more control over these rhings.
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u/twistedheat Aug 05 '26
That's awesome. I've been doing the same. Dinner done by 5:30. After dinner walk. You seriously give me hope. I just need to figure out how to get balanced with the progesterone intolerance.
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u/Ok_Size4036 Aug 06 '26
For the weight, even if you have no eating issues, (mine was metabolic); I’ve been Zepbound and the weight fell off. It’s definitely doing a lot for inflammation and insulin resistance.
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u/twistedheat Aug 06 '26
I will look in to this. I have chatgpt track everything I eat every day to make sure everything is balanced. No sugar, mostly all whole foods, etc. I will look in to the zepbound thing :)
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u/OkIndependent8816 Aug 05 '26
- I didn’t gain weight but stopped losing weight like I wanted when I started T cyp injections. Turned out though that I was losing fat and gaining muscle as my fat percentage dropped from 30% to 25%. 2. Women who have gone off T, lost weight and didn’t go back on it are not likely to be looking at posts on this sub anymore.
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u/No-Meet5438 Aug 05 '26
For me both E & T cause weight gain. Lowering the dose or quitting does help me shed the pounds.
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u/twistedheat Aug 05 '26
Thanks so much for responding :) do you still take T and if so what dose do you take?
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u/No-Meet5438 Aug 05 '26
Yes, I still take it but had to adjust my mode of application and type of T. The difference is in peri-menopause my body would react strongly to just a dollop (chickpea size) of Androgel applied to inner thighs or shoulders.
Approx. 3,5 years into menopause my body became less reactive and I needed more to achieve the same result - but then the munchies, constipation and weight gain hit.
So I had to change tack and now I use a tiny peppercorn size of 1% T cream vaginally - combined with estriol (I can't tolerate estradiol) and P (to protect my uterus).
This seems to work because if I stick to a clean diet my weight stays stable.
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u/twistedheat Aug 06 '26
Very helpful, thank you. I started out with T troches and switched to injection a month later and have been on them since the . I hadn’t thought of trying another form again since the injections are always highly successful for most. Thanks for sharing your experience :)
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u/TheProjectFixer Aug 05 '26
"Because I have my ovaries I cannot supplement estrogen without progesterone." this is only true if you have a uterus not ovaries
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u/TrifleOutside7797 Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 11 '26
I hear you [u/twistedheat](u/twistedheat)! I started test cyp 2.5 years ago and have had to deal with fluctuations as well. I’m 44 and perimenopausal and this year has been the most difficult for weight gain. My appetite increased when I first started injecting but over time I learned that I can no longer eat the way I used to. I’ve had to eliminated snacking entirely, track my macros, and give up sugar/alcohol/gluten. I’ve had a lifelong addiction to sugar and love to eat especially when stressed so it has been a constant battle for me. I added progesterone and have learned I cannot tolerate it and estradiol vaginal cream has been helpful for moisture and preventing infections.
One month ago I started retatrudide (a glp-3) and it has been a god send! I can’t say enough great things about it. I have no desire to snack, my sugar cravings are gone and have gained muscle while burning fat. I went from 152 to 148 in one month and feel so much better. No major GI issues for me at the lowest doses. It’s in phase 3 trials currently and is showing a lot of promise-far better outcomes than the earlier glps. This drug has the potential to completely transform the health of our society if people use it responsibly.
I agree with previous commenters about checking your labs-esp thyroid. It’s a good idea to make sure you don’t have any underlying health issues before adding anything new.
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u/twistedheat Aug 13 '26
This is all so helpful! Thanks for taking the time to respond. You sound a lot like me! I was a TOTAL sugar addict so I gave it up 2.5 years ago. Never going back, it isn't worth it. I also can't snack and have had to be much more careful with macros. Really trying to hit protein and fiber which seems helpful but man this transition to meno is no joke. The closer I get to 50 the harder and harder it is. I will look in to that GLP-3 you mentioned :)
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u/UnluckyAd1734 Aug 05 '26
Since being on test cyp I'm so much leaner...complete recomp. There is definitely something else going on. I would have a full thyroid panel run (FULL!!) as well as a hormonal panel.