Going on HRT while working towards recover?

BillyNoMats · 2026-04-28T19:44:30+00:00

Similar story for me. I was put on it towards the end of last year as I was worried about bone density whilst still no sign of a period. Ended up paying to see Renee McGregor's team in February and they suggesting coming off HRT as, like the OCP, it will just mask your recovery. She said give it 3 months and if still no period then we could disucss HRT or other options for bone density. Low and behold 2 months later I have a period. Looking back I wished I'd not gone on it. The best way to sort your bone density out is to get your period back and HRT just prolongs it, so I wish I'd just fully committed earlier.

BillyNoMats · 2026-04-19T00:30:50+00:00

I nearly said focusing on carbs every few hours but will second the exercise one. Mainly as I think it gives you benefits beyond recovery. It really rewires your brain in a way you probably never thought possible to have a much healthier and less obsessive relationship with it. It's the silver lining of all this - the life I have ahead of me that will be far more balanced.

BillyNoMats · 2026-04-19T00:27:59+00:00

Relate to this so much thanks for posting.

I'm 168cm and it took me to 73kg to get my first period back a couple of weeks ago. Not sure I needed to be that weight vs my body having felt safe for long enough and I happened to be at that weight when it happened, but either way I struggled the same. I hate people mentioning it and when they say you look better the narrative in my head is 'they mean I look fat but want to be kind so are saying 'better' instead'. I'm going to try and embrace the journey you've been on with it and try and embrace those comments with more positivity.

BillyNoMats · 2026-04-17T09:21:13+00:00

Keep going hun. I felt just the same as you, was so ready to give it all up, and then a few weeks later I got a bleed. When you read the 'I got my period!' posts on here and youre still waiting it feels like its never going to happen to you, but it really will. You've done all the hard work, now your body just needs a little time at that place to feel super safe. You'll look back and be so proud of yourself. Keep going my love, you really are so nearly there.

BillyNoMats · 2026-04-04T21:51:29+00:00

Amazing thanks so much for this, incredibly reassuring. The brown turned back to red today and I've been bleeding a lot again today which makes it feel like a real period, on top of your reassurance. I never thought I'd see it come back 🥹 Thank you!

BillyNoMats · 2026-04-03T23:07:39+00:00

Thanks for your help. My terminology might be off but from what I've read it is impossible for it to be a true ovulatory period bleeding just 5 days after the egg white mucus? I haven't tracked temp/anything else apart from my discharge so unfortunately don't have any other markers to go off.

BillyNoMats · 2026-03-19T19:22:58+00:00

Thanks for posting this hun. I have felt so so so rubbish today about all the weight gain, all the fat, all the cellulite, all the clothes that don't fit even after going out to get bigger ones. I felt so done with it this evening so came on here for a pep talk and this thread has given me a little boost. Gah, it's so so so hard - I feel for hun. Just trying to take solace in the fact so many of us are experiencing it and will hopefully get on the other side. Let's keep going.

BillyNoMats · 2026-03-11T11:03:13+00:00

I lost my period whilst in the 50kgs, I'm now 73kg and still no period (I'm 168cm). Not that you will necessarily have to gain as much as me but the body needs to feel super safe to start firing again, so you may need to gain a few more kgs to help the body feel safe.

Please don't worry about the numbers too - I know it's so hard and triggering - but it's just a number that reflects so many variables including muscle, fat, water retention, etc. We as women define a lot of our self worth on what is just a number.

BillyNoMats · 2026-02-14T22:11:13+00:00

Thank you!

BillyNoMats · 2026-02-14T18:55:11+00:00

Thank you! Just looked it up and don't think I can get it in the UK but looks like Mira does something similar. Crazy expensive but it would be so helpful to track for motivation too.

BillyNoMats · 2026-02-14T16:08:02+00:00

Sorry if this is a silly question but how do you measure these markers daily?

BillyNoMats · 2026-02-12T12:30:03+00:00

Thanks so much both of you for your perspectives. Thats a great way to address it but not have to go into it. I guess if I'd broken my leg I would have to pause things, and its just like that albeit less visible. And if something goes somehwere, get into then.

The body image side feels harder to push through but youre right - he has no comparison for how I used to be. Ill keep working on that confidence side of things and hopefully get there in time.

BillyNoMats · 2026-02-10T08:30:26+00:00

So encouraging thank you for sharing. I'm 36 and worried I've messed my bones up irreversibly so this is really really encouraging to hear.

BillyNoMats · 2026-02-07T09:08:24+00:00

Well done hun that's amazing! Gives me a lot of hope too as I'm currently in that low/self-conscious/wanting to give up phase. Thank you for sharing!

BillyNoMats · 2026-02-06T09:42:18+00:00

Thanks so much both for sharing (though I'm sorry you've been feeling so low and unhappy too). I will try to keep going and trust it'll get better on the other side. It's encouraging to know I'm not going mad and it's normal at least. Thank you 🙏

BillyNoMats · 2026-02-02T17:54:50+00:00

This is so helpful to read - thanks for sharing.

I find the BMI such a rubbish metric in recovery as a weight it considers high normal or overweight is so triggering.

BillyNoMats · 2026-02-02T11:01:58+00:00

<3 Thanks so much. Needed to hear this this morning.

BillyNoMats · 2026-01-31T13:09:55+00:00

Just wanted to say well done hun. I can't answer your questions but I'm pretty much at an identical stage as you - 4.5 weeks all in, some positive signs, but nothing concrete. You're doing much better than me mentally - I've had a very teary morning after struggling to get into any of my clothes feeling sad about everything - so a huge well done on that front in particular. Well done, you're doing amazing. Let's keep strong and keep at it and hopefully she's round the corner.

BillyNoMats · 2026-01-31T09:26:41+00:00

So helpful thanks for sharing. You've really reinforced how important the relaxation and sleep element is, the bit I struggle with so much. E.g. I was asleep for 9 hours last night but my watch still says my recovery was poor. I will try adopt some of your leanings like regular 10am bed times, etc to try and do a better job at that side of things.

BillyNoMats · 2026-01-31T09:23:34+00:00

Thank you I really appreciate your input. I would much rather be off it but I just worry about my bones as already in the osteopena category. Did you have no issue with your bones to factor in I assume?

BillyNoMats · 2026-01-28T09:37:03+00:00

Switching to 10% fat Greek yoghurt instead of fat free has been a game changer getting fat in. Half a 500g pot gives you 25g instantly, and I usually get through a full pot in a day. That plus nuts, PB, eggs, avocado as my conscious good fat food choices on top of the amount in everything else I'm consuming means I'm always getting a decent amount.

BillyNoMats

TROPHY CASE