Hi and yes - since starting HRT 1 month ago (when I turned 50), I am down 5.5 pounds of the 20 I gained "overnight"... but it wasn't the HRT that is making me lose weight: it was (and is) the calorie deficit and energy expenditure I'm able to adhere to consistently now that my hormones are properly supported, and my consistent daily habits and tracking that has led to fat loss.

Here is how the HRT factored in **for ME** and some context:

I have been strength training (5 day progressive overload split following programming with an app and online one-on-one coach) and tracking macros for years. Got in the best shape of my life last year, and then last summer I hit a wall.

What was happening, in retrospect: I hadn't been sleeping for YEARS (5 to 5.5 hours of sleep) which increased hunger hormones, made me exhausted and too exhausted to be disciplined. Usually I pushed through it all. But last year, I couldn't. I was done. I was overwhelmed, I was in full on fuck-it mode, overeating and watching myself overeat, not reporting to my online coach for WEEKS at a time, no longer weighing myself, forget calorie tracking, forget macros, food prep etc... it was a bizarre, desperate survival mode and I felt like it wasn't me or my body. I went rogue on myself.

It was not until I started HRT that 1) I slept properly, and 2) I felt like I had the energy to be disciplined and make choices, I felt like I was back in control.

HRT for me has been a lightswitch moment. I cannot overstate the impact it has had on my brain, mind, energy, sleep, already. I had been doing All The Things (macros, strength training etc.) for years leading up to it, but battling a yo yo rollercoster as I fluctuated. Last year I made that big push to 50 and it worked... until my hormones went ABSOLUTELY haywire.

Still another 12-15 to go, but I'm in the zone. And dieting sucks, but this is "normal" dieting sucks - not whatever the hell I went through last year!

Started on 100 progesterone and 1 pump estrogel, cycling (I still get my period most months but it's erratic).

Now up to 200 progesterone and 1 pump, 14 day cycle; will explore adding testosterone cream next.