Estradiol and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Rho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2021

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I had been on another estradiol patch for about a year. My husband's employer requested we start using a mail prescription, and when we did, they switched me to Dotti patches. I started wondering why I was feeling crabby and irritable again, sort of like I did before taking the patches. Also, I’ve been gaining weight. Not sure if that is also from the patches. But I’ve requested switching back to my original patch. I still wasn’t sure if this was because of the Dotti patches, but after reading these reviews, I’m sure of it. Would not recommend."

• Dis...
• October 26, 2016

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I started with perimenopause symptoms at 45 years old, beginning with heart palpitations and mild hot flashes. Shortly thereafter, all hell broke loose. Night sweats, hot flashes, crying, major insomnia, and an 18-pound weight gain in less than one year. I had no quality of life, so I went on the estradiol patch. I now feel human. Sleeping great and no night sweats. An occasional hot flash, but I can live with that. I went off for about a year, and almost everything came back with a vengeance. I'm back on!"

• Ann...
• June 2, 2020

Estradiol for Oophorectomy "I had a hysterectomy/bilateral oophorectomy in February 2019. Immediately after surgery, I had hot flashes and high blood pressure. I was put on Climara, and everything was better. My employer changed insurance providers 1/2020, and they no longer covered Climara. They substituted Sandoz. I started Sandoz in March 2020 after Climara ran out. I noticed right away that the Sandoz patches do not stick. After being on them a few weeks, I’ve had a 20 lb weight gain, pitting edema in my legs, hot flashes, and headaches. I went to my doctor, and all blood work was normal. Thyroid function is okay. The problem is the Sandoz patches. They are faulty. They curl even under hydrocolloid dressings. The inconsistent hormone level is wrecking havoc on my body. I filed a complaint with Sandoz. I now have to pay $150 for Climara instead of the $25 for Sandoz. If Sandoz isn’t working for you, file a grievance with the company. They are putting out an inferior product. I’m also filing a complaint with the FDA."

• Ket...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2020

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have been taking Divigel .5 for 6 weeks and 100 mg progesterone pill, and my mind has cleared magically. However, I have gained 3 lbs, and my breasts got bigger, as well as my stomach. It is very upsetting because I have been 127 lbs all my life. Someone has experienced the same?"

• Est...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 26, 2024

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I'm 68, I took these together with Utrogestan 100, 2 years ago. My weight gained by 2 stones. I felt better in myself, mentally, but at a cost. The downside is massive weight gain, which started to add to my anxiety, and I stopped. So, as someone that's been going through menopause for quite a number of years, I'm still struggling and cannot find a balance. Still looking, even now?"

• Del...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 31, 2015

For Gender Dysphoria "So I started transitioning at 18, and after a lot of research, I settled on Premarin as it's the closest to organic estrogen. After 2 years on that, I gained too much weight for myself to continue without risking blood clots or a stroke. My doctor said, 'You're switching to estradiol.' I was like, okay. After maybe 3 weeks, when my sex drive came back and my weight went way down, I knew I had made a grave mistake years ago. This may be synthetic, but it's most customly fit for humans. Then I started developing again. This med has changed my life for the better."

• Dol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2020

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "Vivelle-Dot made me have horrible water retention and weight gain. My feet were so swollen, I couldn’t get my shoes on. I also lost half of my hair. I stopped using it and went on compounded estrogen. Commercial estrogen is too potent for my body."

• Cor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 23, 2020

Estradiol for Oophorectomy "After a total hysterectomy, I was miserable, irritable, and low energy. Excessive sweating at night and dry skin was depressing. My gynecologist tried me on different patches, and nothing worked. Then she gave me a free sample of 0.05 Vivelle-Dot, and the symptoms were gone. I have been on it since 2010, and the only side effect is weight gain, but I can manage this rather than the alternative."

• Anonymous
• May 30, 2009

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "Just started 3 weeks ago and noticed a weight gain of about 3 pounds right away. It works, though. Noticed no night sweats or insomnia starting the first night. Worth the trade-off so far. Worried about the weight gain, though."

• Joa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 3, 2019

Estradiol for Hypoestrogenism "I’m 9 years post-hysterectomy. I started out with Vivelle Dot, then changed to Minivelle Dot when it came out. Never had any trouble. Insurance change last year (2018). Since there’s now a generic for Minivelle, I can pay $15 for Mylan or pay a penalty for the brand name and pay $188 for Minivelle. With a coupon, $135. I’ve tried to deal with all the problems with the Mylan patches for a YEAR! They do NOT deliver the same amount of estradiol as Minivelle. I’ve gained 20 lbs and have gotten horrible wrinkles. I firmly believe it’s the patch and lack of estrogen. Patches fall off, which is irritating. I still have hot flashes and night sweats. My endocrinologist even did an estrogen level test, and it was lower than in 2017 when on Minivelle. If my gyno will request Minivelle, my insurance will allow it and not charge a penalty. With a coupon, it should be about $40. I’m hoping!!!"

• Sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2018

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "Only been on this patch for 2 weeks. Terrible heart palpitations, and it raised my controlled blood pressure to the stage of doubling BP medication. I have had sore hips and pains through my body, and weight gain already, and itchy skin and constipation. So, I have ripped that patch off. Will do this menopause thing naturally."

• DEl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2022

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "VERY difficult to manage if you want to use smaller amounts than prescribed or to divide up a dose into 2 parts (I metabolize the estrogen very fast, so twice daily minimum is best for me). Good for hot flashes, BUT... will echo a few people who noticed increased abdominal pain and back pain. I have connective tissue problems, and since I started using Divigel consistently twice a day (but still below what was prescribed), the pain is brutal. PLUS, gained almost 10 pounds in a week. NO other changes, etc., that would have caused the weight gain."

• Tee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2015

Estradiol for Oophorectomy "Been on Mylan Estradiol transdermal 0.1 mg for 4 months. Apparently, it's the generic version of Vivelle Dot. Well, it's been great in handling the symptoms of surgical menopause. No headaches or migraines, no more brain fog, lots of energy. However, I have gained weight, have trouble sleeping (never had that issue in my life!), and feel like scratching my skin off everywhere I affix the patch. No matter how dry my skin is, this large, thick, ugly patch has trouble sticking, and moisture always gets under it. I end up with an angry, itchy red ring that lasts for a week after it's gone. So I'm switching to name brand Vivelle Dot. I hope to get the same benefits with a smaller, less ugly patch, and hope it resolves the irritation!"

• Gai...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 30, 2021

Estradiol for Oophorectomy "Been using this patch for almost 20 years now. It has helped me tremendously! No hot flashes! No weight gain! No bad mood swings. After my surgery when I was 29, this patch has made my life through the years so much better. Thankful us ladies have this when our bodies can't make what it needs to."

• hot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2014

Estradiol for Primary Ovarian Failure "I started premature ovarian failure/menopause at 31, and I'm now 35. I was skeptical of using the patch because of the side effects, so I resorted to other forms of estrogen, like birth control pills and changing my diet. They seemed to only work temporarily, 2-3 months at a time, and then the hot flashes and night sweats came back, along with irritability and no libido. I finally said enough and tried Vivelle, and after 2 weeks, the hot flashes and night sweats were gone. I am currently on the 'week off' of the patch, so far, so good. I can say that the only side effects that I've noticed are weight gain and breast swelling. I would recommend this patch to anyone in a similar situation."

• Anonymous
• January 14, 2011

Estradiol for Primary Ovarian Failure "I've been on Estrace for just over 2 years to treat primary ovarian failure. I have grown about 3 inches taller, my breasts have not increased in size, they are just constantly sore. I have been getting a lot of discharge, which is not overly pleasant. I get dizzy spells sometimes. I have gained about 15 pounds in 2 years, again, not the greatest, but my growth could have something to do with it. Acne comes and goes, sometimes it is horrible, other times my skin is great! My feet have also grown 1.5 sizes. I am very moody. That comes along with being young, though. Overall, I would give it a 6/10, as I did not notice too many pleasant side effects, however, it handled my problem inside."

• Hap...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 24, 2019

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have been on estradiol for probably 10 years. Years before, I had a hysterectomy but kept ovaries. Eventually, I started getting hot flashes, and my doctor put me on the Vivelle patch, which included coupons for a reduced price for the first year. Then, a dramatic price increase. When I told my doctor, he was surprised but said I could use a pill instead, which is drastically cheaper. I did and have had no negative impacts at all. No weight gain, and I feel great. Due to concerns about the length of time I have been on the drug, I started thinking about going off. After doing research and discussing with a new doctor, I have decided to stay on it. Reading all the negative comments about the patches makes me wonder why others are not taking a pill. I found it worked well. I take 0.5 mg daily."

• Che...
• August 2, 2018

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I tried it for 4 days and couldn't take it, I only used 1/2 (I cut it) because I have had issues with the pill in the past causing weight gain and depression and wanted to start out slow and experiment. Also, my sister's doctor told her to start out with just 1/2, and that worked for her. I thought it might be different now since I am postmenopausal, but it really wasn't that much different from when I used to try birth control pills. My anxiety itself may have lessened, but it basically traded itself for depression, and it did not help my hot flashes at all. Maca and Dong Quai actually work better for me. I had more hot flashes on Climara than off. I slept well the first couple of nights, but last night I woke up at 4 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep. I removed nearly all of the patch today (I left 1/4 to see if that will do anything, and also I don't think it's good to go on and off abruptly) and am going back to Maca and Dong Quai. Too bad it didn't work for me."

• Spi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2019

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I take the Mylan estradiol small patches. They are tiny, invisible, and I switch them once a week. I've been taking them for 6 weeks and can't tell if they are doing anything. I do notice that I've gained weight and feel very bloated around my period time. They were supposed to help with sleeping, but I haven't seen that happening. Anyone else experience bloating?"

• mid...
• August 10, 2017

Estradiol for Oophorectomy "I had a complete hysterectomy, but this gave me no relief of hot flashes at all. I feel tired all the time and gained 10 lbs. I have been using the Vivelle Dot 0.05 mg patches for months and thought I would be feeling better by now. Going back to the Dr to get something else because these patches are useless."

• BXB...
• June 28, 2017

For Primary Ovarian Failure "I am 18 and was diagnosed with primary ovarian failure. The patch is okay, but I don't get enough estrogen and have to take an extra pill every day. At first, I gained weight from taking this estrogen, and I got super moody. I have been able to control my mood for the most part, and I don't think I will gain any more weight. If I forget to put a patch on, my hot flashes get really awful. My periods are now about 4 months apart, and the patch was the safest option in case I try to get pregnant. Overall, the patch is alright. I would recommend it to women older than me."

• Sus...
• January 28, 2014

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "Gained weight and joint pain."

• Dre...
• July 26, 2015

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "Cannot use this product, 30 lb weight gain and severe hair loss."