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Evidence summaries

Effect of Peri- and Postmenopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy on Body Weight

Hormone replacement therapy does not cause weight gain. Level of evidence: "A"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 22 studies. No statistically significant difference was found in mean weight gain between those using unopposed oestrogen and those not using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (0.66 kg, 95% CI -0.62, 1.93). No significant difference was found in mean weight gain between those using oestrogen/progestogen therapy and non-HRT users (-0.47 kg, 95% CI -1.63, 0.69). Insufficient data exist to enable meta-analysis of the effect of unopposed oestrogen on BMI. The reviewers found no statistically significant difference in mean BMI increase between those using oestrogen/progestogen and non-HRT users (-0.50, 95% CI -1.06, 0.06). Insufficient data exist to enable meta-analysis of the effect of HRT on waist-hip ratio, fat mass or skinfold thickness.

A study 2 assessed changes in obese HRT-users in resting energy expenditure (REE), autonomic asset, and assessment of oxidative stress in comparison with obese premenopausal women and post-menopausal women without HRT (n= 50 in each three groups). In the HRT-group a significant increase of the sympathetic activity and resting energy expenditure was described. Finally this group showed a notable increment of oxidative stress compared with the others, and utilizing Body Impedance Analysis (BIA) instrument, the free fat mass was increased respect to the fat mass of obese women.

    References

    • Norman RJ, Flight IH, Rees MC. Oestrogen and progestogen hormone replacement therapy for peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women: weight and body fat distribution. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2):CD001018. [PubMed]
    • Monda V, Salerno M, Fiorenzo M et al. Role of SexHormones in the Control of Vegetative and Metabolic Functions of Middle-Aged Women. Front Physiol 2017;(8):773. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords