Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Emmaline on July 24, 2014, 11:42:16 PM

Title: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: Emmaline on July 24, 2014, 11:42:16 PM
So I braced myself for massive weight gain as my metabolism shifted,  but I am surprisingly going the other way.

A large part of this I can put down to relief from depression.  Comfort eating, being more energetic and oversleeping less.

However a big factor seems my appetite has vanished.  I struggle to finish two slices of pizza (aussie sized), can barely eat a hamburger where once I would eat mine, chips (freedom fries) and the leftovers of my wifes meal.  Yes, I feel full- but the moment the plate is infront of me my appetite buggers off.

Has anyone else encountered this?  Should I look into it? 

Title: Re: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: Brenda E on July 25, 2014, 01:15:53 PM
I've experienced only the opposite, as have many others, although my sample size is relatively small when drawing that conclusion.  Sounds like an unusual - although positive? - side effect of the medication. :)

Provided you're still consuming enough calories to maintain weight (or lose a healthy amount per week), and your diet is balanced and you're getting good nutrition, I see no reason to worry.  Ride that wave as far as it'll go.  But rapid weight loss or a greatly-diminished appetite over a longer period of time would be a good reason to visit the doc to get checked out, just in case.

The body takes a little time to adjust each time hormones are added to the mix.  I wouldn't worry right now (especially as you have a logical explanation: the loss of appetite is really just the loss of the need to "depression eat") but I'd keep an eye on it.
Title: Re: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: luna nyan on July 25, 2014, 05:44:21 PM
Opposite.

I feel like a teen again - always ravenous.  But I'm gaining weight thats going to all the wrong places.  >:(

Just keep your diet balanced and you'll be fine.
Title: Re: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: Ms Grace on July 25, 2014, 05:53:49 PM
I'm the same Emmaline, must be the Dr H special. I put it down to a lot less emotional eating for starters. As for the appetite, it may just be that your body no longer has an appetite for as much of that kind of food as it did when it was running on T only.
Title: Re: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: Emmaline on July 25, 2014, 07:56:13 PM
Lol.  'The doctor H special' sounds like a magic potion!  (To any girls reading in, no- it is the usual 'mones and doses).

Heh, maybe its our hormones being effected by whatever secret substances the government are putting Sydney water.

Your getting the x-ray vision too, right?
Title: Re: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: KayXo on July 25, 2014, 08:17:00 PM
Some notice decreased appetite on bio-identical progesterone or temporary increase when the relaxing effect kicks in. Some increased appetite on estrogen although some studies suggest that estrogen affects the body in a way to reduce appetite and weight gain in general so that when levels decline, we get hungrier and gain fat more easily. Could be psychological reasons to it as well from the relief of finally being on the right path, being YOU, etc and not overeating for emotional reasons.
Title: Re: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: Ms Grace on July 25, 2014, 10:09:57 PM
One thing I noticed personally was that my anti depressant medication also reduced my appetite, so maybe a combination of the two...?
Title: Re: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: luna nyan on July 25, 2014, 10:54:00 PM
I still love my carbs and curries.  Makes weight loss hard.  :(

Dr H is a sweetie.  Dunno about the special - we're just trying to keep me out of Arkham Asylum...
Title: Re: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: Emmaline on July 25, 2014, 11:05:57 PM
Don't worry about Arkham- place has revolving doors by all accounts.

Seriously.  I watched my wife eat nachos.  Nachos.  Not a blip of hunger.

Title: Re: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: luna nyan on July 25, 2014, 11:11:46 PM
Quote from: Emmaline on July 25, 2014, 11:05:57 PM
Don't worry about Arkham- place has revolving doors by all accounts.

Seriously.  I watched my wife eat nachos.  Nachos.  Not a blip of hunger.
How.  could. you?

No way could I resist.  My gastronomic capacity knows no bounds!
Title: Re: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: Brenda E on July 26, 2014, 01:21:44 AM
Revisiting this, I think you might be onto something with the idea that once you're on the correct hormones, prior eating problems/disorders can be lessened.  Prior to starting HRT, I was crazy fixated on watching my weight and getting it as "female" as possible (which really meant skeletal), and I ate next to nothing in order to force myself to get skinny.  Now on HRT and feeling far more adjusted mentally, I don't have that urge to starve myself anymore (in part because I want to put weight on to get some curves), which could make me feel like I'm suddenly "overeating".
Title: Re: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: Emmaline on July 26, 2014, 06:41:26 AM
Wow, I never considered the overlap between gender dysphoria and eating disorders before, past explaining how it feels to look in the mirror must be like anorexics seeing themselves as fat.

I got skinny once- hated my body, got super fit... aaaand hated my body.  I simply had no idea what caused it.

I ate a decent amount of 'about life' lasagne salad today, weetabix (shipped in from uk) and most of a blueberry bagel.  I think I will live.
Title: Re: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: FrancisAnn on July 26, 2014, 06:56:41 AM
I seem to eat less & eat better type foods when on my HRT. I know for me that I just feel better about myself with HRT & want to take better care of myself.
Title: Re: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: Hikari on July 26, 2014, 07:04:59 AM
I have been eating smaller portions, and I am getting full much quicker...it is hard to be sure of the cause for me since there are so many things interacting from lifestyle changes to hormones to psychology. It also does fell like progesterone makes me get full easier and make me want protein more. I don't understand but those cinnamon buns look much less appealing for breakfast now than bacon and eggs do... I also noticed some much weirder cravings too, (I need to eat salmon and pickles for dinner tonight sort of weird).
Title: Re: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: Emmaline on July 26, 2014, 07:32:14 AM
Yeah, craving nori.
Title: Re: Appetite loss on E, spiro and progesterone
Post by: Emmaline on July 26, 2014, 07:34:42 AM
Omnomnom.

okay.  That's fixed.