Key Practice Point
#1
Recommendation
Hormone replacement therapy, whether in the form of estrogen alone or in combination with progesterone, does not lead to weight gain amongst peri- or postmenopausal women.
Evidence Summary
A 2000 Cochrane review of 28 RCTs (n=28,559) found that HRT did not cause weight gain or prevent weight gain related to aging or menopause. A 2023 systematic review including studies published after the Cochrane review (n=10 RCTs) confirmed that HRT formulations do not promote weight gain in the menopause transition or after menopause.
Grade of Evidence A
Remarks
The term “menopause” refers to the permanent end of menstruation. Specifically, menopause is established when 12 consecutive menstruation-free months have passed. “Perimenopause”, or the “menopausal transition”, is the time surrounding menopause, beginning at the onset of menopause symptoms and ending when menopause has been established.