Divya Nair Divya Nair Asked 9 months ago

Does estrogen or progesterone cause weight gain?

Lately, I've been struggling to keep my weight in check, and I suspect it might be hormonal. Can anyone tell me if estrogen or progesterone is more likely to cause weight gain?

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5 answers

Suresh Trivedi Suresh Trivedi Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago
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At this age, honestly, even looking at a gulab jamun seems to cause weight gain! But seriously, both these hormones can cause bloating and make your body hold water. It is a constant battle between the two.

Rohan Dsouza Rohan Dsouza Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

Progesterone is usually the culprit for bloating and increased appetite, while low estrogen slows your metabolism. Instead of stressing about which one is doing what, just track your macros and stay in a calorie deficit.

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Nidhi Saxena Nidhi Saxena Joined May 2026 6 months ago

Both hormones affect weight, but in different ways—one causes water retention and the other increases food cravings. If you have sudden unexplained weight gain, don't waste time researching online; just get a hormone panel done and show a gynecologist.

Aditya Rao Aditya Rao Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

I was actually reading about this yesterday because my girlfriend has been having severe PMS bloating. It seems progesterone makes you retain fluid and crave carbs, while dropping estrogen slows your thyroid down a bit. Hormones are so complex!

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Geeta Sharma Geeta Sharma Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

You can try drinking herbal teas like ginger or spearmint to manage hormonal bloating naturally. However, if you are experiencing sudden swelling, pain, or very heavy periods, please don't rely on home remedies and visit a doctor immediately.

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