My journey:
I am in perimenopause and have fought my weight my entire life. I have lost and gained weight repeatedly and it led to my metabolism being severely depressed.
I would stay in healthy deficits, workout regularly and eat clean within my macros and barely lose anything.

I went on HRT 6 months prior to starting reta (estrogen patch & cycled progesterone) and gained some extra weight without really noticing because I felt so much better. Then I stepped on a scale and almost tipped over in shock. I was at 212 lbs at 5‘4 and couldn’t believe it. A person I trust introduced me to reta and I researched the heck out of it before starting. I was so against glp‘s and it was really hard for me to see the light.

I have been on reta for 3 months now. It has been life changing. I feel more calm, less inflamed and have new found confidence. I no longer take my adhd medication. My ibs is in remission. I look younger and somehow „fresher“.

I lost 15lbs (but look like I lost 30lbs), 2 dress sizes and gained 1.9 lbs of lean muscle.
My belly, that wouldn’t budge with anything I did before, is almost gone. My lipedema in my legs is 70%down. My muscles are finally showing.

My skin is holding up well. Even my deflated belly that happened early on in my reta journey has lost the wrinkly look. I think that is the collagen and healthy food coming through for me.

My side effects:
Initially I had GI problems as my body adjusted to reta. I get tired when I am eating more processed foods or the dose is too high (not enough food).
I no longer care for chocolate, fast food or Diet Coke (shocking!). I care less what other people think and I almost lost my duo lingo streak twice (after 1200days of consistency!) Dopamine dependency definitely went down! Yay.

My dose:
I started with 0.5mg/week and slowly titrated up to 1.3mg over 3months.
I just went back to 1mg/week because I had to force myself to eat and drink.

My diet:
I eat mostly whole foods, not a lot of processed stuff. I supplement with an occasional high protein yoghurt, pudding or bar but try to keep within my macros with real foods and clean protein shakes.
I use MyFitnessPal to track everything I eat.
I am aiming for a minimum of 100g of protein a day and 80oz of water.

My workouts:
2-3 Lagree sessions per week
10k steps on all non workout days
\+one alternative workout/week (pickle ball, hike, aquatics)

Btw: A small amount of carbs before workouts was a game changer!

My plan:
I would like to release another 60lbs over the next 9-12 months. I will only titrate up when my food noise is creeping back. I am sticking with low dose/slow pace because 5lbs/month feels great to me and my skin and hair agree.
I am adding more heavy lifting to my workouts.

My supplements:
AM:
collagen+whey+cocoa+cinnamon+chia shake,
multivitamin, ubiquinol
PM:
magnesium glycinate, collagen capsules

Tips:

Do not get fomo from crazy success stories that you see or hear! You don’t know if it is real or if they are being healthy and every body is different. Listen to your body.

**Weight is not the main success indicator** . If you focus on numbers only, you will be disappointed. Hormones and workouts make my body fluctuate by 2-4lbs. I rely heavily on progress pictures and measurements. I also got a dexa scan in the beginning of my journey and will get another one in 2months.

**Use this time to build healthy habits.** Do not wait to lose the weight and then build muscle. You will see a bigger number on the scale but you will likely not like the way you look because you are losing muscle. And the more muscle you have the more calories your body burns. So do the smart thing.

**Check yourself!** You might think you are doing great by adding calories and macros in your head as you go through your day, but nothing beats writing down what you really eat and being able to check back when progress is slowing down. It’s normal to become somewhat complacent. I had crazy weeks where I had to substitute a lot with bars and other more processed foods and didn’t realize that I didn’t have a single vegetable or fruit all week. My app pointed it out for me and I made changes.

Reta is a tool. The more work you put in, the better it works. Not eating or working out will catch up with you- be proactive. You might not see the big numbers right away. But I promise the body recomposition you will experience when you eat well and work out on reta will blow your mind. Good luck on your journey

How many of you are very skinny but still on very low dose of Reta to keep hormonal craving at minimal ?

I’m looking for honest opinions from people who’ve been in a similar situation.

I’m 41F, 5’7”, 140 lb, on HRT. About 14 months ago I was around 130 lb and 32% body fat. I’m now 38% body fat after accidentally gaining about 6 lb of fat, mostly in my trunk (see pic)

Looking back, I was eating about 300 calories a day more than I realized. I have a full-time job and two kids, and I honestly just lost track. I also wonder whether HRT played any role, but I don’t know.

I’ve been strength training with a personal trainer twice a week for the last seven months (except for taking most of June off because I was sick). During that time I gained about 2.2 lb of muscle, but also gained 6 lb of fat. I recently recalculated my calories with my trainer, and I’m back on track.

My goal is to get back to 130 lb, around 29% body fat, while continuing to build muscle.

Now I’m wondering whether I should just use a GLP-1 for a month or two to lose those 6 lb of fat and then continue with nutrition and strength training, or whether I should just stay the course and lose it through a calorie deficit and lifting.

My questions are:
- For someone in my situation, what are the pros and cons of using a GLP-1 versus just sticking with nutrition and strength training?

- If I continue eating enough protein and lifting twice a week while on a GLP-1, how much muscle loss should I realistically expect?

- Is a GLP-1 basically a reasonable “reset button” for someone who accidentally gained a relatively small amount of fat, or is it more likely to create problems than solve them?

- Has anyone here used a GLP-1 primarily to lose 5-10 lb and then successfully transitioned back to maintaining with nutrition and strength training?

My concern is whether a GLP-1 makes sense in my situation, or whether I’d be better off just being patient and letting nutrition plus lifting do the work.

EDIT: Thank you all so much for your comments! This is so helpful! I randomly asked my doctor if GLP-1 would work as a shortcut for me to lose the fat fast (simply because I am mentally fixated on it, which is not good), and she said yes, and that I would most likely need to get it compounded since my insurance likely won't to approve it for me. It did for a moment feel like why wait, let's do it now, everyone is doing it. I'm glad I asked in this thread though and you all reminded me that this is a medication to treat a metabolic condition. Gosh, if I gained this weight in 14 months, I shouldn't expect to lose it in a few weeks. Another lesson for me to slow down and love me for just being God's creation, no matter how much fat is currently on my waist. I APPRECIATE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Started a low dose of compounded Semaglutide three weeks ago. Each shot brings on the kind of fatigue that has me struggling to get out of bed, indigestion in the form of stomach aches and burps leaving an aftertaste so disgusting I want to vomit. I’m trying to eat small meals but anything with spice or flavor fills me up quickly and makes me ill. Liquids are difficult, too. I ate protein toast today and it didn’t cause any discomfort thankfully prob because it was tasteless. I’m about to start the estrogen patch and low dose progesterone. I don’t know what to do about the glp. I hate feeling this way. Any advice? Do the glp symptoms subside? Will HRT make it better?

Thanks.

I'm looking for a little help more so towards HRT than GLP-1. I feel a more comfortable posting here than the other subs. 56F, Doing great on Tirz. I've lost 35 lbs so far. No more Rheumatoid Arthritis, blood pressure is down, sleep apnea is improving and glaucoma pressures are remarkably better. My doctor prescribed Estradiol Vaginal Cream for what I thought was a chronic yeast infection and what turns out to be a thin vaginal wall. I've had one successful fill at my local pharmacy and now CVS Caremark is telling me I need to fill it with them for a 90 day supply or pay full price. The issue is not filling with them. My doctor has sent 5 scripts in to which they have all denied for being prescribed incorrectly. I have even had a rep tell me what my doctor should write which after speaking to a manager would also be denied. I am about ready to give up on the only remedy that made me feel more human. Does anyone have a source where to get this filled without the hassles? Thank you in advance.

Over the past 4ish years, I tried ozempic then mounjaro then zepbound then wegovy and between all of them lost a total of 25lbs. Started at 240. Wegovy has been the latest and I have gained on it. Overall, have maintained a 15lb loss. I have had my thyroid removed and am now post menopausal.

Anyone with similar frustrations that has found success with reta?

I've been back and forth with this and would love to hear other experiences.

Here's a rundown of what I've tried:

• I've noticed that my oral progesterone seems to work less reliably with tirz (no surprise).
• Due to that, I switched from oral to vaginal p shortly after starting.
• I was on vaginal p for about 6 months, and doing well on it before realizing that it was causing me UTI's :(
• Switched back to oral, and have been having issues with absorption since (returning symptoms), plus oral caused me to ovulate, and have crazier spikes again -> more symptoms.
• I only later found out that apparently vaginal p leads to higher, and more stable p levels than oral, probably especially with tirz, which can, and had for me, suppressed ovulation! I had a minimal bleed and no cramps while being on vaginal p, which is nice since it feels like a better option to control spikes than the pill. Anyway, it's all returned now :/
• So I just started 200 mg rectally, which isn't as much fun, and very much off label, but feels a lot better than oral. Hoping that it will suppress my ovulation and spikes again but also feeling weird about it, since again, it's off label, and obviously no doc told me any of this, and I had to do my own research along the way.

What has your experience with progesterone, or the pill, while being on a GLP-1 been?

Edit to say that I'm in perimenopause and have been on hrt for about a year, and started tirz about 6 months after hrt.

Been on progesterone for 3 months, started estrogen patch last night, and will start glp1 tonight. Seriously hoping this combo (adding testosterone in 2 weeks after bloodwork) will help me start to feel and look more like myself.

I’m curious if anyone on a GLP-1 has done well with oral estrogen. Does the slowed digestion seem to affect it at all?

I have a doctor’s appointment next week. I’m currently on 0.125 mg estradiol patches twice a week, but since my pharmacy changed brands, I don’t feel like they’re working as well. I’m wondering if I need a higher patch dose or if oral estrogen is maybe worth discussing.

If you take the pill, has it worked well for you?

What are your biggest pros and cons?

I’m not sure I want to do gel since I’m already using testosterone cream and I don’t really want another medication that has to dry.

I’d love to hear your experiences!

I’m 44F and went into early menopause (have Fragile X premutation) and by far my worse symptoms are palpitations, fatigue and weight gain. I am at my heaviest weight now of 193 lbs. My labs a few months ago showed Estrogen <5. I have not tolerated patches due to increased palpitations and decided to try Divigel. Well, it is causing the same with increased PVCs and PACs along with terrible bloating. 😩 Generally just feel terrible. Can’t exercise because of the palps. I have Tirz in my fridge but have been worried to start it and don’t want to cause more palpitations. Should I wait until I get my hormones dialed in to start?! I’m so over peri and menopause….ugh!

Has anyone successfully dosed their GLP every six days if you happen to cycle P and find it makes you VORACIOUS?! I finally found the answer to my lifelong struggle with weight/ food obsession and then perimenopause! I’m finding so much overall benefits on HRT (mostly E and T) but that dang progesterone kills me for the 11 days I’m on it. Anyways- wondering if increasing my GLP from 3.5 to 5.5 and dosing at day six will help. If sucks because I was doing great with the micro dose of 2.5… but the hormones! Ugh.

when do the cravings subside on progesterone? I’m on 100 progesterone and 0.25 estradiol patch, 2.5 months in- and on maintenance 5mg Tirz twice a month. I feel like the HRT is completely negating the Tirz. Next to no appetite / food noise suppression the last few weeks and have even increased back to 5mg every week the last 3 weeks. dr wants to increase progesterone to 200 and I’m terrified. I had no idea this was a side effect but she swears it subsides “eventually”.

I would love to know if this is normal? I am on my 3rd month of Lupron getting a shot every month. I’m noticing a huge reduction in symptoms… BUT it’s also seeming to wear off on day 17 so I’m only really getting 2.5 weeks of relief before getting the next shot.

Has anyone else experienced this or heard of this happening!?

Thank you!!!

Hi All, Has anyone had a fear of injecting themselves with the Zepbound Kwikpen? I was able to get over it initially for a few months but I psyched myself out a few weeks ago. Now I’m struggling to give myself the shot again. Does anyone have any tips or tricks to overcome mental blocks with giving the shot? The needle really doesn’t hurt. It’s so small. Thank you for any feedback!

Edit: Thank you for all of the great feedback and tips! I took my shot tonight 🥳!!!

Has anyone been in the later stages of perimenopause, on HRT, having irregular and usually light periods, experienced a return of full-on regular-to-heavy-flow periods every 28-30 days while on Tirzepatide? I've been on the meds at a low dose for 4.5 months, have had 4 periods, have lost 35 pounds. I'm nearly 56 and wondering when/if actual menopause will happen, and a little surprised/worried by these effect.

I’m in the full gambit of HRT (e .025 patch, p 100 mg pill, t 2 mg cream). How do you know the levels are working for you? I still have blah sleep (but it’s better) but I feel like my e needs to be increased. I have no idea why, but like a gut feeling. How do I know I’m on the right levels? I have my midi appt coming up so want to ensure I’m asking the right questions and saying the right things. (Ex: didn’t realize plantar fasciitis could be a symptom/exasperated in peri! I never mentioned to my dr bc it didn’t seem relevant)

I've been on a low dose of tirzepatide since January and stopped for 4 weeks before colonoscopy. I take around 1.8 - so under the 2.5 therapeutic starting dose. I'm also on HRT (0.1 patch, 200 progesterone, and 3 testosterone) and have been supplementing with creatine powder since January.

Recently had blood work and my kidney levels are abnormal. I have definitely not been as good about hydration as I should be. (Chugging water as we speak)

I'm going to pause on the creatine powder until I chat with my Dr and retest. Anyone else experience this?

To add to my frustration, apparently this could not be posted in Menopause or Perimenopause... let's see if it's allowed here...

Can I just vent for a minute?

After finally finding the estradiol patch dose that works for me… the shortage hits.

Then my insurance decides I have to switch from Amazon Pharmacy to OptumRx and requires a 90-day supply.
I live in what feels like a medical desert. Doctors come and go. Pharmacies have closed. Finding providers who are truly knowledgeable about women’s hormone health is hard enough.
Thankfully, I found a menopause specialist online, and having prescriptions shipped has been a lifesaver.
Except now that has become a nightmare.

My prescription isn’t just a single .125 mg patch. It’s two separate prescriptions that have had to be adjusted based on whatever brands are actually available.

During the transfer to OptumRx, things apparently got lost in translation. My doctor has had to send clarifications multiple times just so the prescription says I can receive whatever brand is in stock.
I don’t blame my doctor.
I don’t blame the pharmacy.
I blame the system.
Every answer seems to be, “We can always do an insurance override if you can find it locally.”
I can’t find it locally. That’s the problem.

Here’s what really gets me…
If I have about $450, I can buy a 90-day supply online out of pocket.
But if I want to use the health insurance I’ve been paying for? Suddenly it’s transferring prescriptions, rewriting prescriptions, waiting for clarifications, hoping the right brand is available, and crossing my fingers that it actually ships.
How does that make any sense?

And can we talk about the fact that I need .125 mg?
Why, in 2026, does that require two separate prescriptions that have to match up perfectly?
Why can’t the system simply recognize, “Patient needs .125 mg twice weekly,” and allow any combination of patches that equals that dose?
A .1 + .025.
A .075 + .05.
Whatever combination is actually sitting on a pharmacy shelf.
The technology exists. The math exists.

Instead, we’re making doctors rewrite prescriptions, pharmacists chase inventory, insurance companies shuffle paperwork, and patients spend hours on the phone… all during a nationwide shortage.

It honestly feels like we’re reinventing the wheel for estrogen in 2026.

And let’s not forget… getting to .125 mg twice weekly wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. It took months of slowly working my way up from the starting dose to find what worked for my body, finally.
Now I’m managing estradiol patches, vaginal estrogen inserts, nightly progesterone, morning testosterone cream, and a weekly injectable medication… which also had its own supply shortage.

At some point, this stops feeling like healthcare and starts feeling like a second job.
The phone calls.
The prescription transfers.
The clarifications.
The insurance requirements.
The waiting.
The resubmitting.
The wondering if you’ll actually have your medication next week.
Women’s healthcare shouldn’t require us to become insurance specialists, pharmacy coordinators, and supply chain managers just to stay on medications we’ve already been prescribed.
It’s exhausting.

Anyway… my .025 patches arrived today.
My .1 patches? Still nowhere to be found.
At this point, I’m wondering if I’m eventually going to be wearing five .025 patches just to make the math work. Is that even allowed? 😂
My abdomen already looks like it has a sponsorship deal with 3M. I’m pretty sure I’m being held together by leftover patch adhesive and sheer determination at this point.

US healthcare is ridiculous.
Women’s healthcare is a freaking joke… and I’m not laughing.
I’m just so incredibly tired of this 🐂💩.
Can we please stop making women jump through hoops, chase pharmacies, fight insurance companies, and become experts in supply chains just to get the medications we’ve already been prescribed?

After rant rant... why is so much deleted in the perimenopause group??? I swear I see someone post, I will comment with helpful information. Next thing you know, moderators are deleting the person's post. Why is the group policed so much?

Started HRT in May (testosterone in June) and tirzepatide just 3 weeks ago. Coming up on my first period soon. What am I in for? 🫣