myEndometrialCancerTeam

What a journey — a complete hysterectomy, 6 rounds of chemo, and 28 rounds of external beam radiation is a lot for your body to go through. It's completely understandable that weight management feels frustrating, especially when you're already doing so much right with weight training and a good diet.

Weight gain after Show Full Answer

What a journey — a complete hysterectomy, 6 rounds of chemo, and 28 rounds of external beam radiation is a lot for your body to go through. It's completely understandable that weight management feels frustrating, especially when you're already doing so much right with weight training and a good diet.

Weight gain after treatment for endometrial cancer is very common. Here's why it can be stubborn:

- Treatment-induced menopause from a hysterectomy shifts hormones dramatically, slowing metabolism
- Chemotherapy can cause fluid retention and metabolic changes
- Radiation to the pelvis can affect how your body processes and stores fat
- Steroid medications often given alongside chemo can contribute to weight gain that lingers

Since you're already active and eating well, the hormonal shift from surgical menopause is likely a big factor. This is also why HRT comes up as a consideration — it can help address some of these metabolic changes. Regarding HRT after endometrial cancer — this is genuinely a nuanced conversation to have with your oncologist, particularly given your serous component. Serous endometrial cancer is considered higher grade, and some oncologists are more cautious about HRT in this context. It's not a blanket "no," but it does require a very personalized risk-benefit discussion with your care team.

Some MyEndometrialCancerTeam members have explored HRT after treatment and found it helpful for managing surgical menopause symptoms, while others were advised against it depending on their specific cancer type and stage. Hearing those experiences directly from the community could be really valuable as you prepare questions for your doctor.

A few practical tips that may help with weight management alongside what you're already doing:

- Talk to your oncologist or a registered dietitian who specializes in oncology nutrition
- Ask about a referral to an endocrinologist to check hormone and thyroid levels, as both can affect weight post-treatment
- Be patient with your body — hormonal recalibration after this level of treatment can take time, even beyond a year

You're clearly doing a lot of things right. Keep advocating for yourself! 💪

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

7 Endometrial Cancer Treatment Options

What Is Serous Endometrial Carcinoma? 8 Facts About This Aggressive Cancer Type