hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Wondered if anyone has had experiences with hormone replacement therapy HRT after a hysterectomy - especially having to do with weight.  Am on Divigel which is a transdermal hormone -a cream absorbed into the skin.  I am new to this and still not sold on the HRT in general.  My doctor wanted to start HRT after my hysterectomy with removal of ovaries.  I have not had too many issues with hot flashes/night sweats or mood swings.  My primary concern now is weight gain but the possible other side are also worrisome. Any input is appreciated.

There's actually a doctor I went to see a while back who was a hormone and weight management specialist.  She was concerned with the hormone levels of my parents and she was suggesting my mom use a similar cream, I believe.  I think the hormone treatment was supposed to help with the weight-loss.

I had bad experiences with this doctor and she seemed obsessed with helping her patients lose weight, even if it meant compromising their health.  She prescribed me (a sixteen year old at the time) an amphetamine and continued to even long after I was no longer obese and claimed I was delusional when I complained of negative side effects.  Because of this drive to help her patients lose weight, I don't think she would have prescribed anything that would lead to weight gain.

Do a Google search of side effects and research before you start using it.

Since you are relatively young, the hormones help with more than just "menopausal" symptoms.  Mainly, they protect against bone loss.  If you are uncomfortable with using the transdermal cream (basically an estrogen cream) for any reason, you should have that discussion with your physician.  If you don't trust your physician to have this conversation with you honestly, you should find a new physician. However, your concern about weight gain should not be major a side effect. Women experience more weight gain after menopause.  I would suggest you continue with HRT until your age of expected menopause to minimize bone loss and other effects of losing your estrogen supply.  I don't have any personal experience, but I am a pharmacist and have some training in this area. 

Thanks so much for your input.  I actually don't mind the cream - easy to use and absorbs quickly.  I had a long conversation with my MD and I do trust her opinion. She is also concerned with the bone loss, although osteoporosis does not run in my family and effects of no estrogen on the heart.  She could not tell me one way or the other about weight gain. 

When reading the insert for Divigel you get very concerned about the side effects of taking it but not taking it also has risks. 

So I guess I will try it and see.