Hormone Testing

[RedheadWhovian]

Sadly, today was a discouraging day. I read up today all on those who take HRT, who are actually cis, and how it is very likely to cause gender dysphoria, and a feeling of wrongness.

I'm four months on hormones now, and while I like some changes, I HAVE found that I have less emotion about everything lately, and that I sometimes feel awkward, or weird. This seems to be at its strongest shortly after my nightly spiro take. I do estrogen and spiro in the morning, and just spiro at night. I'm really scared. If I'm feeling some of these side effects that I hear are red flags then what should I do? should I stop? :/ I do miss having more emotion about things. Some of the side effects ARE nice, like my increased sensitivity, and some body changes. But I still feel weird, and very doubtful about this at times. :/

[Mariah]

It can happen. Emotion is all just tied up in hormones. I didn't have a lot of emotion early into hormones either. It came more after working through things and opening up myself to feeling. Hugs
Mariah

[RedheadWhovian]

It can happen. Emotion is all just tied up in hormones. I didn't have a lot of emotion early into hormones either. It came more after working through things and opening up myself to feeling. Hugs
Mariah

Oh really? You experienced long periods of no emotion? Or felt numb, or with no passion?

[Ms Grace]

HRT is no panacea to all that ails you. If you are having doubts just being on HRT won't solve that. Given you are still mostly experiencing life in male mode it can be very difficult to discern your life on the other side of transition. Quite a few people go through that, try stopping and then realise how terrible they feel then go back on HRT. A lot of people do that with certain other medications, stop taking it because "they feel better now" but the problem comes back when they stop. You need to get to the bottom of these "weird awkward" feelings and what they mean to you.

[Mariah]

I had expected that once I started emotions would just flow freely. It wasn't the case. I wouldn't say I was numb, but in some way I suppose you could describe it that way. Emotions are affected by hormones, but in and by themselves. As, Grace stated, if you have doubts HRT won't fix those. Hugs
Mariah

Oh really? You experienced long periods of no emotion? Or felt numb, or with no passion?

[Rachel]

Hi,

You are taking estrogen pills and E in your system can become low in the evening. You might want to discuss with your doctor about splitting your E dose to Morning and evening. Also, many docs start patents on a low dose of E. You may want to discuss that with your doctor too. Give your body a chance to change from T to E, it takes time. If your T is "high" then  E will not be very effective. Discuss your T levels with your doctor.

Rachel

[RedheadWhovian]

HRT is no panacea to all that ails you. If you are having doubts just being on HRT won't solve that. Given you are still mostly experiencing life in male mode it can be very difficult to discern your life on the other side of transition. Quite a few people go through that, try stopping and then realise how terrible they feel then go back on HRT. A lot of people do that with certain other medications, stop taking it because "they feel better now" but the problem comes back when they stop. You need to get to the bottom of these "weird awkward" feelings and what they mean to you.

Yeah, I definitely do! Is it possible that maybe my T is too low? My doctor has said that can be a source of low emotions. It's currently at 30. I apparently swapped pretty quickly. Haha

I had expected that once I started emotions would just flow freely. It wasn't the case. I wouldn't say I was numb, but in some way I suppose you could describe it that way. Emotions are affected by hormones, but in and by themselves. As, Grace stated, if you have doubts HRT won't fix those. Hugs
Mariah

Thank you so much for your help!

Hi,

You are taking estrogen pills and E in your system can become low in the evening. You might want to discuss with your doctor about splitting your E dose to Morning and evening. Also, many docs start patents on a low dose of E. You may want to discuss that with your doctor too. Give your body a chance to change from T to E, it takes time. If your T is "high" then  E will not be very effective. Discuss your T levels with your doctor.

Rachel

That's kinda what worries me. Cause apparently my estrogen levels have already basically taken over testosterone. So why would I be feeling less emotional, and uncomfortable at times?

[ryokohimura]

This is interesting.

My experience has the exact opposite. Though I can see this being a thing. I've read somewhere low testosterone levels have caused depression in men. Maybe someone can comfirm this or tell me I'm totally wrong. Having been severely depressed in the past, I'm hesitant to say this was my case. Since beginning my HRT...heck since coming to terms...I question that being the right route for me. As MsGrace said it's going to be very different for everyone. Week one I was having severe panic attacks. Turns out, I can't live on caffiene the way I was.

Bring this up with a therapist if your seeing one.

[RedheadWhovian]

This is interesting.

My experience has the exact opposite. Though I can see this being a thing. I've read somewhere low testosterone levels have caused depression in men. Maybe someone can comfirm this or tell me I'm totally wrong. Having been severely depressed in the past, I'm hesitant to say this was my case. Since beginning my HRT...heck since coming to terms...I question that being the right route for me. As MsGrace said it's going to be very different for everyone. Week one I was having severe panic attacks. Turns out, I can't live on caffiene the way I was.

Bring this up with a therapist if your seeing one.

I will, thank you! Just so worried this is all leading up to me backtracking. This made all the sense in the world when I began.