What does “the pink fog” feel like on hormones?

[Finding Lauren]

Hi,

I'm tempted to take my letter to the doctor.  I'm afraid of taking a big step.
The "pink fog" some report on spiro or estrogen is a big attraction for me.  I feel stressed often with many things, but my gender is behind a lot of it I suspect.
What do you girls mean by the pink fog?  Is is increased empathy, increased emotions, greater interest in puppies and flowers I heard one girl report? 
What do you mean by feeling right?  Is it just lower stress for you?
I'm in my own fog. 



Lauren

[Rachel_Christina]

Fear the Pink Mist D:

[krobinson103]

For me hormones lifted the fog. There is clarity, energy, libido, self love, hope...

Yeah it sounds too good to be true but for me thats how it went. Emotions are stronger and take a bit to get used to but otherwise life is so much better! In addition after a decade of low t and obviously not much e I feel... liberated, alive, I wake up to each day and look forward to it. Even the crappy ones.

[Devlyn]

I thought the Pink Fog was the tendency to overdo the femininity at the beginning of our journeys. A habit of wearing fashions designed for girls, including too much pink.

[Josie_L]

My personal experience.. Pink fog means nothing. You are either a woman or not.
We are who we are, individuals. And strongly believe that personality and feeling does not automatically change
when start taking hormones. If anything, Pink fog may arise right at the start of childhood when realizing who we
truly are and meant to be. x

[KathyLauren]

I had no sense of "pink fog".  Rather, I had the sense of gray fog lifting.  The clarity now is amazing compared to before.

[jkredman]

Please don't take this as negative.  It's not meant to be that way.

Pink Fog means nothing to me.

I started HRT 4 months ago.  I have found a peace with myself that I can't remember ever experiencing.  My spouse, (while still trying to come to terms with me), has acknowledged there is more peace within me now than she ever observed before.

20+ years of antidepressants gave me nothing more than the side effects!!!

Yes, my emotions are more intense.  Yes, I can empathize and relate to people more than the numbness while trying to fake it...  Yes, I'm learning how to deal with more intense negative feelings; on the occasions that they come.

A fog?  No!  I'm now alive - and I refuse to go back!!!!

Kate


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[CynthiaAnn]

Fear the Pink Mist D:

I'll take a spritz or two please 

[Battle Goddess]

Based on my limited experience of E injections, it's more like a blast of pink sunshine

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[Kylo]

In my case female hormones did indeed create a sense of "fog" that was only truly visible with the contrast of masculinizing HRT.

I would describe it as a fog as well, because things are much clearer and compartmentalized now. Focus is easier. The condition before felt like there was no barrier between stimuli and emotional response, one emotion/memory would bleed into another, and there was a lot more anxiety and self-consciousness present, that would tend to interfere with my thoughts. I could think about more things 'simultaneously' and memories would be dredged up more easily with them, but my focus was poorer.

If I had to summarize, estrogen seems to allow a greater degree of connection between emotional response, memory, and preoccupying thoughts. For some this is a good thing, and a new kind of experience. For me, it was a relief for my memories and emotions not to be quite so accessible all the time, and to be able to block everything out and think about one thing only.

[krobinson103]

In my case female hormones did indeed create a sense of "fog" that was only truly visible with the contrast of masculinizing HRT.

I would describe it as a fog as well, because things are much clearer and compartmentalized now. Focus is easier. The condition before felt like there was no barrier between stimuli and emotional response, one emotion/memory would bleed into another, and there was a lot more anxiety and self-consciousness present, that would tend to interfere with my thoughts. I could think about more things 'simultaneously' and memories would be dredged up more easily with them, but my focus was poorer.

If I had to summarize, estrogen seems to allow a greater degree of connection between emotional response, memory, and preoccupying thoughts. For some this is a good thing, and a new kind of experience. For me, it was a relief for my memories and emotions not to be quite so accessible all the time, and to be able to block everything out and think about one thing only.

Having experienced both I think this is a fair description. On T you can 'switch off' emotion and simply act on thought and reasoning. That is to say its not really removed, rather pushed to one side and it will return. I found it often came back as rage or anxiety. For me it was both a blessing and a curse.

I find that e while more distracting is a far better fit. Its a good way to say one size does not fit all! The 'fog' is the brain trying to deal with hormones its not well suited to deal with. Once it gets the right one (be it e or t) the fog lifts and clarity results.

[Ms. Bee]

I was prescribed Norethindrone. Took my first dose on 1-20-19.
I been on E injections small dose weekly. Took my first shot 2-4-19.

I feel like I am in a grey fog most days. I went to do my first round of labs. One of the women in the back commented that "I look pale". I have also experience a loss of energy since i started taking the Anti-androgen (first dose Jan 20th). The lack of energy is noticeable and on-going. I told my endo who sent me in for an extra round of labs to check my thyroid and anemia. Might be depression, everyone else seems to alive after HRT. Is something wrong with me you think?

[krobinson103]

I was prescribed Norethindrone. Took my first dose on 1-20-19.
I been on E injections small dose weekly. Took my first shot 2-4-19.

I feel like I am in a grey fog most days. I went to do my first round of labs. One of the women in the back commented that "I look pale". I have also experience a loss of energy since i started taking the Anti-androgen (first dose Jan 20th). The lack of energy is noticeable and on-going. I told my endo who sent me in for an extra round of labs to check my thyroid and anemia. Might be depression, everyone else seems to alive after HRT. Is something wrong with me you think?

Levels need to stabilize. Once they titrate up and you get used to low t it will all be good again.

[Amoré]

Fear the Pink Mist D:

[Sabrina Rei]

I'm not familiar with this term but, for me, it feels like there's a rhythm in all things that I never quite heard or noticed before and my body and mind has fully connected to it and naturally moves within it. Before HRT it felt quite like I was constantly swimming against invisible currents. 

[pamelatransuk]

Hello again Lauren

Please forgive me but I am another unfamiliar with this term. I thought and still think fog is something not be desired.

The only fog I am aware of mentally is the gray fog -a sense of confusion or the lack of ability to concentrate -which lifted after starting HRT.

I am 13 months HRT. Within a month of HRT I felt a sense of peace and calm. Within 3 months of HRT I knew I was on "the right fuel". Subsequently I was and am able to feel emotions properly and fully; no longer am I just an actress. Previously I was almost devoid of emotions; hence I now truly appreciate them.

Hugs

Pamela

[Finding Lauren]

I'm not familiar with this term but, for me, it feels like there's a rhythm in all things that I never quite heard or noticed before and my body and mind has fully connected to it and naturally moves within it. Before HRT it felt quite like I was constantly swimming against invisible currents.

c

Wow Sabrina,

Getting into touch with the rhythm sounds wonderful. I do feel like I'm swimming against the current, and frustrated.  Like I just don't get it.


Lauren

[Finding Lauren]

Hello again Lauren

Please forgive me but I am another unfamiliar with this term. I thought and still think fog is something not be desired.

The only fog I am aware of mentally is the gray fog -a sense of confusion or the lack of ability to concentrate -which lifted after starting HRT.

I am 13 months HRT. Within a month of HRT I felt a sense of peace and calm. Within 3 months of HRT I knew I was on "the right fuel". Subsequently I was and am able to feel emotions properly and fully; no longer am I just an actress. Previously I was almost devoid of emotions; hence I now truly appreciate them.

Hugs

Pamela

Hey Pamela,

Getting onto the right fuel is the burning question.
"Feeling emotions properly and fully" hit me.  I know I'm missing so much, and the frustration of fighting my inner girl over time just made me even less able to "properly" process emotions. 
I wish I could go on HRT, without the physical changes, so I could hide within an emotionally proper pink mind ... at least for a while.


Hugs right back at you,

Lauren

[Finding Lauren]

Fear the Pink Mist D:

Hey Rachel - you tease,

I don't know which is more fun, the quip from a holder of the "pink mist", or your cute picture.


Doubly teased by feminine mystique,

Lauren

[Jeal]

I was prescribed Norethindrone. Took my first dose on 1-20-19.
I been on E injections small dose weekly. Took my first shot 2-4-19.

I feel like I am in a grey fog most days. I went to do my first round of labs. One of the women in the back commented that "I look pale". I have also experience a loss of energy since i started taking the Anti-androgen (first dose Jan 20th). The lack of energy is noticeable and on-going. I told my endo who sent me in for an extra round of labs to check my thyroid and anemia. Might be depression, everyone else seems to alive after HRT. Is something wrong with me you think?

I also experience a lot of fatigue on Spiro, and when things aren't going well with my spouse I can get pretty depressed.  What else is going on in your life?  Are you getting support? Transition is a huge change, and it puts stress on the body and emotions in a big way.

I find that when I am feeling down and tired fears surface that I am making a big mistake because so many others report such miraculous effects of hormones.   I've also read it is very normal for people to have crises during HRT.  It doesn't invalidate who you are.  We all come into transition with different baggage and different levels of preparation and support. I am having a great week the last several days, but I was very down for two weeks before that.  Partly I think my body was acclimating to almost no testosterone and side effects of Spiro, partly is what the realities of transition and relationship woes.  It's HUGE and scary to me.  I'm expecting many more troughs and bumps.

I'm glad you are talking to your endocrinologist.  You will get through it!

Love, Jael