Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: R R H on October 30, 2016, 06:48:12 AM Return to Full Version

Title: Insomnia with estrogen?
Post by: R R H on October 30, 2016, 06:48:12 AM
Hi everyone,

My GiC recently upped my estrogen to raise my level into the therapeutic range. It wasn't a massive increase: around 25%-40% depending on which previous level I was taking.

I'm having a lot of trouble getting to sleep and often quite light sleeps now. So I just wondered if this is a side effect of estrogen?

I don't take any anti-androgens because I have no testicles and zero level testosterone.

x
Title: Re: Insomnia with estrogen?
Post by: Xirafel on October 30, 2016, 07:04:36 AM
I have insomnia, but I'm blaming it on jetlag, even after many weeks.
Well, it's slightly more complicated than that.

If I stay up long enough, I don't feel tired anymore.
Title: Re: Insomnia with estrogen?
Post by: R R H on October 30, 2016, 07:09:10 AM
Yeah similar thing: last few days I have lain awake for ages at night not being able to sleep. I've never had that before  ???
Title: Re: Insomnia with estrogen?
Post by: SadieBlake on October 30, 2016, 07:55:24 AM
No difference for me from before hrt and my initial dose resulted in 3 months at very high estrogen -- 700pg/ml.

I take IM estradiol valerate which means my dose is lower and my estrone levels will be lowered than would be with oral administration of estrogen.
Title: Re: Insomnia with estrogen?
Post by: KayXo on October 30, 2016, 10:21:42 AM
Post-op and on oral E, higher doses resulted in trouble sleeping too. Adding progesterone helped immensely and since I switched to injectable E, problem solved. :)
Title: Re: Insomnia with estrogen?
Post by: R R H on October 30, 2016, 10:56:51 AM
Thanks Kay. That's reassuring to know actually.
Title: Re: Insomnia with estrogen?
Post by: JS UK on October 31, 2016, 07:32:49 AM
I find that I'm having the most incredible dreams and that this doesn't help with sleep as they sometimes wake me up.

Jxx
Title: Re: Insomnia with estrogen?
Post by: judithlynn on October 31, 2016, 10:02:46 AM
Hi Rachel;
I found that about a year ago when my doctor doubled my dose of Estrogen I suffered the same problem. Like you my T is only 0.45 and my Oestradiol levels are consistently above 240. Following advice from a friend I started taking Prometrium last thing at night on a 20/10 day cycling and after two months I have found that since I have taken Progesterone I tend to sleep a very deep and satisfying sleep at night time. These days getting to bed at 120.30 doesn't have me waking before 7.30am.
Best Judith

PS the Prometrium helps with the breasts as well!
Title: Re: Insomnia with estrogen?
Post by: R R H on October 31, 2016, 02:04:52 PM
Thank you Judith so much: that's really encouraging. Last night was better. It's just good to know it isn't just me! I will definitely now look out for the Promethium too.

JS: snap about the vivid dreams! I think that means the sleep is more shallow as REM is a shallower state than deep sleep?