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After four years on patches and a long struggle with maintaining high enough E levels and suppressed T, I switched to estradiol valerate injections on last week. The way I've been feeling since my first injection on Friday strongly suggests that levels are different than they've been on patches.

I often had a subpar night's sleep on the night I applied my new patches. Occasionally, it was two nights. Since I injected on Friday, each of the five nights since then have been the same: feeling warm all night, waking up several times during the night, recalling my dreams, which seemed more vivid. In addition, my breasts seem more full and sensitive.

I googled "sleep estrogen levels" or similar and here's what came up:

"The combination of warmer body temperature and reduced estrogen levels during the luteal phase can leave you with fragmented sleep. This reduces sleep quality and leads to more frequent awakenings—especially during the REM phase. Since you're waking up more often during dreams, you're likely to remember them vividly"

The luteal phase occurs in women prior to their period and is a time of higher estrogen levels. Basically, I'm PMSing and my body is "preparing for pregnancy." Wild.

The "warmth" is definitely something I can feel. Not a hot flash, but an overall feeling of being warm.

So it seems that my E levels might be higher and be sustained at a higher level than previously on patches. I won't know until my next blood test, which will be several months away.

Has anyone else experienced this? Did you go away after you got used to the injections? Did you lower your dose? I'm happy at this sign that my levels might be up but I can't continue to have poor sleep indefinitely. I'd love to hear from others who had a similar experience. Thanks.

Quote from: Courtney G on January 14, 2026, 08:44:03 AMAfter four years on patches and a long struggle with maintaining high enough E levels and suppressed T, I switched to estradiol valerate injections on last week. The way I've been feeling since my first injection on Friday strongly suggests that levels are different than they've been on patches.

I often had a subpar night's sleep on the night I applied my new patches. Occasionally, it was two nights. Since I injected on Friday, each of the five nights since then have been the same: feeling warm all night, waking up several times during the night, recalling my dreams, which seemed more vivid. In addition, my breasts seem more full and sensitive.

I googled "sleep estrogen levels" or similar and here's what came up:

"The combination of warmer body temperature and reduced estrogen levels during the luteal phase can leave you with fragmented sleep. This reduces sleep quality and leads to more frequent awakenings—especially during the REM phase. Since you're waking up more often during dreams, you're likely to remember them vividly"

The luteal phase occurs in women prior to their period and is a time of higher estrogen levels. Basically, I'm PMSing and my body is "preparing for pregnancy." Wild.

The "warmth" is definitely something I can feel. Not a hot flash, but an overall feeling of being warm.

So it seems that my E levels might be higher and be sustained at a higher level than previously on patches. I won't know until my next blood test, which will be several months away.

Has anyone else experienced this? Did you go away after you got used to the injections? Did you lower your dose? I'm happy at this sign that my levels might be up but I can't continue to have poor sleep indefinitely. I'd love to hear from others who had a similar experience. Thanks.

My hematologist was initially planning on lowering my Eliquis dose when I saw her on Friday. I take estradiol in pill form and would have had to switch to transdermal patches in that case. I had a pulmonary embolism two years ago from too high estrogen levels, so I have to take anticoagulants with my estrogen.

She decided that because of what I've been through it's not safe to lower the Eliquis. Different people are going to react to the hormone differently.

I can't say I have experienced this, but I would say definitely talk to your provider about this. You wouldn't want your levels to be too high.

For me, it was a mild headache. Not bad, just annoying. It would start the evening that I injected and sometimes last into the next day. Over time, that slowly diminished, and I do not get that anymore. Give your body time to adjust. If it continues for several weeks, talk to your doctor about it.

Keep in mind that PMS-like symptoms can happen when hormones are fluctuating up or down. Just maintain a steady dose, give your body time, and it should resolve itself.