Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Topic started by: spx_1112 on October 29, 2013, 07:25:09 AM

Title: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: spx_1112 on October 29, 2013, 07:25:09 AM
It has started.  Headache at 6 am.  Excedrin knocked it out.  Slight nausea.  Sensitive and tender breasts and nipples.  Bloaty with elevated temp.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: spx_1112 on October 29, 2013, 12:28:44 PM
Thirsty no real appetite
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Danielle Emmalee on October 29, 2013, 12:32:10 PM
I wouldn't think MTFs would have a monthly cycle unless you modify your dose at certain times of the month.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Beth Andrea on October 29, 2013, 12:32:18 PM
Quote from: spx_1112 on October 29, 2013, 12:28:44 PM
Thirsty no real appetite

Chocolate. I can always tell when it's my "time", I get oddly strong cravings for chocolate.  :P

That, and the severe moodiness.  :'(

I'm glad that I only get emotional periods, without the cramps etc. Sure, they might be psychosomatic, but I don't care.  ^-^
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Kaylee on October 29, 2013, 01:29:37 PM
Quote from: <3 on October 29, 2013, 12:32:10 PM
I wouldn't think MTFs would have a monthly cycle unless you modify your dose at certain times of the month.

I definitely have down weeks>  I get headaches, more emotional and my temper gets more difficult to control.
I do live with a cis girl though, I think that her cycle has an influence on me.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Beth Andrea on October 29, 2013, 01:38:56 PM
Quote from: <3 on October 29, 2013, 12:32:10 PM
I wouldn't think MTFs would have a monthly cycle unless you modify your dose at certain times of the month.

Yeah, that's what I thought too. But, my journal entries suggest otherwise...each month, about the 20th, I get really moody. I started HRT on the 21 of February last year, and it's been pretty consistent. fwiw, I don't even consciously notice it's "that time" until usually after most of it has passed, then I read the journal to see if something happened that may have triggered it. That's when I see (from a month ago) that "Oh yeah, it's probably just my monthly."

There probably isn't a clinical/hormonal reason for it...but it does happen. The mind is a crazy place for us to reside in...
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Northern Jane on October 29, 2013, 03:50:48 PM
I never thought I had monthly cycles since I always took one pill a day, always the same strength. One day (after being married for 6 or 7 years) my  husband informed me in no uncertain terms that I DID have a monthly cycle and it was pronounced enough for HIM to mark it on the calender! OOPS!   ::)
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Sammy on October 29, 2013, 04:08:21 PM
Thank You for this info... I will have to keep an eye on this as I suspect that I might be experiencing something similar around 20-ties of each month...
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: spx_1112 on October 29, 2013, 05:12:52 PM
Emily and others    Keep us posted.  I don't have a temper or get moody.  It's more physical and emotional.  Hugs Shannon
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: spx_1112 on October 29, 2013, 05:13:41 PM
What is everyone experiencing?
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Sammy on October 29, 2013, 05:20:53 PM
I feel more low and depressed at some intervals, but I have not monitored the regularity. Also it tends to happen with me that I start getting physical symptoms too, like feeling slightly ill etc. Also, I get irritated much faster, but I mostly keep that under control as I am much calmer now and can see that coming before it hits me. I might also feel the need to cry with no apparent reason to... Yeah, and the most triggering part usually is getting a bit suicidal :(.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Beth Andrea on October 29, 2013, 05:30:25 PM
Quote from: spx_1112 on October 29, 2013, 05:13:41 PM
What is everyone experiencing?

About a week of severe depression, hopelessness and despair. Before HRT, these feelings were a near-constant companion, almost every night I'd struggle with horrific suicidal urges.

I don't get urges so much anymore, and the major emotional waves always occur around the 20th.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Northern Jane on October 29, 2013, 06:09:04 PM
Quote from: spx_1112 on October 29, 2013, 05:13:41 PMWhat is everyone experiencing?

According to my husband, I became more irritable and closer to tears (usually for reasons he had no reason to suspect). I was not aware of any change in my emotions from week to week and had no idea it was cyclic.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: boddi on October 29, 2013, 06:50:06 PM
I find my emotions and libido vary throughout the month, and its only since starting hormones.  But then this could be a placebo effect, I must admit!
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: spx_1112 on October 29, 2013, 07:18:47 PM
I definitely feel more in touch with my body and the changes.  It might be psychosomatic but I can't deny how I feel physically and emotionally.  It usually lasts three to five days.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Danielle Emmalee on October 29, 2013, 07:22:50 PM
Do you girls notice the phase of the moon when this happens?  Since Beth and Emily both mentioned around the 20th, that is when there has been a full moon for the last few months. 
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Apples Mk.II on October 29, 2013, 07:28:06 PM
DUnno, but I have a few days per month that you don't want to get on my bad side. Anyways, it will come automatically, irritability all the time, nearly cyclical.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Danielle Emmalee on October 29, 2013, 07:29:03 PM
Quote from: Apple Sprout on October 29, 2013, 07:28:06 PM
DUnno, but I have a few days per month that you don't want to get on my bad side. Anyways, it will come automatically, irritability all the time, nearly cyclical.

Keep track of when it happens?
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Apples Mk.II on October 29, 2013, 07:31:14 PM
My co-workers keep track of it... ->-bleeped-<-e will rain anywhere close to me.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: KelsieJ on October 29, 2013, 08:07:02 PM
I definitely have 2 pretty crappy days towards the end of the month like clockwork. Both pre and post estradiol. Oh well :/

LOL!!
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Northern Jane on October 30, 2013, 02:47:45 AM
Quote from: <3 on October 29, 2013, 07:22:50 PMDo you girls notice the phase of the moon when this happens?

I haven't tracked it in recent years but when my hormones were tracked when I was 17, I was on a 27 day cycle. My husband's count was also 27 days when I was in my 30s. Now I don't care LOL!
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: DanicaCarin on October 30, 2013, 03:09:42 AM
I haven't been able to pinpoint a given time where this happens. So I down loaded a period calender/journal app to try and keep a better record of my symptoms and the times they occur.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Skittles on October 30, 2013, 05:00:20 AM
Since I'm intersexed I get a few added twists. My very first cycle I got megga huge cramps. I text a girl friend what to do. I did everything she said and I made it through the night. I woke up and thanked her. She text back "Welcome to female!"

My sixth cycle I got a huge dose of PMS on the third day. I wanted to kill anything that breathed. Having already had two wives with that affliction, I recognized it and knew just what to do. I made a B-line for the pharmacy and bought the Premsin PMS. All good no lives lost.

I then went to my Doctor for a check-up. He asked me to point to the exact location of the cramps, yes just in the right spot. His other trans patients have had similar experiences with PMS, oddly it comes three days in not before as genetic women. He also said be very grateful you don't have severe cramps every month. Oh joy, I get my choice of two, cycles or menopause. I choose cycles, hot flashes make me feel like am going to spontaneously combust. They were the original medical reason for the discovery of me being intersexed.

My newest Doctor ramped my HRT doses to my max, but asked me to stop cycling progesterone. So now I don't have a predictable cycle. I just get random one and two day mini cycles and I become MeggaB. I also have days unrelated of PMS, so my purse is always armed with Premsin. Sometimes great female coding has it's perks, just not on these days. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Hug. Joann
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Ms Grace on October 30, 2013, 05:32:27 AM
Haven't noticed anything for myself but maybe it's too early to tell anyway. I'll keep a note and see if any patterns appear. As of this week I'm now on an E pellet and the dose is even and consistent (so they say) - certainly nothing like monthly injections which had me all over the place last time.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Jenna Marie on October 30, 2013, 07:43:26 AM
I'm on an estrogen patch, which supposedly provides a nice even dose throughout. For me, this is true... as long as I change the patch every 3.5 days. (I switched to Vivelle Dot, which is intended to be used this way.) The experiment with using a weekly patch meant I got wicked PMS for about the last 2 days of the 7. A whole month of that and I was ready to kill someone ALL the time. :) I called the endo and begged to switch.

Apparently, I'm very sensitive to hormone fluctuations. I don't have issues now that it's consistent, though.

Oh, and my wife pointed out that since most cis women don't have a 30-day cycle, it gets out of phase with the month/moon pretty fast - day 9 of this month and a 25-day cycle means next month she's due on the 4th, and so on.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: KelsieJ on November 04, 2013, 10:37:06 PM
Quote from: Skittles on October 30, 2013, 05:00:20 AM
Since I'm intersexed I get a few added twists.

Same here Joann......if u ever need someone to talk to about our uniqueness, drop me a line. We exist, and are very much a part of the community, even though we have unique medical needs from the regular trans* population


XO
Kelsie
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Skittles on November 04, 2013, 11:25:20 PM
Quote from: KelsieJ on November 04, 2013, 10:37:06 PM
Same here Joann......if u ever need someone to talk to about our uniqueness, drop me a line. We exist, and are very much a part of the community, even though we have unique medical needs from the regular trans* population


XO
Kelsie

Thanks Kelsie, I think I have enough posts now to use the messenger. I will drop a line soon. Hug. Joann
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: spx_1112 on November 05, 2013, 07:42:05 AM
How is everyone feeling?  Drop me a line too if you want.  Hugs Shannon
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Nicolette on November 05, 2013, 08:19:14 AM
No monthly cycle in 19 years for me. Which I count as a blessing, really.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: judithlynn on December 07, 2013, 11:18:32 PM
This is interesting as when I transitioned the first time, after 5 months on HRT I moved in to share with a girlfriend. Well after 2 months in the same house I found myself experiencing a matching cycle to her. When she started to get her period, I got all sort of moody and I knew then I should start my progesterone cycle. I was on a 21 day oestrogen and 7 day progesterone cycle back then. After 2 days on progesterone I was back to my happy self, although I remember when we both got hormonal we did a lot of comforting/hugging each other - not sexual, just being really close!
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: jojoglowe on December 08, 2013, 03:22:05 AM
just yesterday my girlfriend said that she thinks i have a monthly cycle and that it matches hers. she said that i usually start to get moody right before she starts her period. we live together :D
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Northern Jane on December 08, 2013, 06:31:17 AM
Having shared accommodations with a large number of women over a period of weeks many years ago it is common for women who live closely with other women to become "in sync" fairly quickly. It is very common.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Oriah on December 08, 2013, 10:25:57 AM
I always had a cycle, even before HRT.  Now after orchi, and on hormones, it's a little different, but no more intense than before.  Me and my partner tend to cycle on the same schedule, but I never put too much thought into it.  Maybe I'll try to start tracking it.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: spx_1112 on December 08, 2013, 05:40:00 PM
I have a monthly cycle without the bleeding but lots of other similarities.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: KelsieJ on December 15, 2013, 06:49:38 PM
Quote from: jojoglowe on December 08, 2013, 03:22:05 AM
just yesterday my girlfriend said that she thinks i have a monthly cycle and that it matches hers. she said that i usually start to get moody right before she starts her period. we live together :D

That makes a lot of sense.......my girlfriend is in full moon fever right now and I'm really really down - which is unusual for me because I'm usually so upbeat :/ Oh well
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: calico on December 15, 2013, 07:37:04 PM
This topic is very interesting and I to experience "that time of the month" or as some friends have referred to it as stay away or die time, have had cramps , still at times. fairly irritable/likely to let my emotions rule my decisions usually bite peoples head. just stuff seems to get to me more and my patience goes to nill and its usually 2-4 days out of the month. Never  really looked at at the phase of the moon...... but varys between the 24 to the 5 of the month in that area anyway.  what an odd phenomenon, lol my bf even noticed and said he usually either keeps his distance (doesn't always work) or he just give me what I want/ spoils me those days.  :-\  after its all over I feel crappy because I get snappy and end up trying to apologize to a person who understands and isn't worried bout it. :-\   still feel bad however
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: FrancisAnn on December 15, 2013, 08:05:45 PM
Quote from: Jenna Marie on October 30, 2013, 07:43:26 AM
I'm on an estrogen patch, which supposedly provides a nice even dose throughout. For me, this is true... as long as I change the patch every 3.5 days. (I switched to Vivelle Dot, which is intended to be used this way.) The experiment with using a weekly patch meant I got wicked PMS for about the last 2 days of the 7. A whole month of that and I was ready to kill someone ALL the time. :) I called the endo and begged to switch.

Apparently, I'm very sensitive to hormone fluctuations. I don't have issues now that it's consistent, though.

Oh, and my wife pointed out that since most cis women don't have a 30-day cycle, it gets out of phase with the month/moon pretty fast - day 9 of this month and a 25-day cycle means next month she's due on the 4th, and so on.
Jenna, I use the same patches, spiro & some Fin.   I've never noticed any cycle at alll, ?????
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Ashey on December 15, 2013, 08:23:45 PM
I'm only two months into HRT but around the beginning of this month I had symptoms. I was irritable and generally moody, my tits constantly ached, I had lower abdominal/testicular aches/pains, and all I felt like doing was curling up and cradling my sore boobs. If it happens again around the beginning of next month, I'll assume I have a cycle.. >_>

Right now, middle of the month, I feel relatively 'balanced' and not particularly sore. *shrugs*
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: Jenna Marie on December 15, 2013, 08:29:11 PM
Francis Ann : Yes, that's what I said, I don't notice any cycle at all either? At least not on Vivelle, and not when I'm changing patches twice a week. (And before that, I wasn't trying to say I had a *monthly* cycle, just PMS-like crankiness once a week.)
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: LordKAT on December 15, 2013, 08:32:16 PM
28 day cycle usually or close to it.  I can always tell from the use of hygiene boxes when cleaning bathrooms.
Title: Re: MTF: monthly cycle
Post by: spx_1112 on December 16, 2013, 05:50:52 PM
Ashley.  Thanks for the updates.  Keep us posted on your progress. Hugs