So I should probably bring this up at my next endo appointment, but I've noticed a strange benefit from HRT - I've had a pretty decent reduction in joint pain and discomfort. Same with my shoulders, back, and neck. Even the right side of my jaw hinge, which used to give me a lot of trouble, has quieted a good bit.
The thing is, I'm wondering if this is from the HRT directly, or from me just having way less stress since starting HRT, or some combination of things.
Has anyone noticed anything like this from HRT?
Does anyone know -why- I might have this joint pain reduction?
I have no idea! :D
But I do know that since I started HRT I've lost the fairly chronic hip pain that I had and my knees have stopped creaking when I stand up :)
Sometimes hiding what we are and not being what we want causes stress which tightens muscles and causes aches and pain. Now that we have faced our deamons and have found our true self this stress is relieved and the pain diminishes. Also, the female metabolism in much slower and thus less intense than those high on T and this relaxed mode also relieves stress. There are many wonders ahead - hope they are all positives.
^ ^ ^ ^
THIS!
Joint pain is a huge symptom of anxiety. For many, HRT treats that extremely well!
There is some merit in what the others have said and I would say it would play a part. I do vaguely recall having seen something on this brought up at a gender research group though about estrogen effects on joint pain. I can remember exactly though.
I've heard that estrogen slows down Osteoporosis. Maybe it has something to do with that?
If I remember right, I believe both estrogen and testosterone slow down osteoporosis. Just sex hormones in general.
I've thought maybe that might be what's going on, but I'm only 25. I had way slower development compared to other males, though, and my endo said my testosterone was low compared to average male levels, when I had my initial blood work done.
I wouldn't be surprised if it was all just stress reduction. I have been feeling the best I ever have since I started HRT. My stress has been -vastly- reduced. The osteoporosis point makes me wonder, though. Perhaps I would have needed hormones of some sort even if I wasn't trans, lol.
Quote from: ath on March 10, 2014, 04:52:13 AM
If I remember right, I believe both estrogen and testosterone slow down osteoporosis. Just sex hormones in general.
I've thought maybe that might be what's going on, but I'm only 25. I had way slower development compared to other males, though, and my endo said my testosterone was low compared to average male levels, when I had my initial blood work done.
I wouldn't be surprised if it was all just stress reduction. I have been feeling the best I ever have since I started HRT. My stress has been -vastly- reduced. The osteoporosis point makes me wonder, though. Perhaps I would have needed hormones of some sort even if I wasn't trans, lol.
It's definitely something you should talk to your doctor about next time.
I was on a low dose of HRT for about 5 years, and during that time my joints began to ache more and more, eventually getting to the point that sometimes I could barely get around. However, after getting bumped up to a full transition dose of HRT the joint pain seems to be gone now.
Estradiol does have an effect on tendons and your overall response to pain. Depressed people experience more pain. Estradiol is a major antidepressant.
While looking up what I could realistically expect from HRT I found several places mention that estrogen loosens up joints, while testosterone tightens them, and thus it can ease, help prevent joint pain. Paraphrased from memory, so probably not 100% accurately stated.
Quote from: Colleen♡Callie on March 10, 2014, 11:38:14 AM
While looking up what I could realistically expect from HRT I found several places mention that estrogen loosens up joints, while testosterone tightens them, and thus it can ease, help prevent joint pain. Paraphrased from memory, so probably not 100% accurately stated.
Ah. This makes sense. I've been noticing my feet and hands going out of joint in ways that I've never had problems with before. I wonder if the connective tissue has atrophied but lags behind the muscle atrophy.
According to my transition ledger, since I have been on HRT I have been 7% more likely to feel the need to take an aspirin, now this could be due in part to the new dosage of HRT corresponding with a huge reduction in caffeine (I.e. The one soda a day rule) seeing as caffeine withdraw could easily it. Anyways I have large doubts 3 months from now that the number of NSAIDs I take will be of any greater statistical significance than it was pre this round of HRT.
Quote from: suzifrommd on March 10, 2014, 11:49:58 AM
Ah. This makes sense. I've been noticing my feet and hands going out of joint in ways that I've never had problems with before. I wonder if the connective tissue has atrophied but lags behind the muscle atrophy.
I think it's more related to the physiological differences between male and female. Male muscles tend to be bulkier and more rigid (harder edges). This probably effects the joints, and tendons/ligaments are probably physiologically different in similar ways. Hrt switches the definition to female, softer more subtle muscles, etc. which eases tension on the joints.
This is not paraphrased, but simply my interpretation of it.
Quite possibly we were saying the same thing, I just think of atrophy being something entirely different than what is at play in HRT. Redefining as opposed to withering.
Quote from: Colleen♡Callie on March 10, 2014, 11:38:14 AM
While looking up what I could realistically expect from HRT I found several places mention that estrogen loosens up joints, while testosterone tightens them, and thus it can ease, help prevent joint pain. Paraphrased from memory, so probably not 100% accurately stated.
This is very interesting. Maybe that's one reason that females are often more flexible than males.
Quote from: 930310 on March 10, 2014, 12:12:05 PM
This is very interesting. Maybe that's one reason that females are often more flexible than males.
Would be very likely imho.
Quote from: ♡ Emily ♡ on March 10, 2014, 12:31:06 PM
It is the main reason, AFAIK :). That and having less T, which tends to stiffen everything up.
It's a TIL for me and a sudden clarity. I have thought about it but I've never looked it up.
No clue but definitely worth some investigation and research u may be on to something
I've read many times that being on E makes the cartalige soften up, apparently this is why some people shrink an inch or two on E as the cartalige in the spine compresses more.
Having softer cartalige (did I spell that right??) between joints may be a reason for less joint pain, or I may be way off with that ::)
This all seems to make sense to me. Being one of people in later years here I have over the last few years started to get Arthritis in the knees. After two orthoscopic operations, I have been told that knee replacement is probably the next step. Anyway over the last year I have been on a Low dose of oestrogen, although the dose was doubled after 6 months then doubled again in November last year.
With that after 10 months on oestrogen only ( I managed to get a T level of less than 0.5) below that of CIS females and I noticed that all my joint pain basically had pretty much ceased, plus of course I have been experiencing all the benefits of continuous oestrogen twice a day, such as nicely developing breasts, extra inches on my bottom and thighs, softer skin, silky hair plus re-growth and the sense of complete calm, plus no unwanted morning rises.
I have wanted progesterone as well to give me fuller and more rounded bust, but my GP has not wanted to prescribe it because of my age. The same goes with getting pellet implants.
Anyway in early February I had a health scare and it was suggested I stop the oestrogen for 1 month whilst various Heart investigations were carried out.
I hoping for the all clear this week and it cannot come too soon, because I have been getting really bad pains in my knees from a resurgence of the arthritis and even back pain. Even my ankles have been hurting when I wear high heels.
So I cannot wait to get back to a regular does of oestrogen, although my GP has told me I need to cycle up again, not straight in at the previous dose.
Being a very active 64 year old and 10 weeks on hrt I can definitely say it helps a lot with just about everything. Back pain,joint pain, flexibility, clearer mind, it just goes on and on, I have energy again its like I dropped 40 years off my life and I smile all the time !
Down side I have to pee all the time and need a flashlight and tweezers to find willy :)
Quote from: justpat on March 11, 2014, 04:06:52 AM
Being a very active 64 year old and 10 weeks on hrt I can definitely say it helps a lot with just about everything. Back pain,joint pain, flexibility, clearer mind, it just goes on and on, I have energy again its like I dropped 40 years off my life and I smile all the time !
Down side I have to pee all the time and need a flashlight and tweezers to find willy :)
That's the spirit! What do you train? Running?
All I know is during the last two months and 1 week I've felt the best I've ever felt in my life. After the first few days it was like my body has been starving for this all it's life. I have more energy, stamina, positive attetude, I now look forward to each day (instead of dreading it), And my left hip pains have subsided a little. Also a very wonderful thing is happening to my hair, -it's coming in thicker and growing fast. I can't wait to see what happens in the next ten months. Being up in age myself (I'm 49, I'll turn 50 this Halloween) hrt has made me feel like I'm in my early 30's again. ;)