Anyone on T notice any difference in how long minor infections like a cold or bacterial lasted after T vs before T? And how it felt or how easy or difficult it was to deal with compared to before?
I often hear the term "man flu" thrown around, as well as this idea that females have better immune systems than men and wondered if some of it may be down to hormone levels. I just contracted a spring "cold" myself, from my male S.O.; it happens every year and it takes at least a week for him to fight it off. Me - I'm usually fine again within 72 hours; he gets the cough, the catarrh, the swollen sinuses, the sore throat and I get a mildly irritated throat or sinus but that's about it. Maybe I just have one hell of an immune system, or maybe it does have something to do with the associated chemicals.
My immune system has in general improved since I've been on T, but I don't know if I could say it is entirely related to that. I've made a lot of effort to get healthier overall since starting to transition, so I can't definitively say that the improvements aren't from that.
I got a little fatigued when I first got on T. I'm a little fatigued now, but my doctor thinks that's because my T levels were too high post-hysto. So we're dropping my dose by 20% to see if that helps. I don't think it's any kind of illness or depression.
In general, I usually get sick twice a year when it starts to get cold, and then when it starts to warm up. When I would get really sick, I would usually be down for a week. Now, it's 48-72 hours, tops.
I guess immune system can improve over time... I know that in my college/early uni years, despite being constantly exposed to fresher's "flu" (not always actual flu) all the time I sucked at fighting any of it off. I don't mix a lot with people any more but for some reason when I do get sick I fight it off quicker. That makes no sense to me, but...eh.
If you find you're overall happier and healthier after T then I guess that could be a reason. Stress kinda plays havoc with the immune system, yeah? If you're less stressed and in better condition now for having transitioned, that's encouraging to me.
I've always had crazy good immune system. I used to smoke and eat crap but I never got sick. It's still hard for me to catch anything but that being said, I've had two cases of flu and one proper fever in one year. Nothing major, though, just something I could get rid of with non-prescription meds (the first case did develop into an otitis, though, so antibiotics were needed). I do, however, think it's because I've been more in contact with other people so I've been exposed to that stuff more than before. I wasn't doing so good couple years back so I just mostly stayed home with minimal contact with people.
Seems about the same for me...no noticeable difference, but I am rarely sick, maybe a cold every couple of years.