I've heard both sides of the argument as to whether Estrogenic HRT causes PMS symptoms. On one hand, people say that yes it does, while on the other hand I've heard that it doesn't, or that it doesn't unless you take it incorrectly. Can somebody help me clear this question?
I'm not sure, but it certainly feels like it sometimes.
It depends on your doses. PMS is just your body's reaction to the levels of regulating sex hormones. So yes you will have a version of it. For some people it's more pronounced than others, which is part of the reason for a debate. You're more likely to see it more with IM than pills and patches.
I was taking E every 7 days when I stopped 10-12 days later I was in the worst pissy mood ever. Looking back - Yeah unless you keep a steady dosage I believe you will get PMS symptoms. Some people who were taking E every 14 days would experience moodiness near each shot changed to weekly because of it.
I have always been on pills and my dosage put me in the lower portion of the menopause range. Emotionally HRT never affected me but when HRT was discontinued, I had hot flashes big time for a couple of years. I may have been a bit emotional after GCS but I was going from male level testosterone levels with a little estrogen mixed in to nothing. In my case, I was just more sensitive emotionally and felt hurt over things that shouldn't have bothered me.
PMS occurs when estrogen (or testosterone) levels DROP. Not taking enough estrogen to replace the lost testosterone from taking anti-androgens will also lead to PMS.