Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: amy2003 on May 29, 2008, 10:51:01 PM

Title: Mood swings with HRT?
Post by: amy2003 on May 29, 2008, 10:51:01 PM
I am experiencing astronomical mood swings, so much so that my doc prescribed an anti-depressant.  I hate anti-depressants, although I have never taken any.  But with the violent anger, deep depressions, loud outbursts, and tendency to hurt my genitals which is derived from my inability to obtain surgery, I am at odds at what to do.

After four years of HRT, I am not always good about what time I take my twice daily doses.  The first is almost always at 7:00am (when I leave for work) except on the weekends when it can be closer to 10 or 11 am.  The second dose should then come at 7:00pm, but it almost always comes somewhere between 9-11pm (when I get home from work).  Has anybody experienced problems from this?  I am wondering if I could attribute my mood swings to this?  I was varying my doses once before and experienced the same sort of mood swings.  Just not enough evidence to tell if it related or not.

I filled the prescription for Zoloft.  I don't want to take it.  I want to fix my life without it.  I just don't know if I can.

Amy
Title: Re: Mood swings with HRT?
Post by: Elwood on May 29, 2008, 11:38:06 PM
Estrogen? Absolutely. And testosterone increases aggression. Both have pretty emotional side effects.
Title: Re: Mood swings with HRT?
Post by: taru on May 30, 2008, 01:06:28 AM
What kind of HRT do you take?

For me adjusting estro dosage and adding progesterone helped to stabilize mood swings.
Title: Re: Mood swings with HRT?
Post by: NicholeW. on May 30, 2008, 01:14:20 AM
If you are going to try to stabilize mood swings with progesterone use the micronized variety not the medroxyprogesterone. The second tends to elevate mood swings. And yes, either T or E can exacerbate or cause mood swings.

Nichole