http://www.theestablishment.co/2016/05/31/yes-trans-women-can-get-period-symptoms/

So for the past three months, at the end of each month I've noticed I've had several period like symptoms that last about a week. I find this very interesting because I haven't really heard much about this, and since there hasn't been a real scientific study done, I was wondering how many people have actually experienced something like this on a consistent basis.

Edit: I didn't write the link, but the link goes into greater detail about what I am talking about.

 This is a very interesting observation. I have been on Oestrogen now for over 3 years and about  5 months ago I started to get what appears to be impossible,  a monthly cycle about once a month of period like symptoms. Typically they seem to last about 5 days. Interestingly when I transitioned before some 30 years ago and was living with my lesbian girlfriend when she got her period I also got similar symptoms.

For me, it starts with soreness and swelling of my breasts along with bouts of nausea in the morning just after I get up. The only thing that quells it is lots of water. Then over the next couple of days I generally get extreme and  painful lower abdominal cramping that generally lasts a few minutes at a time. This is generally combined with nausea, as well as hot flashes, dizziness, and photosensitive headaches.

I also feel very bloated. Finally I get this terrible craving for chocolate. My cycle seems to lasts for about five or six days and it generally repeats roughly every 4-5 weeks, on a regular basis. I must admit as  my body has feminized, the symptoms seems to be more prevalent, although since my GP increased my dosage recently, the effects have somewhat lowered in intensity. The doctor reckons that as my body is now relying totally on Oestrogen as its main hormone, the effects happen when my Oestrogen levels are down. Sort of my body telling me that I need to top up my reserves of Oestrogen.

Quote from: judithlynn on June 05, 2016, 11:14:07 AM
This is a very interesting observation. I have been on Oestrogen now for over 3 years and about  5 months ago I started to get what appears to be impossible,  a monthly cycle about once a month of period like symptoms. Typically they seem to last about 5 days. Interestingly when I transitioned before some 30 years ago and was living with my lesbian girlfriend when she got her period I also got similar symptoms.

For me, it starts with soreness and swelling of my breasts along with bouts of nausea in the morning just after I get up. The only thing that quells it is lots of water. Then over the next couple of days I generally get extreme and  painful lower abdominal cramping that generally lasts a few minutes at a time. This is generally combined with nausea, as well as hot flashes, dizziness, and photosensitive headaches.

I also feel very bloated. Finally I get this terrible craving for chocolate. My cycle seems to lasts for about five or six days and it generally repeats roughly every 4-5 weeks, on a regular basis. I must admit as  my body has feminized, the symptoms seems to be more prevalent, although since my GP increased my dosage recently, the effects have somewhat lowered in intensity. The doctor reckons that as my body is now relying totally on Oestrogen as its main hormone, the effects happen when my Oestrogen levels are down. Sort of my body telling me that I need to top up my reserves of Oestrogen.

That's really interesting! I'm only on estrogen and spriolacatone, and ever since the first month I started, right at the end of the first month about 4 - 5 weeks in, I started feeling a bit bloated and lethargic at times, moody, cravings, and some paint in the lower abdominal area as well. Then after about a week it goes away, and it's been constantly doing that ever 4 - 5 weeks. I absolutely hate when I get the headaches because I just can't focus or concentrate at all and it just feels like time slows wayyyyyyy down with the pain of the headache and the cramps.

I have period symptoms and have a "period" week too. Hugs Shannon

It happens. Odors change as well. As for the nausea, it got so bad, that I quit drinking coffee, once I found out that was a trigger.

Then, there are the times when my mom jokingly accuses me of being pregnant.

I literally just figured out that this was going on with me within the last month. I actually sent a PM about it, and may have mentioned it in a post or two, I can't remember for sure.

Fun stuff. Not...

I've embraced my body and what HRT is doing.  It's for the best. I know that the symptoms are worth it and it makes me feel more feminine and womanly. Hugs Shannon