I have been on hrt for five months as of tomorrow. Until last Friday this had consisted of Estradiol and Spironolactone. Last Friday my OBGYN added Progesterone (Prometrium capsules) to the mix. This seems to be adding up to the perfect storm. Both my wife and I are getting over illness, the weather is bringing on gray, cold and windy days, last Sunday's Transgender Day of Remembrance threw my emotions out the window and today we are fighting like cats and dogs (relatively rare for us) And I added progesterone to my hrt cocktail. Guess what, I am feeling depressed as all get out. My current plans are to create some space between us for healing and rest and stop (at least temporarily) the progesterone for I have heard of it contributing to depression.

Long lead in to my question. Have many of you that are or have been taking progesterone experiencing depression? And if so, was it something that came and passed, is continuing big time or what coping mechanisms have you set up to deal with it? I really appreciate any guidance that you can offer.

Anne Blake

Well I did experience depression with P but it was under the medroxy version. I had been on medroxy for 6 months and my depression went right back up. I switched to prometrium and everything cleared up but you're on the best kind of P so I dont know. But I dont think its solely the P causing that. It could just be the fact that you're still really early in your hrt, like that first year is an intense roller coaster of emotions, things going up and down a lot. Adding on another hormone may add to that intensiveness and if thats whats causing it then yes it'll pass. It takes awhile for your body to get used to things. I went through similar stuff in my first year with everyone around me. Back then I coped by just focusing on my arts, talking things out whenever possible and giving myself space to breathe.

Lady Oracle,

Thank you for the reminder to focus, talk it out and breathe, the obvious are surprisingly easy to forget. And yes, I can relate to the first year being an intense roller coaster ride. - Anne

I actually get anxiolytic, anti-depressant effects from it. Maybe the drop can result in depression/irritability as levels fluctuate quite rapidly, within 3-6 hours. This is why I take it twice daily and might even switch to take it thrice daily (seeing doctor in a couple of days). If you really don't like it, discuss it with your doctor.

micronized may have increased intensity of feelings for me and so when down maybe a little more down.

But the thing is, anything that's influencing neurotransmitters is likely to be different for different people. For me the increase in libido is great for my mood.

I recall getting very depressed on Prometrium, back in the day, and removing it from my regimen certainly seemed to help with that.  But this was also in the throes of transition and a lot of dysphoria, so it's really hard to say.  I'm planning on adding this to my regimen again, soon, so we'll see if that pattern repeats itself. 

never had depression from prometrium. maybe it's just the seasonal blues as it's starting to get colder?

This is a case where you need to discuss it with your doctor. I was on Provera and it made me horny and hungry far more than I was comfortable with. I explained this to my doctor and he halved my dosage. That reduced the effects of Provera to the point were I was comfortable with it. The "standard" dosage isn't right for everybody so if things don't feel right, the dosage many be wrong for you.

Thank you all for your inputs. Transitioning is such a lumpy process with incredible highs and such challenging lows. It does help to express it and just hearing others concerns and well wishes eases it a lot. Thank you all. - Anne

I had some issues on it.  I had to stop because I was getting really depressed on it.  It didn't make that big of a difference.
I'm middle aged and I have to watch my "E" count.  I found that by increasing the dosage a bit (with the help of my doctor of course), I was not getting depressed (and I was off of Prog.). My "E" levels were recently at 126 (I was at 30 before and feeling so tired and no libido).

Hope this helps a bit.
KG

Quote from: KarmaGirl on December 01, 2016, 03:50:29 PM
I had some issues on it.  I had to stop because I was getting really depressed on it.

Were you taking bio-identical progesterone or a progestin such as medroxyprogesterone acetate? Progesterone is also known to have anti-estrogenic effects so that if your E is low, it will further reduce E action.