I have been on HRT (Estradiol, Spiro and Provera) a little over 4 months. I have noticed a cycle that mimics a cis woman's and can pretty much pin point when I will have my bitchy week. I get emotional and bloated and feel gross.  This month I started to have cramping this was new and was wondering if anybody else was experiencing the same thing.

~Rea

I can be bitchy by instant re-call, no cycles I have noticed 

Though if my hormonal balance is out for whatever the reason, I get both bitchy and a cry baby. Just girlie ->-bleeped-<- we learn to live with - I guess 

Axélle

Even my neighbor has noticed that I cycle.  I have track moods and yes I do cycle.

Yeah. I have one too. Everyone else seemed to notice it first

I remember that I had water retention in my feet, ankles and calves in the first year of HRT. The excess water vanished overnight but accumulated again each next day. I also had an office job and sat most of the time. A couple of times I woke up in the morning with a short but very painful cramp in my right calf but this was only during a phase of longer physical inactivity (no exercise). Don't know if this had anything to do with HRT.

As I said, this was only the case during the first year.

Cramping no but cycle yes as my mood can change at a instance from being miss polite to a queen bitch that shocks some people and eveything inbetween, not thats its a bad thing...

Yes, an emotional cycle but (fortunately) no bleeding...my budget couldn't handle maxi-pads.

Quote from: Beth Andrea on August 20, 2012, 12:03:30 PM
Yes, an emotional cycle but (fortunately) no bleeding...my budget couldn't handle maxi-pads.

or make sure you dont get a urinary tract infection where your blade has a mind of its own the pads are more expensive..

 I don't think I have any sort of cycling related to hormones, myself. I've thought that I have had one, but it's not been completely consistent, so I don't imagine it's anything more than coincidence and imagination.

cramping is due to the Spiro hormones regime messing with your system...it will pass but if the cramping is bad you could try reducing the spiro a bit.

Re the cycling of transitioners this make sense for those people who believe in the HBS and brain sex findings of the Dutch researchers as logocally once the testosterone posioning from the testicles is damped down by the hormones the latent femaleness of the brain will blossom.
This is a very unpopular theory.

On the other hand, spironolactone was developed as a diuretic.  It is potassium-sparing, that is to say, it does not remove potassium from the system in the manner of other diuretics.

Low potassium, and other low levels of electrolytes, have been associated with muscle cramping.  As has dehydration.

With that said, the symptoms noticed by the original poster could have other causes, not associated with spironolactone.

Leg cramps from people using Spiro is so common that its warned about on the official notes with the pills.

Thanks y'all... I've been entertained by some of the responses. My spouse and I can tell what week it it's gonna happen. She has been very informative about how I can go from a totally sweet person to El Diablo in a matter of seconds and then to a crying baby. I'm hoping that sometime in the near future I can manage a little better, for everyone's sake. She said your not able to pick and choose your girl features you just have to deal. Welcome to womanhood!!! I have been asking around with some of my friends and only a couple have noticed a cycle. I guess I'm part of the unlucky few.

I have also heard that the Spiro can cause cramping. I just thought it was leg cramping though. I also find it a little strange that it coincides with that certain time. It probably has to do with water retention or something... Anyhow thanks everyone for your reply's.


~Rea

Quote from: lilacwoman on August 20, 2012, 05:11:49 PM
Leg cramps from people using Spiro is so common that its warned about on the official notes with the pills.

Quite true, Ms Lilac, but as the dosing is constant, the cramping should not be cyclical.

Jamie did you get cramping when you started on Spiro?

No, none at all, but I was on a diuretic dose, and not a transition dose.  I discontinued Aldactone when I was prescribed an increased dosage of Zestril (lisinopril).

I am nevertheless well-versed in Aldactone's pharmacology.  As I am with all of my medications. I am on so many, I have to be.

I've been on HRT(Spiro, Fin, & Estrogen) for 13 months now. I haven't noticed any "cycles" per say, and I haven't had any cramping to speak of. On the other hand, I have had, and continue to have, emotional issues at different times. I'm talking about the crying and stuff, but I've never noticed any pattern to it. Then again, My therapist swore that hormones would have no effect on my brain, and I have been dismissing every weird emotion  to something other than HRT.

A couple of moths into hrt I started getting the bloating, cramps and pretty much everything that a cis girl gets. Except for you know the whole blood thing. It is pretty consistent so far. Not looking forward to it when it comes around again 

Quote from: DaniStarr on August 21, 2012, 04:59:24 AM
My therapist swore that hormones would have no effect on my brain, and I have been dismissing every weird emotion  to something other than HRT.

lots of idiot therapists about.

Rea. I cycle too. Hugs Shannon