I'm asking for advice from both trans and cis women.
First off let me explain some for those who don't know much about HRT, trans women don't exactly get 'periods' but still get the monthly hormone cycle. We don't physically have any pain (some uncomfortable stomach cramps but nothing compared to cis periods), but it's pretty much what a cis woman with a removed uterus would go though.
I think I had my first cycle about a month ago and think I'm currently on my 2nd, but I'm not entirely sure. Since I'm also on antidepressants and have ADHD when I miss a couple days of meds (I usually take about 5 of 7 a week on average) my mood fluctuates a lot. I just got really emotional but not exactly sad?
Like yesterday on my drive home I was really attached to the shoes that people hang on electrical wires for some reason and started crying about it. It's just like something that people do and it's really sweet and idk I can't really put it into words.
Last night my emotions were so bad I literally took 2 benadryl and 5 melatonin gummies since I couldn't be left alone with my thoughts but can't sleep with a show on. I also am like really wanting human connection but am too scared to talk to people because of anxiety, I just am alone and struggling. I have really low labido due to my antidepressants and HRT but this doesn't really feel like being horny, I am just like wanting someone to connect with.
rn my emotions are just really crazy and idk what to do about it.
idk does this sound like the emotions ppl normally have on a hormone spike or am I just going crazy?? should I bright it up to my psychiatrist or is it normal? Should I track them to really see if it's on the 30 day cycle or if it's just stress related randomness? Is it always this intense or will I get used to it?
I would really appreciate any sort of guidance or recommendations anybody has
I have no great advice, not knowing basically anything about trans health, but can I just say that it’s a super raw deal that you don’t have a uterus but you still have to deal with PMS! Bodies, man.
Anyway, as a ciswoman, I agree that it’s worth tracking. It’s all pretty mystical and very individual generally so tracking is really the only way I can think of that would give you insight. People can tell you stuff on the internet and give you some ideas; some will ring true and others won’t. So tracking can help you see patterns for your own experience.
I have PMDD and my beloved hormonal IUD has all but eliminated my cycle, making me a much more functional person. When I did have periods, the sensitivity and mood swings were real. Yes, you can end up being extra sensitive and crying over minor things. I would also get myself into cycles of self-doubt and procrastination, leading to more self-doubt and anxiety when I came out of it. It can be difficult, to say the least. Hopefully you can find ways to treat yourself well when you’re feeling extra sensitive.
Oh also, don’t get hung up on 30 days! That is also a very individual number. I was actually surprised when trying to get pregnant that mine were the “standard” 28 days, more or less; so often they aren’t.
IIrc it can vary between like 25 to 35 days. Some have a period that's very regular, others fluctuate more in timespan and intensity. And also you might skip period if you're sporting a lot and burning lots of fat compared to 'normal'. Or if you're pretty stressed for a while, or if there's some deeper illness, no.
And of course, pregnancy too..