I always hesitate to call what I experience a period, because i dont know if thats what it is or if it operates the same, plus some deep-set fear that as soon as I use that word in reference to myself 10 terfs will jump out of the woodwork and berate me for an hour.
I was wondering if anyone else experiences intense period-esq symptoms? Every ~3 weeks i have intense mood swings and am borderline psychotic for 2-5 days. I get very super dysphoric and everything is just really terrible. I also lose memory and dont remember what I did during those times very well (although my memory is terrible regardless so it could just be normal-for-me memory loss).
Its not directly related to my shot schedule, but its at its worst when it lines up with my shot. I cant tell if progesterone makes it better or worse, but I went off it to try and narrow everything down, because it wasnt always this intense. I might try cycling it to see if that helps? But it might just make it worse.
Im unsure why i made this post, i guess i just want to know im not alone?
IDK how to feel about the discourse here as a whole, but to address some of the posters in this thread and others ive seen. First, you don't need a uterus or to shed a uterine lining to be a woman, period. Second, all people experience hormonal cycles (enby, trans, cis, etc.). So to answer the OP, yes, it is totally normal and ok, but it is never a bad idea to ask your doctor. As far as transfems and period discourse, I think we can all agree that western society takes more of a misogynistic view, and I think that leads to a focus on fem people and their cycles. Also, the physicality of someone who sheds their uterine lining is a pretty obvious physical symptom that is only possible if you have a uterus. So I think the question is more like, Can we, as transfems, call our hormonal cycles a period? IMO yes, I guess where I have an issue with posters on this one is that a lot of the symptoms that fems say are part of their cycle have nothing to do with HRT and have more to do with people that have uteri. To get a better idea, we can sort through the common period symptoms that people with uteri experience.
Abdominal cramps - Uterine contractions help shed the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium).
Breakouts - Estrogen and progesterone levels decline while androgens, such as testosterone, increase slightly. Androgens stimulate the production of sebum; if too much sebum is produced, acne breakouts are a common result.
Tender breasts - When progesterone levels increase, the mammary glands in your breasts enlarge and swell, this leads to an achy, swollen feeling.
Fatigue - When hormone levels plummet, fatigue is often the result.
Bloating - Changes in estrogen and progesterone can cause your body to retain more water, which results in a bloated feeling.
Bowel issues - your bowels are sensitive to hormonal change; this can lead to more frequent movements and/or the following: diarrhea, nausea, gassiness, and constipation.
Headache - Estrogen can increase serotonin levels and the number of serotonin receptors in the brain, setting off migraines.
Mood swings - Estrogen can increase production of serotonin and endorphins, decreasing/increasing good feelings and/or increasing depression and irritability. For some, progesterone can have a calming effect. When you have low progesterone levels, the effect may be diminished or increased.
Lower back pain - The uterine and abdominal contractions are triggered by the release of prostaglandins and can cause muscle contractions.
Trouble sleeping abdominal cramps, tender breasts, bloating, headaches, cramps, etc. can all contribute to having issues sleeping.
Do we as transfems share some of these symptoms? Absolutely, for example, breakouts, fatigue, bloating, bowel issues, headaches, mood swings, and trouble sleeping. All of them are related to estrogen, and some to progesterone levels increasing or decreasing, like during our shot, patch, cream, or pellet cycles. However, things like abdominal cramps or lower back pains are directly related to having a uterus and the shedding of the uterine lining triggered by hormonal fluctuations. Does this mean you can't get abdominal cramps or lower back pains if you don't have a uterus no, but its most likely not related to your HRT cycles.
Also this is pretty helpful for estimating the ebb and flow of your HRT cycles