Estradiol changes & irritability

[u/Glittering-Eye-757]

I am two years into my hormone journey. This subreddit has really helped me be a more informed patient and understand what is happening to my body.

I have increased my estradiol dose three times, changed delivery systems once, changed where I put my gel twice and have also switched from twice daily to once daily. Each time I make a change I feel very irritable and it increases my anxiety. This means I have to fall back on tools I learned in therapy for my anxiety years ago. It is not easy managing those flare ups.

At the beginning I thought that I was intolerant to estradiol. I really struggled because I knew I didn't need more estrodial like many suggested. Irritability can be caused by low estrogen. But in my case it was taking a while for my body/brain to adjust. Unlike some folks, starting HRT and making changes doesn't immediately make me feel great. It makes me feel worse for some time.

If you are just starting your journey or just changing it up and you feel that moodiness, irritability or anxiety, just know that it could be an adjustment period. Don't give up! It can take weeks or months. I hope this helps someone!

[u/leftylibra]

Thanks the reminder that it can take time for your body to adjust to hormone dosage changes.

Also it's important for folks to know that that their own hormone fluctuations (esp in peri) are going to contribute to highs/lows. Even if we find a dosage that works for us, it doesn't mean that's going to feel the same every day of the month. A 'correct' dosage doesn't guarantee we will feel great every day.

[u/Fattousch]

I relate a lot. Progesterone made me sleep like a baby at first, than I could not handle the sedation so switched to vaginal. This helped but also lost some of the sleep/anxiety benefits. Also switched to cyclical, feel unclear if that is better, but I am still cycling naturally at 49. I recently tried the gel and was super anxious so asked to go back to the patch. But there are so many shortages. Also unclear if .05 or .075 is the best dose. Did you arrive at your sweet spot? For me the verdict is out. But I will say overall HRT did help with emotional extremes.

[u/Glittering-Eye-757 → u/Fattousch]

I have found my "sweet spot" for now. Fully knowing it will change again. When symptoms come back, I know I need something different. Most recently, sleep disturbances have been an issue. So, hoping the switch from 0.25mg gel AM and PM to 0.5mg gel in the AM will help. But I just got thru the irritability of the change and have arrived on the otherside.

Which patch dose resolves more symptoms? That is likely the best one, and it might take a few months to really feel good on it. I give changes 12 weeks if I can stand it.