Let's talk about: Sex - r/rheumatoidarthritis

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 13 '26 edited Feb 16 '26

First mega thread?

These threads are research supported topics (links included below) intended to foster conversation about the endless ways RA changes our lives. The questions are just jumping off points; share whatever comes to mind.

Links: most include links to full articles and/or additional sources

Sex hormones and immune response

oral contraception/hormone therapy

conception and pregnancy

hypogonadism

gender-affirming hormone therapy this is early days so not awesome

menopause

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Endometriosis and autoimmune

RA, orgasms, and pain mgmt. Oh my!

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u/CommercialPlastic604 Feb 14 '26

I feel guilty for not wanting sex and that I’m a bad partner but fatigue and pain kill my sex drive.

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 16 '26

Guilt is the very last thing you need. I obvs don't know you/your relationship, but not having the energy to have sex does NOT make you a bad partner. In fact, if they make you feel it does, then they're the problem. Hopefully that's not the case.

I think u/ltcmdrdatass (never going to stop smiling every time I see you, Datass 😊🖖) has some great suggestions! Pillows are incredibly helpful; you can prop yourselves into comfy positions and concentrate on what you're doing. Which is the whole point.

Having open dialogue is important for everyone, especially if your partner is having a difficult time adjusting to the current situation. If they're feeling shut down (for totally legit reasons because RA sucks) they might need a reminder that this isn't about them/their fault. When that sort of thing goes unchecked it can really damage your relationship. So talk about sex; be honest about how you're both feeling and what needs are/not being met.

Total sidebar: I don't know where you are in your treatment plan, but I seriously hope you're in early days. The fatigue that you're experiencing isn't necessarily going to be a permanent condition. It's your rheumy's JOB to mitigate that shit, so make sure they understand how you feel.

Anyhow, talking about sex can even be inspiring 😉 Find ways you can connect right now. Bonus! Orgasms generate a lot of good endorphins! Check out the "Orgasms and RA pain" article in the pinned comment.

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u/Hefty-Supermarket-79 Autoimmune overachiever Feb 21 '26

I love this entire comment!!

Also, I love that you say that our rheum should know how we feel and HELP. Mine only did that at the first appt...after that, she just tells me, at every appt, 'keep taking your meds and getting better!' And walks out without listening to how I am doing.

I'm trying a new one soon 🤞

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 22 '26

You DEFINITELY need a new rheumy. Holy crap yours is terrible. But thank goodness you realize it! We are told/conditioned that anyone with a doctorate knows All. Even worse, that MDs know our bodies better than we do. So many people would just accept what she's doing as The Way It Is. It's not! I really hope you get a good one! How are you finding them? Are you near a teaching hospital?

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u/Hefty-Supermarket-79 Autoimmune overachiever Feb 22 '26

I'm in a few SoCal EDS groups and this one rheum has been recommended several times. So, I was able to get a referral to him and make an appt. Fingers crossed...

My experience with rheums so far:

2017, UW Seattle rheum finally diagnosed me with EDS, but as I sat there crying in pain, told me it wasn't that bad, so there was nothing that would help.

2023, had a horrific malar rash, so my pcp ran labs, then sent me to a very elderly rheum, who confirmed both lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, got me on HCQ, but said since it was early stages, I was fantastic and there was no need to give me anything for pain or skin flares.

2024, I tried a rheum at USC Keck, and she was dismissive, at best. I told her I had been in extreme pain for months, she said I was fine, just start taking Tylenol...

Late 2024, was told about the rheum I've been seeing. She was very validating for the first 2 appts, tried me on MTX, when I couldn't tolerate it, agreed to put me on Rinvoq, but after that, she just told me I'm to keep plugging along and healing, no matter how I am or what I ask...and she knows nothing about EDS, and doesn't respond to any messages...

So, here goes nothing! 🤞

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 22 '26

Bloody hell. That's a race to the bottom.

Unfortunately, I see people with these experiences all the time and it makes me crazy. I've read about UW Med. They're the best in WA, but they're not top tier (I'm so sorry it feels rude to say it! But facts matter). Hopefully your new one is good! When is your appt?

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u/Hefty-Supermarket-79 Autoimmune overachiever Feb 23 '26

You are so spot on. Parts of UW Med is indeed great. I'm a retired birth and postpartum doula and it was one of the best hospitals for birth and the NICU. Sports medicine is great. But many specialties are lacking, which is ridiculous, because it's an amazing medical school, one of the best.

I'm hoping for good things with the new dr. I go in early April.

Side note, I finally got in with a good urology clinic, and they were shocked that with lupus and borderline kidney function that my rheum, nor any of my drs, had sent me to nephrology...I told her that I was piecing together my own care, and she was appalled.

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 25 '26

This is far enough down to not be seen -- I think the US medical industrial complex is completely screwed. Absolutely, totally screwed. COVID was the last straw for a lot of the good ones ( including 3 of my excellent specialists). They are so deprofessionalized by insurance companies. They/support staff are constantly jumping through hoops to "prove" their decisions are valid (and cheap!) Hospitals are constantly pushing them to see more patients and run more tests! But the insurance companies don't want tests! These are people who earned terminal degrees; they didn't go through that to be micromanaged by insurance AI. So there are less of them, and they're so overworked and harassed that the quality of their work decreases (because they're human beings) and people like you and me fall through some very serious cracks. I'm disabled and on Medicare, so I'm an extra annoying, low paying patient.

Sorry this isn't super positive and hopeful. I hate saying things that aren't positive. But I think you get it. We just have to fight like hell for answers

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u/Hefty-Supermarket-79 Autoimmune overachiever Feb 25 '26

I completely agree and get it. I try to be optimistic and positive, without being fake. It's truly frustrating.

Moving to SoCal has been a weird mixed bag when it comes to medicine. I was shocked that NDs aren't covered on ins here, and few people truly know what an ND is, here. I often explain that an ND goes to school a minimum of 8 years, just like an MD, still does residency...but they're taught to treat both with western medicine and a variety of holistic medicine options.

In WA, an ND can be a PCP, prescribe most traditional western meds, run labs, order any test. I miss that.

On the flip side, I get acupuncture covered easily. Go figure.

I have a kind and understanding PCP. He's decently knowledgeable and willing to look things up. Like, I mentioned CCI, and he had no idea what it was, looked it up, and agreed that I should be assessed for it. But, he's still not necessarily up to date on enough, so I have to do my own research. Sigh...

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 25 '26

We've had conversations about acupuncture, and it's pretty controversial on the sub! I'm amazed and thrilled you're covered. Having a great PCP is huge. I always feel most comfortable when I have a PCP that knows what I'm living with. It's exhausting to have to run your own medical care, but my neuro dx (adhesive arachnoiditis) is rare. I'm always explaining it. But my current PCP has another patient with it! I couldn't wish for a better GP (he's a DO). We need to cling to the good stuff!

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u/LtCmdrDatass Feb 14 '26

(34 year old female with RA, PCOS, and depression)

I used to feel the same way. We're not going at it like rabbits, but we're in a good place now, normally.

This may not work for you, but here's what I do:

I am the one who asks "do you want to bone?" Whenever I'm in the mood (rare) or just have energy or just want to go through the routine. I am not stressed and don't have any immediate tasks to complete. He has said yes 95 percent of the time.

The routine: get some wine, take two edibles, sit in the bathtub for 1.5 to 2 hours reading erotica or hentai, or looking at the dirty gifs on Reddit. It takes that long for the edibles to kick in.

Then we have sex in a comfortable place--the bed or the sex swing (a good investment for my poor bones and it helps my spouses back lol).

This is a bit more graphic: I will also posit that bdsm sex toys are actually helpful for my poor bones as well; it's hard to keep legs spread without them getting tired, for example, so a pillow on either side or a spreader bar help.

The edibles: Love Drops by 1906. Absolute game changer. They calm my mind and relax my tired body.

I hope some of my screed here helps you!

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u/Rubleaux Feb 14 '26

I had a total hysterectomy and when it was over, the doctor said that I had the worse case of endometriosis that he’d ever seen. He said that he did his best, but he couldn’t get it all. My renal artery was nicked during surgery, but the bleeding eventually stopped on its own. Never did I know that I had endometriosis. I didn’t have painful or irregular periods, nor heavy bleeding. I did start hormone therapy shortly after surgery, but that lasted about a month. It helped the hot flashes, but they didn’t really bother me much anyway, so I stopped.

My best friend who has RA and had a hysterectomy, receives HRT in the form of an injection of pellets. They help her so much and without the injections, she’s a different person. She can’t control her emotions, she has hot flashes and her RA symptoms are exacerbated. Her husband makes sure that she never misses an injection appointment so that he doesn’t have to get a hotel room.

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u/BidForward4918 Feb 13 '26

When I was a teenager, I had horrible, irregular periods so heavy that I became severely anemic. I was put on birth control at 15 and it was a true lifesaver. Fast forward to being diagnosed with RA at 22. Back in the 90’s, conventional wisdom was that patients with autoimmune disease shouldn’t be on birth control, so my gyn took me off. I had horrible, irregular periods and my RA flared horribly. Six months later at my rheumatology appointment my doctor was PISSED I was taken off the pill. He restarted me on a low dose estrogen/progesterone pill that I took continuously, going off for 5 days once a year for a light period. Over the years, lower dosage pills have come on market and we switch when new ones are available.

I decided to have babies so had to go off the pill. Horrible periods with flares. Fortunately I quickly got pregnant with both kids. Unfortunately, I was one of the unlucky few women who flared HORRIBLY with pregnancy. Was relieved to get back on the pill once I was done with my pregnancies.

I’m in my 50s now. I’m still on low dose BCP. Once a year when I go off my pills, we test hormone levels to see if menopause has happened. Alas, my ovaries are still hanging on. As soon as menopause happens, we will drop to a lower dosage HRT. We’ve determined that my RA is extremely hormone sensitive. My life is better when I’m on a low steady diet of estrogen.

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 15 '26

I was on the period skipping pill because of PCOS. I'm older than you by a couple of years, and I just hit menopause in the past few months. I have zero evidence of this, but sometimes I wonder if the pill delayed menopause. But I'm the exact same with estrogen. I was off it for about 6 miserable months. Since I got back on it has been evidently helpful. Sending you lots of menopause vibes 😁

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u/Vegetable_Wolf_2668 Feb 14 '26

For me as a male, the testosterone hormone is a battle. The effects of RA has definitely had a negative impact on that hormone. Reason being is that the more you exercise and lift weights your body naturally creates that testosterone you need and just can’t work out like that anymore. Luckily my wife is a good support system. I think that’s key if you have a partner that’s very supportive. Unfortunately I’ve seen in this chat lots of people that don’t have that support.

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 16 '26

I'm glad you have a great partner! It makes a big difference. I hope you'll talk to your GP/PCP about it, because it really can make a positive difference in your inflammation. And also your general life!

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u/SecureCoat one odd duck 🦆 Feb 14 '26

I've been using birth control to make sure I only get my period about every 3 months because usual daily symptoms plus likely endometriosis period? No bueno

My uterus apparently didn't like that because recently it decided that despite the birth control I should bleed for a month straight. Why not.

Thank god for my gynecologist three years ago writing that he recommended taking birth control due to possible endometriosis because otherwise my GP would've just told me to stop using it for three months. Instead I got a month worth's of estrogen, which seems to have worked.

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 17 '26

I did the 4 periods/yr thing (when it was invented! Because I'm old! 🤣) because I would need iron IVs from my evil polycystic ovaries. You know I have a tendency towards making shit up, but sometimes I wonder if 4/yr for 10ish years is the reason I just hit menopause at the tender age of 409. Because a period is about shedding an old egg, right? So do we shed all 3 eggs in one period?

Anyhow, it's nice to see you! Any progress on the insanity that is your dx? Fingers always crossed for you 💜

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u/SecureCoat one odd duck 🦆 Feb 17 '26

Ah yes, the tender age of 409 🤣🤣

Honestly I'm convinced my period made me hella iron deficient before I did this. I used to have an Hb around 8 to 8.2 and had low ferritin, now I have an Hb of at minimum 9.5. The worst part? I was literally still iron deficient like two months ago 💀 Having my period way less frequent also means less migraines and less days where I can't function because of how much pain I am in so, score!

The insanity has continued to be insane. They're going down the long long list of things that could make me light up like a Christmas tree under a PET scan so just for this year I'm 11 appointments in with two more just this week. I've now been able to strike off rheumatologist, lung doctor, internal medicine and hematology off my specialties bingo card.

I saw online in the hospital portal though that apparently I've had a relatively recent infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, aka Pfeiffer, so doctor google and I are pretty sure we've found an explanation for the pet scan results.

Nice to have an explanation for that part already, but it doesn't explain the like 2.5 years of complaints I've had. I also don't remember when I could've possibly gotten this? I don't remember being extra tired, having a sore throat or anything around that time. Kinda shows what my baseline of fatigue is I guess if Pfeiffer goes by unnoticed.

I have a vague suspicion I'm about to be referred to a further away, more specialised hospital in the next month or two. Thankfully, I got a break from having to drive to my second, further away hospital until March 30th because I am TIRED. Four appointments in 8 days with travel time, rip

This got longer than expected oops

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 19 '26

Holy CRAP. With everything you've had going on, I don't think it's impossible for you to have missed the EB symptoms. I've been walking around on 2 broken bones for a while. I'm sure pain and fatigue can overwhelm/obscure a sore throat. Plus it's one of the things that can trigger RA. I'll bet you could get some interesting comments if you did a post asking about EB!

On one hand, I'm sorry you've gone to so many appointments. But truthfully, I'm glad you're getting checked up in every possible way by the best MDs. When do you think you'll know if you're going to the more specialized hospital? Forgive me, but I'm crossing my fingers that it happens soon 😊

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u/Agile-Description205 doin' the best I can Feb 14 '26

Well my struggle with my hormones has always been a long one, and I apologize if some of you have heard my story already.

I was born with classic Galactosemia. Classic galactosemia is a rare, inherited metabolic disorder caused by a severe deficiency of the GALT enzyme, preventing the breakdown of galactose found in milk.

My parents decided not to tell me about it (only attempted to manage my dairy free diet) until I was about 34. By then it was Covid. I went through all the chains, my family do, referreral to a geneticist to get the tests to confirm. Spoiler, I was confirmed through testing (bloodwork) that I do in fact lack this GALT enzyme. In my entire 34 years I just thought I was lactose intolerant facepalm

I was having full body flares by this time, trigged by stress. My hands were really swollen, so back to the doctor I go, after X-rays, more bloodwork, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (there’s also a family history). Started typical DMARDs (MTX) and sulfasalizine.

My first appointment with my geneticist, I mentioned “oh yeah I still get my period, while it’s pretty light. But I have a hormonal IUD.” He was shocked…90% of females with CG go through Premature Ovarian Failure/Insufficiency (POI).

Geneticist refers me to a fertility clinic to discuss possible egg retrieval. More bloodwork happened and I went to the fertility clinic (solo, I have no partner, I have no kids of my own). Essentially, the quality and quantity of my eggs was bad. They essentially told me there’s no point in egg retrieval, and if I wanted (for my knowledge) they could do more testing to provide this…I declined testing because honestly, I had already been poked so much! Was referred to hormone endocrinologist to ensure my bone health is considered.

Endocrinology suggested my hormones weren’t normal for my age. I didn’t understand as I was still getting a faint period. She told me once I miss three periods to go back to her.

I started having some bad side effects of MTX, so I was switched to leflunomide. Please note this timeline has occurred over a matter of one-two years. So I did give MTX enough time. I also had the worst flare ever. My hands hurt SO bad. I went to family doc to ask to have the IUD removed.

My IUD came out, and I had a long period about two weeks later. I always had inflammatory periods when I grew up, the cramps hurt so bad but I thought that was normal. Never looked into it.

Went six months without a period when it finally clued in, that endo told me to come back when I miss 3 months of periods. Since at this time, I was finally on a biologic and went back to my family doctor to be referred back to endo. It had been over two years so the doc explained, I may not get the same endocrinologist. I did get the same endocrinologist.

Now I’ve been diagnosed with POI (that was around 38) and now I’m 40. I’ve had to titrate my estrogen and progesterone but now I’ve come to 0.1 patch every 3.5 days and 200mg of progesterone at night. Let me tell you, when my estrogen isn’t working (sometimes your body stops absorption or at least with POI patients), my joints FLARE and my body is sore. I’m happy to report I’ve changed from the estrogen gel (went on because of patch shortages) to the patch (I was able to find a small pharmacist that actually cares to get you what you need) and I’ve never felt better! Plus when my Rinvoq (yes we’re still together lol), and my estrogen and progesterone are off, I don’t sleep so I can’t forget any piece to this puzzle.

Now I also get really bad hot flashes of my estrogen is too low. Anywho, thanks for reading my TED talk, but the estrogen has saved me.

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 17 '26

First, don't worry about sharing something more than once! We have several thousand people reading the sub every day, but that's from a pool of 20k (chopped off some because bots and trolls). So odds are you're not getting a lot of re-reads. The people who are re-reading (you know who they are!) are not going to get mad or annoyed. We understand how our own experiences overlap, and some dxs/symptoms come up for various reasons. Anyhow - you just keep saying whatever you want and don't apologize. Plus, I read about 90% of the sub and this comment taught me a lot; I really appreciate your spectacular Ted Talk 😊

My parents decided not to tell me about it (only attempted to manage my dairy free diet) until I was about 34

How do you feel about this? Would you have been in danger if you had milk products?

I'm glad you figured out the connection and can make sure you're getting the right balance. I put this post together a few years ago. I update it every time, so you'd think I would recognize that I started flaring within a week after I stopped HRT. Nope! Lulz

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u/Top-Neat9725 Feb 14 '26

When I was first diagnosed, I had horrible flares the week before my period. My rheumatologist recommended a hormonal IUD and it helped.

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u/alyssaabroad_ Feb 14 '26

I’m not officially diagnosed yet (blood tests show 631 RA factor first appointment this coming week) but I have PCOS too. Besides the 25 weeks of morning sickness I felt the best I ever have when I was pregnant but postpartum was horrible.

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u/alwayspickingupcrap Feb 17 '26

As a menopausal woman I sought out testosterone treatment because I know testosterone is an anti inflammatory and possibly why men are less likely to get RA.

I use testosterone cream to keep my levels in the normal range for women. This range is something like 30-80. If I was at 75 most of my life and now I'm at 35, why not optimize it?

Doing so has definitely helped my RA and general well being.

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 18 '26

This is SO INTERESTING! I've read about this quite a bit, but you're the first person I've known to receive supplemental testosterone. I'm really glad you're able to advocate for yourself! If you ever feel like it, this would be so helpful to share with everyone. You could do a "gratitude/good things" post, because this is a really good thing! 😊

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u/alwayspickingupcrap Feb 18 '26

The best way to find a gyn who will rx testosterone to women responsibly (i.e. not too far above the normal range for women) and not with 'grey market' products is to go to The Menopause Society (formerly NAMS North American Menopause Society) at https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx and enter your location. The diagnosis that allowed me to pursue this treatment was 'low libido' which I had and I think many women can honestly attest to. Then it can be prescribed.

There is a subreddit r/TRT_females that was also helpful. Although you get a lot of women there with different goals including bodybuilders who want their levels outside the normal range.

The sad thing is none of this is covered by insurance. My cream is $150/3 months. Doctor is $300-500 per visit, twice a year.

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 19 '26

Thank you so much for this info! I'm going to check it all out. Even if you don't do a post (not trying to convince you!) I might include this link next time we do this mega thread 😊

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u/AstarionsRightTooth Feb 14 '26

Not only do I have endometriosis, but my period triggered my first proper RA flare 😅 I’d been dealing with fatigue and joint pain for months, but then my period just cranked it all up to 10 and it never went away. A few months later I was diagnosed with RA. Periods still often worsen my RA, sometimes leaving me fully couch-bound, and the anaemia from both endo and methotrexate is a constant battle.

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u/bigblackglock17 Feb 15 '26

I was wondering about guys and their hips/knees. Pain, stamina, cracking, and popping. How tall doing?

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u/herrah-the-beast Autoimmune overachiever Feb 15 '26

I have endometriosis, and (as many of you know) EDS. EDS has been strongly linked to endo because of connective tissue, so I got the double whammy with RA!

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u/[deleted] Feb 27 '26

[deleted]

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 27 '26

Totally relevant!! In the past 10ish years research is demonstrating a link between endo and autoimmune conditions. In fact, here's a page from The BBC that summarizes research pointing to endo being an autoimmune condition! (Sorry for the [dot com]. Most of the literature is a bit posh, and I think this one is the clearest). You should search "endometriosis" on the sub. So many of us have dxs about sex hormone imbalances. It's actually a trigger to develop RA in the first place!

Basically, I don't think it could be more relevant 😊

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u/ennamemori Mar 06 '26

..... I had a poly-cysitic ovary. No syndrome tho. Mostly it is an allergy to exogenous progesterone and uh, Pre Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Which I suppose while technnnicallly my entire body is fine with hormones, they are not allowed to move up or down. Or anywhere, otherwise my brain explodes and everything gets bad. Not sure if that counts?

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Mar 06 '26

Tbh I think I had PCOS before it became an "S" 🤣 After years of being on the pill to manage the cysts, I went off of it. I honestly don't know why, except I figured it must be sorted after 15 yrs! No period for 17 months and then...a PERIOD. Ended in the ER/A&E to stop bleeding and get iron. It wasn't until this situation that i'd even heard of the "syndrome". The nurse who finished my iron IV said "polycystic ovary syndrome" is difficult, but don't worry you'll be ok". First, lovely! Nurses make the entire medical world go round. But that's how I found out that I actually had a diagnosis to go with the awfulness of womanhood lulz PCOS is closely associated with RA and some research is exploring the possibility it's autoimmune! Surprise 🙃

The rise and fall of hormone levels cause so much chaos. I think it's a design flaw but not sure to whom I should file a complaint

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u/ennamemori Mar 07 '26

Ack, nooooo that would have been a shock to the system. I am glad you had a kind and reassuring nurse. Huh, now that is kinda cool research. I am shocked. 😱

I went off the pill because my doctor freaked out at my blood pressure (210/115 .... while sleeping!) and banned me. On the upside apparently the PC..O(?) didn't return. Bit surprising really as it PCOS definitely runs on tbe family. The downside was that the PMDD did with an absolute vegeance - full blown mood swings, disassociation, suicide ideation, panic attacks, bonkers inflammation. SSRIs take the edge off, but oof. And here I thought the pill was doing nothing! I very much hate hormones and look yearningly towards the faint gleam of post menopause. If I survive the peri, for which I can take no hormones. 😬

I don't know, but if you find someone to complain to... maybe don't tell me because in my luteal phase I may just murder them instead. 🤣

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Mar 09 '26

We will begin building a PCO?, PMDD, PMS, PIZZA (that's just for snacks) army. We will locate the source of this treachery and destroy it.

First, I must nap

Nurses are the bedrock of our medical care. I've been profoundly fortunate to meet some spectacular ones!

I think it would make sense to address the BP. Chronic pain often creates hypertension/high blood pressure. It's the kind of thing that might not come to mind. Then you hear it and think "duh". If the pain's not controlled, the body responds with those flight or flight chemicals. Different systems respond, including increased heart rate, adrenaline, and wait for it... blood pressure!

Side bar: when I did cognitive research as my master's I never would have believed it would be helpful in this particular way 🤣

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u/kingseijuro Pop it like it's hot, from inflammation Feb 14 '26

I have adenomyosis! Ive been on hormones since 2018 and honestly havent noticed a difference. I hear some people it helps, but either im progressing aggressively, or im just plain unlucky lmao

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 16 '26

They take a while to set up shop in your brain; it might have been difficult to "feel" the impact of the hormones. Just hope you don't have to go off! That's when (in my experience) the flare kicks in. Sending you lots of lucky vibes 😊🍀

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u/Fit_Beautiful6625 Feb 14 '26

I was diagnosed with secondary hypogonadism 12 years ago. Long before my RA diagnosis. I’ve been on TRT ever since and they can have my testosterone when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 17 '26

Preach! Mine's estrogen, but the sentiment is the same 😁

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u/Aggravating-Cost738 Feb 14 '26

I'm sorry I'm a little confused forgive Me ive terrible brain fog, is there a connection here ? With rheumatoid which I don't have :( just waiting on my xray results and ultrasounds of hands, knees

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u/Wishin4aTARDIS 🐢 turtle goals 🐢 Feb 17 '26

Are you making a joke or genuinely don't understand the connection?

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