During the course of days, the women registered menses and ovulation, while the men registered sexual activity, physical exercise, alcohol intake and illness (confounders), and obtained daily saliva samples for testosterone measurements. Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), also referred to as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), can impact menstrual periods and cycles overall. Men also have about 10 times more testosterone than women, so their hormone cycle is usually all about how their testosterone affects them. While the female menstrual cycle varies between individuals, this is typically what happens to testosterone and estrogen . Research by the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism suggests that from day eight until ovulation, both testosterone and estrogen levels rise . Yes, testosterone is higher during the menstrual cycle, especially in the mid-phase. Some people who start testosterone stop having periods – this change depends on how much testosterone you inject or apply (if you are on T gel), and how your body responds to it.
As you can tell, the physiology behind periods is pretty complicated and there are a number of different reasons why your periods might not stop despite taking testosterone. Important, too, is that we found no link between the regularity of periods prior to starting testosterone, or the age at which testosterone is started and whether periods stop within the first 6 months. There are a number of factors that may influence whether or not and how long it takes your periods to stop after starting testosterone. The inhibited production of these hormones due to testosterone will usually suppress ovulation and menstruation. These findings were similar to a US study, where 1 in 4 (25%) people had 1 or more episodes of ‘breakthrough bleeding’, after more than 12 months using testosterone.
Likewise, there is a general, loose timeline of anticipated physical effects you can anticipate on testosterone GAHT. Know that anyone and everyone with a rough period can seek help managing their symptoms! More specifically, progesterone contraceptive pill, Nexplanon/birth control implant, non-hormonal IUD, or combined contraceptive methods to help reduce periods. If either is true for you, know there are options for managing painful periods. Additionally, those on estrogen GAHT/HRT (or anti-androgens such as progesterone) may experience PMS symptoms, despite not bleeding. Gender identities and bodies beyond these ones also can experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms as well. Learn more about menstruation, PMS, HRT phantom periods, menopause, and more from FOLX Health.
Some people really look forward to experiencing bottom growth to dispel gender dysphoria, while others really do not want it. Adjusting to my changing body has also meant adjusting my personal hygiene routine. To be fair, I was expecting this difference in how my body responds to my environment, but I didn’t think it would be so drastic.
Some prefer not to use any hormones, and others use birth control to stop their periods. People who menstruate but are not women need to have a way of talking about periods without being misgendered. We often hear from people asking us how taking testosterone will affect their cycle.
"Women with low body fat often do not produce sufficient amounts of sex hormones. These testosterone fluctuations are perfectly normal and play a key role in fertility, sex drive, and even mental health. It's crucial to understand these hormonal changes, as they play a significant role in women's health.
The decreased concentrations of FT and androstenedione, without significant changes in SHBG, suggest that in older women these hormones are produced in lower quantities during the mid-cycle. The mid-cycle rise in FT was more prominent in younger females while it was not evident in older females aged between 43 and 47 years, who were cycling regularly and had normal levels of prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone . Testosterone was significantly higher during the FP in females with anovulatory menstrual cycles . Multiple studies report that serum TT and FT levels peak during mid cycle at ovulation 36-39, 45, 49-75. The PubMed database was searched using the terms ‘testosterone’ OR ‘androgens’ AND ‘menstrual cycle’ OR ‘ovarian cycle’ in a ‘title’, ‘abstract’ or ‘keywords’ search. The keyword combinations used for the search were (testosterone OR androgen) and (menstrual cycle OR ovarian cycle). Its imbalance can disrupt the functioning of the menstrual cycle, leading to unpleasant symptoms and jeopardizing a woman's chances of getting pregnant.
It's common, and totally understandable, to have a lot of questions when you're considering starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Because cyclic PMS symptoms can happen to anyone with or without ovaries, HRT phantom periods can also happen for those on estrogen GAHT. "If there is a history of heavy periods, fibroids, or frequent cycles, they may have a harder time suppressing their period," explains Collins. Overall, testosterone concentrations were higher mid-cycle, but a peak was not discernible in each individual. This typically happens at the ovulation stage of the menstrual cycle . In my practice, I've observed that imbalances in testosterone levels can cause health issues ranging from cancer risks to weight gain, as highlighted by Medical News Today . Monitoring estrogen and testosterone levels, as well as their ratio, is vital for understanding and managing hormonal health effectively. Additionally, I'll discuss why boosting testosterone is sometimes necessary and beneficial for women, offering insights into this often-overlooked aspect of female hormonal health.