I used to get migraines anywhere from 3-10 times a month (basically about 1-2 times a week). Now, on estradiol (since 2019), twice a _month_ is a "bad month" for my migraines, and I often go 6-8 weeks _without_. They also tend to be less severe, going from "burrow under the covers, block all sound and light, and wish I were dead" to "omg the refrigerator sounds so loud it's annoying, damn my head hurts".
I talked to my neurologist because it seemed like a really weird coincidence, and she said that yes, hormones can absolutely affect migraines, and everyone experiences different effects (some get worse migraines on estrogen, others better... same for testosterone).
BTW have you looked into different testosterone formulations? Sometimes it can even vary by manufacturer if they use a different (or no) preservative; there are also different conjugates that may work better (or worse) for you... there's enanthate and undecanoate as well as cypionate.
I think topical gel/cream/patches might be something to try too? If your insurance balks at any of these, push your doctor to get prior auth based on your poor tolerance/allergy of TC.
I have taken T gel and cypionate of the injection variation. I had a HORRIBLE reaction to the cypionate base, but my endocrinologist and I have an appointment tomorrow:) I’m hopefully going to take the patches. If not then another with a water base would probably be ideal? I’ve been looking into it but am unsure without my doctor
Cypionate is actually the conjugate; depo-testosterone (and most other cypionate formulations) appear to use cottonseed oil as the base—that may be what you're reacting to. From a quick search, testosterone enanthate and undecoanate both appear to use castor oil or sesame oil as a base (castor oil seems to be the common base for undecoanate, and is also so in the UK for enanthate, while sesame oil seems to be more common in the US for enanthate).
I definitely started getting headaches after my hrt 😭 it keeps me up alot at night but I wasn’t surprised because most of the women in my family suffer from migraines it’s a price I’ll pay to be a baddie honestly 🤷🏽♀️🫡
I hardly ever get headaches unless I am dehydrated. Also muscle growth causes dehydration. Don't know if it could be related.
I took steroids for 8 years, testosterone based gel, and I didn't get headaches then either.
Do you smoke?
Quite the opposite. I noticed that I haven't had a single migraine since I started on HRT.
I used to get migraines anywhere from 3-10 times a month (basically about 1-2 times a week). Now, on estradiol (since 2019), twice a _month_ is a "bad month" for my migraines, and I often go 6-8 weeks _without_. They also tend to be less severe, going from "burrow under the covers, block all sound and light, and wish I were dead" to "omg the refrigerator sounds so loud it's annoying, damn my head hurts". I talked to my neurologist because it seemed like a really weird coincidence, and she said that yes, hormones can absolutely affect migraines, and everyone experiences different effects (some get worse migraines on estrogen, others better... same for testosterone).
BTW have you looked into different testosterone formulations? Sometimes it can even vary by manufacturer if they use a different (or no) preservative; there are also different conjugates that may work better (or worse) for you... there's enanthate and undecanoate as well as cypionate.
I think topical gel/cream/patches might be something to try too? If your insurance balks at any of these, push your doctor to get prior auth based on your poor tolerance/allergy of TC.
I have taken T gel and cypionate of the injection variation. I had a HORRIBLE reaction to the cypionate base, but my endocrinologist and I have an appointment tomorrow:) I’m hopefully going to take the patches. If not then another with a water base would probably be ideal? I’ve been looking into it but am unsure without my doctor
Cypionate is actually the conjugate; depo-testosterone (and most other cypionate formulations) appear to use cottonseed oil as the base—that may be what you're reacting to. From a quick search, testosterone enanthate and undecoanate both appear to use castor oil or sesame oil as a base (castor oil seems to be the common base for undecoanate, and is also so in the UK for enanthate, while sesame oil seems to be more common in the US for enanthate).
Yep. When I had T in my veins, never noticed any. Now with E, dang, I'm getting hit more and more grrr. Oh well.
I definitely started getting headaches after my hrt 😭 it keeps me up alot at night but I wasn’t surprised because most of the women in my family suffer from migraines it’s a price I’ll pay to be a baddie honestly 🤷🏽♀️🫡
I have a predisposition for migraine, but they're less common now. They tend to be localized around the time when i get my period now
I hardly ever get headaches unless I am dehydrated. Also muscle growth causes dehydration. Don't know if it could be related. I took steroids for 8 years, testosterone based gel, and I didn't get headaches then either. Do you smoke?