thanks for recognising us transmasc people who aren't men. i always watch trans guys' vids and feel a little weird about not being male when i watch them (i identify as genderqueer/transmasculine)
Just in case anyone else is watching and has EDS and is thinking about progesterone, one of the big things it does is relax ligaments which can make any EDS symptoms worse!
Thabk you Aaron for being so clear cut in your thoughts And for me you're an autistic role model to me since I'm autistic and you're amazing. Thank you Aaron.
i have been taking a progestagen called chlormadinon for years at two mg per day. bleeding stopped immediately and only comes back if i stop taking it for several days. it is not necessary to take it at a specific hour, it does not matter if i forget it for a day. it also greatly improved my mental state because i feel down when estrogen is high but progestagen keeps it low. it dampened my curves also, it seems, or at least it does not seem to enhance them largely. it is cheap. i have not had any sideeffects. they recommend though to make a break of a month every nine months, i heard. depends on your body, i guess. i am on it for other medical reasons than me being trans although i am just finding out that i am in fact trans and having had no period for years now has really helped a lot against my gender dysphoria.
This was a really great video! I'm a butch woman who started taking depo partially due to trauma-induced dysphoria surrounding my period, and partially as birth control, and there are definitely some things I've learned about it that I'm sure to mention to trans friends considering it for period control: - a 3-6 month period (first two shots) of inconsistent, long-term bleeding and spotting is pretty normal when starting depo, and I'm very lucky my healthcare provider explained that to me before I started it. From what I understand, it's because the progesterone works by hormonally signaling your uterus to shed its lining constantly, not monthly - meaning the lining needs to be shed until there's no previous buildup left. If you're lucky, your body won't build up any new lining while you're on depo. Mine does, but thankfully I'm only spotting once every three months instead of bleeding heavily every month, so I'll take it. - If you have chest dysphoria, you should probably be wary about progesterone. Depo usually causes weight gain, specifically around the chest and hips/thighs, and from what I understand progesterone is even sometimes prescribed to trans women to help with body fat redistribution. It actually helped me a lot because I was underweight before I started depo, and I really didn't mind going up a cup size, but I could see it increasing dysphoria for people who don't want a traditionally feminine body shape. - Unfortunately, the risk of lost bone density is the same for long-term depo as it is for long-term hormone blockers. I don't know about oral progesterone.
I am sooo thankful for trans youtube. It's frustrating how little research is out there about trans people and I would know hardly anything if it wasn't for your channel and others. I can't tell you how thankful I am for all of this information!! Love yooouuu and thank yooouu!!
I love how informative this video is, i didn’t know a lot of this information. But also, side note, your voice is so calming and I really appreciate it
Thanks for your insight Aaron and I'm so sorry your experiences were that horrible on Progesterone. I thought I'd add another perspective. I'm on the progesterone pill and the first 6 weeks were hell. I was bleeding constantly, my moobs hurt and I guess the shift in hormones made me anxious. I do have a history of severe depression, but aside from the temporary anxiety I've been fine. The biggest issue I faced was taking contraceptives in general since it reminded me of my reproductive system. By now I'm great though. I've been on Progesterone for 7 months, my cycle, completely stopped, all symptoms of PMS vanished after around 5 months and it just feels so natural to not have to deal with it. My doctor advised me to keep taking it once I start T, mostly because of the contraceptive function. Anyways have a great weekend y'all. :)
I’m so glad I came across this. I could’ve used this information back in the 90s but better late than never! Thank you I downloaded your video for future reference.
Aaron I think it is awesome that you shared a video like this. Many people don't realize how female harmones will effectively change ones mental wrll being. I am a Cis Female that expetiences sever depression with my cycle. The ups and downs with progesterone. You are doing an awesome job with your videos. I have learned so much. My nephew is mtf trans and by watching creaters like you, it helps me to understand what being trans involves. One more thing, and I will end thing long comment. Most manufacturers of medications/drugs have programs to help off set the costs of expensive drugs that someone can not afford. Google it and info shouldbe available.
Hi Aaron! I didn't know about all these methods, thank you for sharing your experience :) I watched your Gaslighting video after a horrible fight with my abuser and it helped me to finally realize that I'm not imagining the abuse. Thank you so much for that
I really appreciate the way you explain things Aaron! Even when you get emotional about something, you still remember to explain what you are talking about in detail and give a lot of information with proper explanation. With other creators I sometimes feel like their personal opinions mix with the facts and topics they are presenting. Hugs from Germany!
my doctor didnt prescribe me the projesterone only pill purely because of the history of mental illness within myself and with my family but even with the combined pill it made my menstrual cycle more frequent so (probably due to the fact i most likely have PCOS) and it made my depression worse so i stopped taking it like 3 months ago and I still havent bled since then... maybe my uterus finally got the message
This isn't trans related but my mum had a similar experience with bleeding for months and an increase in her depression symptoms. Now she won't let me on any kind of birth control despite me being unable to move and having extreme pain for at least a full day an night every month. No one warned her of these side effects and now I'm the one who has to pay for it, it just doesn't seem right.
This is such a useful video! In NZ we also have Jadelle rods - 2 tiny, soft plastic (?) rods that release progesterone into the body, which are inserted about halfway along the underside of the upper arm. They last about 5 years and lighten or stop shark week - sometimes they make it worse but that's rare. They also don't have many side effects which is great. At some GPS or sexual health clinics it's free or $5 as far as I know. It lasts 4-5 years, and it's removed the way it's put in, and sometimes if the person wants a new one can be put in straight away. Talking to some sexual health nurses, it's pretty common for Jadelle rods to be prescribed to afab trans folk, especially those in relationships with men/folks with a p**** for contraceptive reasons as well as stopping shark week. I've had mine since March 2018 and I've been shark week free since April - which has been great for stopping shark week dysphoria. I dunno what world wide accessibility to the Jadelle rods is but they've been a lifesaver for me. Here's the Family Planning page on the rod - it's the NZ website - and sadly the language is only catered towards women but I assure you that afab people, regardless of gender, can get it too www.familyplanning.org.nz/advice/contraception/contraceptive-implant
Good timeing for the video! I just got my IUD a bit ago. My IUD actually is supposed to last up too 7 years. If anyone wants to get on I recommend you go to Planed Parenthood. They were super nice, and helped me understand my options. They also asked me for what pronouns to use for me, and well as a chosen name! Best of luck friends I hope you find a way that makes it works for you! Also don't be afraid to ask me questions, but I can only talk from my experience, and the information the doctors gave me.
Thank You Aaron for sharing your experiences that will be useful to guys that need it, & to know they're not alone. You're always willing to talk about topics that are hushed or whispered about. Which gives the impression that it's easy for everyone. I always thought once HTR was started.. it just stopped the MC from showing up. This has been very informative. ❤ Tw/tumor/bleeding I had a fibroid tumor removed and I had to go through a medical menopause and I thought I was going to lose my mind before the heavy bleeding stopped, & then after getting a shot to take off the side effects of menopause... it took me to a very dark place fast. It would've been nice to know that my mental health was at risk before I had the shot. 🤷🏽♀️
Thank you for doing research! I also tried to find credible analysis for trans masc individuals but there weren’t any that I deemed to be fact/science based. I’m a cis female who has a 5 year Mirena, It has almost eradicated my cycles but I do have random spotting. It changed my body’s odor in general and my arm pits smell more strongly than they ever have. Ofc every body is different but this is my experience. I don’t want (biological) kids and an IUD was the closest thing to getting my tubes tied. (I’m 24 and have been begging my medical providers for over 10 years)
i appreciate you making this video, so. fucking. much. its really important stuff, yet i had so much trouble finding any kind of information in this regard before starting progesterone, and have been experiencing a lot of bleeding and depression/anxiety that i didnt feel prepared for. i started T in the same week and have been feeling kind of fucked up over that. like, enjoying some of the early changes gets clouded in pain and sadness. lol. i hope people who need this information find their way to this video!
I actually get the depo shot for birth control (as my cycle became unbearable with the pain) and it works great for me. This just shows that everyone’s body has different reactions to different things. It did make me gain weight which I already had a problem with self confidence and depression as it made me view myself worse and had to take antidepressants which had helped me. I still struggle with my mental health, but going back to the shot is extremely helpful for me so I no longer go through the unbearable pain. Anyway everyone’s body reacts differently and whichever works best for you may not work for someone else.
Hello! Afab person here. I live in the UK and have the progesterone in my arm implant. Family and personal history of mental health. Feel like my moods are more even than ever on it. No mensuration the first 12-18months but now it’s back but lighter than before. Just putting my experience out there to show that it can be really positive for some people.
I took the micropill with progesterone only twice, for a couple months... Each time was horriiiiiible. I had the worst mood swings ever, debilitating migraines and still had my periods. There's also suicide in my family, my paternal grand-mother took her life 6 months after she had her last child. Now I had a copper IUD as a form of birth control but it will be time to change it soon. I'm supposed to start T really really soon, so hopefully now the doctors will take me seriously when I talk about hysterectomy...
I have autism and PMDD, had the injection and also the progesterone implant at different points both of which made my mood extremely low to the point of hospitalisation- Thank you so much for this video and info.
thanks for this video. I considered taking progesterone to stop my cycle before going on Testosterone but I struggle with chronic depression and suicidality so this is probably not an ideal choice for me personally. I‘ll probably consider Lupron if my ensurance covers it (not sure if this will work for me though cause of its effects on bone density since I am at risk for osteoporosis due to being underweight), otherwise I‘ll have to wait it out until I can finally get on Testosterone
Finally the info I've been needing. I'm going on hormones through planned parenthood on march 28th and already had the depo shot so I was really worried. Thank you for this.
Hi Aaron! This is an informative video! :) TW: IUD, Birth control, Mention of parts, Gyno appt I'm a trans masc person and a bit before my 1.5 years on T, I got an IUD for birth control. For me, it was a fairly traumatic experience. I had a hymen that was fairly inflexible, so even with the doctor being gentle I was in a lot of pain. In the experience, it was how my hymen was torn. I'm happy that my wife was there to comfort and advocate for me. I was already pretty freaked out by my lower dysphoria. Plus, my main doctor (GP) was unable to do the procedure due to him being on his residency and hadn't done it before. The gyno on call didn't have as much experience with trans people, so I constantly got misgenered by her. Tl;dr I had a traumatic experience with getting an IUD. If you cannot insert a tampon, make sure all parties know if you are getting one!!!
I’m on the (forbidden) injection and have been for about a year and I guess I’m pretty lucky because I’ve had zero side effects other than my cycle completely stopping and that’s fantastic. In fact, after the first shot, I never got one again. Like there was no three-six month thing for me, it just flat out stopped which was nice. It might be because I’m hella scrawny but whatever. This was a great video!
I’m pre-T and take progesterone because my mom isn’t cool with me starting T yet because it scares her (I’m a minor so I can’t do anything about it) and I use the pill form and it works really well for me. My shark weeks were a lot lighter than most people’s I know of, which probably comes into play, and I haven’t bled since starting it maybe 4-5 months ago. I’m also a really forgetful person and will sometimes forget to take it for a day or even two days in a row but I still haven’t had anything so it’s pretty great
Thanks for this video so much, hope this didn't make u feel uncomfortable to make, ironically I started the pill to stop the thing to help with my disphoria,
Tw: cycles and related A few months before I started T my doctor suggested aygestin (the oral pill). I have been on it for about 4 months and haven’t experienced any bad side effects. I sometimes forget to take my pills and I haven’t had any issues with my bleeding coming back. I feel like it is a good fit for me because it stopped my periods about a month in and the only weird thing is that I spotted for a while after my last period. I understand that everyone’s different so I just wanted to put my story out there in case some of you got anxiety when prescribed this medication.
Just letting you know that you're not the only one. I've been on progesterone for 2 years, it stopped my bleeding but my mental health was the worst... I'm so glad I'm getting off of it.
Thanks for the video, I didn't realise this would be so relevant to me as it is honestly. I'm really glad you made this. I've wondered if the Depo is related to a worsening of my EDS symptoms too, and knowing you've had a similar experience (and someone else in the comments) makes me wonder more. I had a huge health crash about a year (maybe less?) after I started it (didn't know I had EDS at the time), and my health hasn't been the same since. I put it down to me doing more than I could manage at the time (full time education and nearly 0 spoons), but I can't help but wonder. I did hear a while back that progesterone increases joint laxity though, which seems like a super obvious issue for people with EDS though. Fortunately, it did 100% stop me bleeding with no obvious side effects, and I'd been on it 7-8 years before starting testosterone last year. I'd been anxious to get off it for a while due to potential bone density issues and the laxity thing, and I had some unpleasant 'withdrawal' effects for 2 months after stopping. My GP was very keen to get me off it too tbh. But I couldn't come off it before starting T cause I'd been basically bed bound for a week prior to bleeding before I started the depo, and I can't deal with that happening again. What I do know is that we need more research on the effects of drugs on folks with EDS, and more medical info and resources for trans folks too. It really sucks just having to find these things out through experience, but still not being able to draw proper conclusions.
I'm not sure if it was mentioned in the video, but there's also an arm implant! It's called Nexplanon, and I have it. From my experience it's been pretty good, my menstrual cycles have stopped. However when I first got it implanted my emotions were all over the place, and I bled for about a month straight which wasn't fun, and during the year I've had it I've gained 20 lbs. My cycles have stopped though and I don't have to think about it or worry about getting it replaced for a couple years. 💕
I ask have the arm implant! Before I bled very irregularly (like all the time) and it was horrible, but I know bleed very rarely, however when I do its not a good time :[ BUT as a trans-masc individual you can have the implant and be on Testosterone! It serves as birth control for me now, and it regulates me until T causes my time-of-bleeding to end
i also have the implant and am on T, also using it for birth control. it made my cycle come back after T had stopped it which is upsetting, and i had bled for almost two months straight. now its slowing down but ive been spotting a lot then bleeding on a typical monthly basis. still waiting for it to stop but its well worth not getting pregnant lmao
Found your channel because of your tattoo machine video ..... wanted to watch more of your vids and found this video .... I had honestly never thought about you still having periods, which really shocked me ..... I just can’t imagine how traumatic it is for you having to go through that every time, I’m so sorry you have to go through all this just to be who you should have been since birth ❤️❤️❤️. Tina xx
Hey, I’m a cis woman with HSD and find that my joint instability, pain and fatigue get much worse when I get the progesterone spike in my menstrual cycle, to the point that I’m pretty incapacitated for a week each month. One of the jobs of progesterone is to soften tendons and ligaments to accommodate pregnancy and birth. So it makes sense that your EDS flared at that point, just as my HSD does. I’ve heard a few transmasc folk with HSD and EDS say T improved their symptoms a lot. My GP (UK) can’t refer me to endocrinology because my bloods are totally normal, though. He also doesn’t get it at all and suggested that if I was struggling with my cycle he could prescribe a progesterone only contraceptive! Roll on menopause I guess!
Thank you for making this video Aaron, it's great to see someone talking about this! I've considered making a video on my own experience with this - I had progesterone as part of a birth control pill for between six months and a year. It did completely stop my periods which was fantastic for my dysphoria BUT it also made my mental health spiral downwards into some of the worst anxiety I've ever had. I ended up having to come off it because it was causing me more harm than good, and I wish there was more awareness of those potential side effects.
Great video! Not helpful to me now but a couple years ago when I started T my doctor knew nothing about birth control options for people on T. My spouse has since had a vasectomy so we don't have to worry about anything and I haven't had any bleeding luckily.
Progesteron is well known to increase Depression. I have endometriose and i read a lot about hormons to find a way to help against my pain. Progesteron is the best way, sadly....
What's weird is, I found out I was allergic to progesterone and estrogen... I found out I wasn't allergic to testosterone. SO, I got a hysto and double opphorectomy, I didn't want kids anyways, but KNOW that there are MANY kids out there who need adoption! I am grateful for your video Aaron, this is a great video! I won't go into any details but any birth control I've ever taken made me SO SICK it was awful. I started testosterone after my medical hysto and oophorectomy, that I actually felt so much better it changed my life and my mental state because I wasn't afraid of getting my period any more. If anyone wants to keep their uterus/ovaries, more kudos to you, I am against "forced sterilization" of trans people, but I really needed it to feel comfortable in my own body. I did NOT opt for lower surgery though (metoidio or phallo), I didn't want my body to malfunction after finally figuring out I could get any pleasure out of my body. Tampons hurt me SO BAD that I had to either use pads or get what's called a uterine ablation (a doctor sedates you and they go in and burn your uterine lining so there is no more or very little shedding of the monthly lining). Ablation means no kids, possibly no periods, and it helped for a while until I had to get a polypectomy from my uterus, it was so painful it was a nightmare (they had to undo my ablation, go back in, re-open my uterus to remove the polyps causing the monthly pain). Ablation IS a form of sterilization/period reduction, and it DID help, but with my past, it wasn't my true answer. Thank you Aaron, you're the best, thank you for your candid and honest experience, I hope I didn't trigger anyone with my comments, but I wanted to let anyone know that uterine ablation IS an option. Ablation can also "possibly" lead to having genetic children, it doesn't sterilize you as much as tubal ligation. Both are semi-reversible, not 100% pregnancy/period proof, but it really does cut down on the dysphoria. I hope this helps.
@@e.s.lavall9219 In must cases yes, but every time they have to go back in, there's more chance for ruptures, tears, and damaged tissue that eventually requires hysto unfortunately.
I have been on progesterone for MDD for 10 years and had a hard first year; but after that first year it evened out as it helped my dysphoria. I also suffer from cronic deperssion becuse of a brain injury so it was a risk but i´m happy I took it and it worked out for me.
The depo shot is what I've been using for the last year and a half, and it's been fantastic for me at least. It's not 100% perfect, I do occasionally get spotting or cramping generally right before my shot is due again, but otherwise my cycle has completely stopped and I've been able to transition on T this whole time without any setbacks. I am an intersex guy (CAFAB) so my parts are a bit different, but still similar to other trans guys. I'm hoping I had my last depo shot recently as I'm planning to get my hysto this year! It's kinda scary but I'm hoping it's a step in the right direction! 😬
Certainly in the UK if you have the progesterone only pill you are told to take it all the time. I have not physically transitioned yet but am on this pill and take it all the time (for physical reasons as well as mental) .
I am on testosterone and also taking LoLoestrin which is an extremely low dose estrogen + progesterone pill. My doctor (who specializes exclusively in trans healthcare/HRT) said it was okay for me to continue taking it when I started T because it is such a low dose. I just started T 4 weeks ago, but I have been on LoLoestrin for about 5-6 years. It pretty much stopped my monthly bleeding even before I began to skip the sugar pills. I've been told that experience is common with this medication. It's also great b/c the low dose is less likely to cause side effects in most (not all) people.
I was on the injection method for a while last year and I have not stopped bleeding for 7ish months. Thank you for talking about this it’s nice to know someone’s had a similar experience and made it through :) btw I don’t think it has anything to do with anemia because I’m not anemic
Sooo, can feeling disgust and nausea at the mention or thought of anything to do with menstruation be gender dysphoria? I feel so bad sometimes that the mere thought of me menstruating makes me feel sick because it's just biology and can even be something really powerful for women. Also, the first half of this video was great but I just can't deal with this topic atm. Will come back to it some other time. Thanks for making this and putting the information out there :)
I have had one those birth-control implants (Nexplanon) that they put inside your arm for like four months now, pretty sure that's also progesterone based. My doctor recommended it to me when i told her my periods make me very dysphoric but im very much not yet ready to go on T. I am also extremely forgetful so the pill really did not work for me. The implant hasn't completely succeeded yet in what it was implanted to do, but things are a lot better than they used to be in that regard. I also have quite a bad history with mental health but like, while my depression isn't doing great tbh, it hasn't gotten worse either since implanting the thing in my arm. Hopefully it won't get worse from here. That's not to invalidate anybody else's experience obviously. Our bodies are different and react to things differently. Be open with your doctors about the symptoms you have and treatment options available.
TW/CW: I don't think I'm trans masculine, I'm AFAB, and thought I might be non-binary, but I'm pretty comfortable with my body for the most part, there are some things I wish I could change, but are rather just a nuisance than a "I absolutely NEED to" thing. I've struggled with periods before too, and birth control. Most of the contraceptive pills I was on, I was on to protect me from getting pregnant. I hated that it made me feel like I had no emotions, but I love that I was able to focus more on my work because of it. It's more of a hormone regulator, but can be bad if you have mental conditions/disorders at times. I love the fact that periods are pretty light or almost gone, but I hated the fact that it would cause vaginal dryness. I've also hated the opposite just as much. I've thought about binding my chest before, and did with a crappy one, but it didn't work too well. I also like finding bras that fit really well too. I don't want to ruin my tissue completely though, if it will get "flesh pockets" as some trans men and trascmasc people mentioned. I already have rashes under my breasts, and I've put ointment on it to try and prevent the skin from getting any more distorted, but it's still there. I'm wondering if I need to use baby powder, but kind of hard to use after showering. Sorry if that's too much info, put a TW/CW at the top, in case anyone might find it scary. I just thought someone might have the same/similar experience. It can be hard being a woman sometimes, I don't like to bleed, and I sometimes don't like how in the way my breasts are, and the thought of having a baby inside me makes me cringe, but I do think about becoming a parent some day. But I don't have a pardner anymore ^^; I just thought I'm not trans because I don't really see myself as completely manly either, and trying to act like it just makes me look like more of a dick (no pun intended lol) :D
I had a hormone iud for several years and had it removed. 5 years later I developed multiple sclerosis. there are a lot of theories that many other people who have used iud's also develop MS later in life. I wish I had never used the iud. this is my experience and I am not given dr advice just sharring my experience
Honestly I think that prescribed Depo Provera to Aaron was irresponsible for not even mentioning how it can affect mental health. That's one of the first things I was told about it. I was told how depo is a much higher amount of progesterone than any of the other progesterone options because the full dose is only injected every 3 months, so the amount in your body really drops creating more severe cycling and that is part of what makes it a not so great choice for people with mental health things already. I've had good experiences with the IUD! And if you're not comfortable with an IUD, there's also options like patches and implants that are a more stable dose than the injection that seems to be like the in-between between a daily pill and an IUD. There are options! I tried the progesterone only pill briefly, half for bleeding/half for birth control, but I didn't like worrying about taking it at the same time either. So when I was looking into other progesterone-only options I decided to get a Mirena (also 'cause it's the lowest amount of the hormone needed of any of the options due to the location), and for the first few months I ended up constantly spotting with almost no stopping, but it was a small enough amount that I just wore black cotton underwear all the time and didn't bother with pads ect. I ended up getting an inserted ultrasound just to check things because it was a while that I was having all this spotting. But it ended up clearing up sometime between the 6-8 month mark (I don't remember), and I ended up being period-free after that for 2.5 years or so! It was greatttttt! Birth control and no bleeding without worrying about anything. I love it and totally recommend it! What happened to me though after 2.5 years, I had the rare occurrence of the IUD falling out. So, I had to get a new one put in, and in the mean time had to experience bleeding again. -.- It was honestly so long since I had dealt with periods that I totally forgot how to do the things related to them, what it was like to go shopping for menstrual products, and had donated almost all of the extra menstrual stuff I had at home before. This time around, instead of just light spotting that was easy to deal with, it's been actually full-blown bleeding with a week or two between it starting again. :/ I'm at that point right now but I'm nearing the 6-month mark, so I'm actually very glad to have watched this video 'cause noone told me when the bleeding usually stops again. But, if all goes as planned, in a couple months, I won't have to deal with bleeding again for another 4-ish years. Thank goodness. So it's totally worth the trouble/ investment for me.
I'm a15 year trans masc who has not had any hormone treatments(blockers orT) and has not had my menstrual cycle so I'm hoping that will benefit me when I try to take T in it stoping but in case it doesn't this information was very helpful thank you
As a MTF with both genders reproductive system...my cycle is unaffected by oral Prometrium Progesterone and Delestrogen injections.I guess it is not uncommon for the reproductive system to "ignore" HRT....loks like that shot maybe an alternative...PMDD really sucks..
Yikes. I know everyone’s different but I’m definitely going to make sure none of these side effects are going to effect me because I have /debilitating/ pain (endometriosis) and I’m currently on the oestrogen/progesterone pill but obviously that can’t continue when I start T. Thanks for this info!!
hey, I'm genderqueer and I don't ID as transmasculine but this is relevant to me. "AFAB people who medically transition" isn't the same as transmasc (I personally feel testosterone moves me towards "genderqueer" and not "masculine", for example)
Thanks for making this video aaron, I’ve recently come out and need the cycle to end, but don’t plan on going on T. So I was thinking about my options, and thinking about progesterone. So this is just the info I needed. Now I don’t know with all the side affects, especially mental health. Even if it’s a small chance, I’m not depressed but I don’t wanna risk it. What’s a guy to do though 😩. I might talk to my doctor about it when I get one
I would totally talk to your doc! :) I've had good experiences with other progesterone-only methods and honestly the injections are one of the most severe and highest dosage of all the choices. I call my IUD my HRT 'cause I also don't plan on going on T anytime soon. All the best!
I've been told by a nurse that it's not always good to do the injection if you havent carried a child (I cant remember the exact explanation) but she said basically that if you havent you might get way worse bleeding and usually people who have just stop bleeding usually? Idk?
My doctor told me to take it to start my period ( I felt super dysphoric and horrible during the whole experience) once it was over I never took it again and am still refusing to take it even though my mom won’t get off my back about it I’m 18 though so she can’t force me to do anything I can’t wait to move out and actually go see a gender therapist to see what’s up with me, I know I’m masculine, I can’t look at my chest, it makes me feel really bad when I do, but without any sort of cycle I don’t have much lower body dysphoria I guess I got half lucky there
I had the shot and it was terrible for me I bled so much that I became anemic because I didn't stop bleeding for a YEAR. But I know several people who it works for
I am on progresterone as a birth control and to control my period but because of my EDS I have developed menstrual gingivitis which sucks. I honestly don't know what to do
I’m currently on depo provera and in the process of trying to get a diagnosis explaining my chronic pain and skeletal issues and I’ve noticed an increase in subluxations after being on it but it has been the only thing to stop my menstrual cycle so take the pain of my subluxations over having my menstrual cycle again
I didn't even think about this until you pointed it out - I was on progesterone for a short period after I started testosterone to make everything stop while we waited to see if T would stop it, and my mental health went haywire after I started it, as did my physical health. I don't have an EDS diagnosis other than two doctors saying "yeah, thats probably what it is, but...", but now that you said it, I realize my joints got so much worse after I was on progesterone. I'm pretty sure my sensory issues got worse during that time frame too, actually.
The tampon thing sounds like someone who has a low position cervix or tilted uterus. I am wondering if cloth pads maybe a better option for some bleeding FTM individuals. Much more comfortable too.
a few things from this video that might help some people. Pretty sure the pill (at least the one in england), i was told you only had to take it at the same time every day for the birth control function, though bleeding should usually stop as long as its roughly similar times though that is only what i was told, I had bad experiences of bleeding on the pill. also in the uk there are more options i think. we have pills, implants, injections and patches (think the patch is combination though). The nhs does list like 15 options on their website and i know there are like 3 different injections, though depo seems to be the standard.
Just a note, ik this comment is old, while for combo pills (pills that contain birth control and estrogen) you have a decent window of time to take it, progesterone only pills (sometimes called minipills) require much more close timing, both for birth control and to reduce bleeding.
I have been taking the pill form for 4,5 years now. I also got an injection on the day I started T?? (that was 2 years earlier and I am off T now). I never had a problem with it, I think? I did gain a ton of weight, but that also could have been because of stopping T. And I did get a massive amount of anxiety about six months after I started with these progesterone pills. But I don't know for sure if that's related. 2 years ago I got my period one time but never had any spotting. So I am happy with these pills. It is recommended to stop after age 35 if you smoke cigarettes apparently tho. But anyway. It's good to talk about negative side effects too.
oh, i fogot to mention that the progestagen i am taking greatly helped me in keeping weight as i am constantly fighting losing it. so if the persontaking it tends to gain weight, i guess that pill will increase thant tendency but it does not need to if you eat responsibly. i for my part have just about been able to keep the weight i started with, instead of losing it. i did not gain more than one or two kilos and keep losing them again.
It can increase your chance of getting cancer, but it can also help with PMDD (according to my doctor 🤷🏽). I bleed constantly so I had to stop. I was losing my damned mind.
When I was 15 I was talked out of taking Lupron by the MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL because my bones could be weaker. Now I'm 19 and I went through the wrong puberty and because the long waitlists I haven't started testosterone or had surgery yet. I wish I die in an accident so I won't have to deal with this. My country (sweden) hates me
I have had the same effect when taking hormone-altering contraceptives. They cause my moods to be even lower than usual and I find myself feeling increasingly more suicidal, it really sucks. Progesterone only pill also made me constantly spot for a whole year so I gave up on it :/
in an specific point i star to crying cus i know i have a disfunction in my levels of progesterone, and my gynecologist says that i have to take it cuz i never had a proper period and I'm 20. the thing is I'm not even come out to my family yet. and i wanna to star t at the end of this year, at least, but I'm scared that star taking progesterone make my cycle go crazy. it alsl scares me that testosterone couldn't do the changes i need because of progesterone or that my depression and anxiety gets harder and i just don't even want to star t to fix all the mess. hormones are horrible
I’m going to have uterine ablation. Where they remove a lot of the uterine lineing to make heavy periods lighter. I’m still not sure if it removes your periods completely (Haven’t had the procedure yet), you I thought it would help to know there’s that option too. Love you 😘
I'm from another country, so there is a possibility to have had a language barrier, but I'll ask it anyway and maybe someone will know the answer. There is a way to stop bleeding besides hysterectomy? I guess there is some medicines, but I don't think I know one who didn't altered the other physical things about my body, but also could definitely being not able to be pregnant. I think it's confused, but in short I'm an AFAB non-binary who don't want to have the possibility to be pregnant neither bleed without have to change other aspects about my body or stop developing the ones that is already happening in a less intrusive way (like hysterectomy is).
YES!!! I'm on the progesterone/estrogen pills and have been since I was 14 (severe anemia/twice a month periods) so 8 years... I was put on for more of a medical purpose... I do wanna get put on just the progesterone pills continuously so I don't have to have a period at all... cuz even though I'm on a 13 week cycle instead of a 4 week cycle, that 13th week still gives me really bad dysphoria and I just want it gone...
Hey Aaron, really informative video, thank you for making it! I have a Q relating to the part where you talked about having to choose between medication or a hysto: I thought Testosterone made AFAB people infertile whether or not they also had a hysto, am I missing something?
There's actually conflicting information about that. Afabs on t sometimes get pregnant which is why providers warn you like a broken record "testosterone isn't birth control." There are trans dudes who have gone off t to intentionally get pregnant after fully transitioning. Basically testosterone affect on fertility is unknown / inconclusive at this time
This might be weird but I thought I’d ask in case anyone can help me. I’m female and cis and am asexual and autistic. I am fine being female but I feel dysphoric about my boobs and period. Also when I get my period I kind of want to die. Can I get my period taken away? I don’t want kids.
As far as I know the progesterone (either injection or every day pill) like Aaron mentioned in the video for trans masc people should work for cis women too. (Though Im not a doctor so if you really want to stop your period you should talk to one) Also are you more dysphoric when you feel like other people can see your chest or when you look at yourself in the mirror?
In my opinion, there is not enough information out there about the effects of progesterone, and hormonal birth control, on mental health! It has been proven to cause depression, and I know so many peopleincluding myself who it has affected this way. And yet doctors recommend it left and right to young people without explaining this.
thanks for recognising us transmasc people who aren't men. i always watch trans guys' vids and feel a little weird about not being male when i watch them (i identify as genderqueer/transmasculine)
Genderfluid who does the same here 😁
Just in case anyone else is watching and has EDS and is thinking about progesterone, one of the big things it does is relax ligaments which can make any EDS symptoms worse!
Thabk you Aaron for being so clear cut in your thoughts
And for me you're an autistic role model to me since I'm autistic and you're amazing. Thank you Aaron.
i have been taking a progestagen called chlormadinon for years at two mg per day. bleeding stopped immediately and only comes back if i stop taking it for several days. it is not necessary to take it at a specific hour, it does not matter if i forget it for a day. it also greatly improved my mental state because i feel down when estrogen is high but progestagen keeps it low. it dampened my curves also, it seems, or at least it does not seem to enhance them largely. it is cheap. i have not had any sideeffects. they recommend though to make a break of a month every nine months, i heard. depends on your body, i guess. i am on it for other medical reasons than me being trans although i am just finding out that i am in fact trans and having had no period for years now has really helped a lot against my gender dysphoria.
This was a really great video! I'm a butch woman who started taking depo partially due to trauma-induced dysphoria surrounding my period, and partially as birth control, and there are definitely some things I've learned about it that I'm sure to mention to trans friends considering it for period control:
- a 3-6 month period (first two shots) of inconsistent, long-term bleeding and spotting is pretty normal when starting depo, and I'm very lucky my healthcare provider explained that to me before I started it. From what I understand, it's because the progesterone works by hormonally signaling your uterus to shed its lining constantly, not monthly - meaning the lining needs to be shed until there's no previous buildup left. If you're lucky, your body won't build up any new lining while you're on depo. Mine does, but thankfully I'm only spotting once every three months instead of bleeding heavily every month, so I'll take it.
- If you have chest dysphoria, you should probably be wary about progesterone. Depo usually causes weight gain, specifically around the chest and hips/thighs, and from what I understand progesterone is even sometimes prescribed to trans women to help with body fat redistribution. It actually helped me a lot because I was underweight before I started depo, and I really didn't mind going up a cup size, but I could see it increasing dysphoria for people who don't want a traditionally feminine body shape.
- Unfortunately, the risk of lost bone density is the same for long-term depo as it is for long-term hormone blockers. I don't know about oral progesterone.
I am sooo thankful for trans youtube. It's frustrating how little research is out there about trans people and I would know hardly anything if it wasn't for your channel and others. I can't tell you how thankful I am for all of this information!! Love yooouuu and thank yooouu!!
I love how informative this video is, i didn’t know a lot of this information.
But also, side note, your voice is so calming and I really appreciate it
I love to just listen to your voice, keep up the fantastic work!
Very informative!!! You have gone through so much!!!
Love you buddy!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
*mashes like* it fucked me up too! and I had no clue that that was what was causing it until I stopped it because I started t.
Thanks for your insight Aaron and I'm so sorry your experiences were that horrible on Progesterone.
I thought I'd add another perspective.
I'm on the progesterone pill and the first 6 weeks were hell. I was bleeding constantly, my moobs hurt and I guess the shift in hormones made me anxious.
I do have a history of severe depression, but aside from the temporary anxiety I've been fine.
The biggest issue I faced was taking contraceptives in general since it reminded me of my reproductive system.
By now I'm great though. I've been on Progesterone for 7 months, my cycle, completely stopped, all symptoms of PMS vanished after around 5 months and it just feels so natural to not have to deal with it. My doctor advised me to keep taking it once I start T, mostly because of the contraceptive function.
Anyways have a great weekend y'all. :)
I’m so glad I came across this. I could’ve used this information back in the 90s but better late than never! Thank you I downloaded your video for future reference.
Aaron I think it is awesome that you shared a video like this. Many people don't realize how female harmones will effectively change ones mental wrll being. I am a Cis Female that expetiences sever depression with my cycle. The ups and downs with progesterone.
You are doing an awesome job with your videos. I have learned so much. My nephew is mtf trans and by watching creaters like you, it helps me to understand what being trans involves.
One more thing, and I will end thing long comment. Most manufacturers of medications/drugs have programs to help off set the costs of expensive drugs that someone can not afford. Google it and info shouldbe available.
Thank you so much for this info! I was not aware but I will look into it right away, I appreciate it!
My nephew David became my niece Veronica, If I stated in correctly I do apologize. Her pronouns are she her hers niece aunt and sister.
Hi Aaron! I didn't know about all these methods, thank you for sharing your experience :)
I watched your Gaslighting video after a horrible fight with my abuser and it helped me to finally realize that I'm not imagining the abuse.
Thank you so much for that
❤️❤️❤️❤️
I’m sending you love and support
I’m sorry you’re gone through that ❤️
@@AaronAnsuini 💛💛
I really appreciate the way you explain things Aaron! Even when you get emotional about something, you still remember to explain what you are talking about in detail and give a lot of information with proper explanation. With other creators I sometimes feel like their personal opinions mix with the facts and topics they are presenting. Hugs from Germany!
my doctor didnt prescribe me the projesterone only pill purely because of the history of mental illness within myself and with my family but even with the combined pill it made my menstrual cycle more frequent so (probably due to the fact i most likely have PCOS) and it made my depression worse so i stopped taking it like 3 months ago and I still havent bled since then... maybe my uterus finally got the message
This isn't trans related but my mum had a similar experience with bleeding for months and an increase in her depression symptoms. Now she won't let me on any kind of birth control despite me being unable to move and having extreme pain for at least a full day an night every month. No one warned her of these side effects and now I'm the one who has to pay for it, it just doesn't seem right.
This is such a useful video! In NZ we also have Jadelle rods - 2 tiny, soft plastic (?) rods that release progesterone into the body, which are inserted about halfway along the underside of the upper arm. They last about 5 years and lighten or stop shark week - sometimes they make it worse but that's rare. They also don't have many side effects which is great. At some GPS or sexual health clinics it's free or $5 as far as I know. It lasts 4-5 years, and it's removed the way it's put in, and sometimes if the person wants a new one can be put in straight away. Talking to some sexual health nurses, it's pretty common for Jadelle rods to be prescribed to afab trans folk, especially those in relationships with men/folks with a p**** for contraceptive reasons as well as stopping shark week. I've had mine since March 2018 and I've been shark week free since April - which has been great for stopping shark week dysphoria. I dunno what world wide accessibility to the Jadelle rods is but they've been a lifesaver for me. Here's the Family Planning page on the rod - it's the NZ website - and sadly the language is only catered towards women but I assure you that afab people, regardless of gender, can get it too www.familyplanning.org.nz/advice/contraception/contraceptive-implant
Thank you for the trigger warning (happy 😂)
He warned you
@@komorebi3803 the person probably meant "Thank you for the trigger warnings".
@@ShikisaiMaki I thought about it too but there's still a difference between what they wrote and what they maybe tried to say.
@@komorebi3803 Yeah. I understand. Our comments definitely helped coz it seems like they edited theirs since. 😊
@@ShikisaiMaki It did. Anyways I appriciated your comment 😁 have a nice day 🤗
Good timeing for the video! I just got my IUD a bit ago. My IUD actually is supposed to last up too 7 years. If anyone wants to get on I recommend you go to Planed Parenthood. They were super nice, and helped me understand my options. They also asked me for what pronouns to use for me, and well as a chosen name! Best of luck friends I hope you find a way that makes it works for you! Also don't be afraid to ask me questions, but I can only talk from my experience, and the information the doctors gave me.
Thank You Aaron for sharing your experiences that will be useful to guys that need it, & to know they're not alone.
You're always willing to talk about topics that are hushed or whispered about. Which gives the impression that it's easy for everyone.
I always thought once HTR was started.. it just stopped the MC from showing up. This has been very informative. ❤
Tw/tumor/bleeding
I had a fibroid tumor removed and I had to go through a medical menopause and I thought I was going to lose my mind before the heavy bleeding stopped, & then after getting a shot to take off the side effects of menopause... it took me to a very dark place fast. It would've been nice to know that my mental health was at risk before I had the shot. 🤷🏽♀️
It's very intresting to hear someone else's side of taking progesterone, as I currently do as well. Thank you for posting this.
Lupron is also given to breast cancer survivors for the first five years after the cancer is killed.
Thank you for doing research! I also tried to find credible analysis for trans masc individuals but there weren’t any that I deemed to be fact/science based.
I’m a cis female who has a 5 year Mirena, It has almost eradicated my cycles but I do have random spotting. It changed my body’s odor in general and my arm pits smell more strongly than they ever have. Ofc every body is different but this is my experience.
I don’t want (biological) kids and an IUD was the closest thing to getting my tubes tied. (I’m 24 and have been begging my medical providers for over 10 years)
i appreciate you making this video, so. fucking. much. its really important stuff, yet i had so much trouble finding any kind of information in this regard before starting progesterone, and have been experiencing a lot of bleeding and depression/anxiety that i didnt feel prepared for. i started T in the same week and have been feeling kind of fucked up over that. like, enjoying some of the early changes gets clouded in pain and sadness. lol. i hope people who need this information find their way to this video!
I actually get the depo shot for birth control (as my cycle became unbearable with the pain) and it works great for me. This just shows that everyone’s body has different reactions to different things. It did make me gain weight which I already had a problem with self confidence and depression as it made me view myself worse and had to take antidepressants which had helped me. I still struggle with my mental health, but going back to the shot is extremely helpful for me so I no longer go through the unbearable pain. Anyway everyone’s body reacts differently and whichever works best for you may not work for someone else.
Hello! Afab person here. I live in the UK and have the progesterone in my arm implant. Family and personal history of mental health. Feel like my moods are more even than ever on it. No mensuration the first 12-18months but now it’s back but lighter than before.
Just putting my experience out there to show that it can be really positive for some people.
I took the micropill with progesterone only twice, for a couple months... Each time was horriiiiiible. I had the worst mood swings ever, debilitating migraines and still had my periods. There's also suicide in my family, my paternal grand-mother took her life 6 months after she had her last child. Now I had a copper IUD as a form of birth control but it will be time to change it soon. I'm supposed to start T really really soon, so hopefully now the doctors will take me seriously when I talk about hysterectomy...
I just have to say I love you and how you do your videos so much. It gives me life, I swear. 😊😊😊
I have autism and PMDD, had the injection and also the progesterone implant at different points both of which made my mood extremely low to the point of hospitalisation- Thank you so much for this video and info.
thanks for this video. I considered taking progesterone to stop my cycle before going on Testosterone but I struggle with chronic depression and suicidality so this is probably not an ideal choice for me personally. I‘ll probably consider Lupron if my ensurance covers it (not sure if this will work for me though cause of its effects on bone density since I am at risk for osteoporosis due to being underweight), otherwise I‘ll have to wait it out until I can finally get on Testosterone
Finally the info I've been needing. I'm going on hormones through planned parenthood on march 28th and already had the depo shot so I was really worried. Thank you for this.
Hi Aaron! This is an informative video! :)
TW: IUD, Birth control, Mention of parts, Gyno appt
I'm a trans masc person and a bit before my 1.5 years on T, I got an IUD for birth control. For me, it was a fairly traumatic experience. I had a hymen that was fairly inflexible, so even with the doctor being gentle I was in a lot of pain. In the experience, it was how my hymen was torn. I'm happy that my wife was there to comfort and advocate for me. I was already pretty freaked out by my lower dysphoria. Plus, my main doctor (GP) was unable to do the procedure due to him being on his residency and hadn't done it before. The gyno on call didn't have as much experience with trans people, so I constantly got misgenered by her.
Tl;dr I had a traumatic experience with getting an IUD. If you cannot insert a tampon, make sure all parties know if you are getting one!!!
I’m on the (forbidden) injection and have been for about a year and I guess I’m pretty lucky because I’ve had zero side effects other than my cycle completely stopping and that’s fantastic. In fact, after the first shot, I never got one again. Like there was no three-six month thing for me, it just flat out stopped which was nice. It might be because I’m hella scrawny but whatever. This was a great video!
I’m pre-T and take progesterone because my mom isn’t cool with me starting T yet because it scares her (I’m a minor so I can’t do anything about it) and I use the pill form and it works really well for me. My shark weeks were a lot lighter than most people’s I know of, which probably comes into play, and I haven’t bled since starting it maybe 4-5 months ago. I’m also a really forgetful person and will sometimes forget to take it for a day or even two days in a row but I still haven’t had anything so it’s pretty great
Thanks for this video so much, hope this didn't make u feel uncomfortable to make, ironically I started the pill to stop the thing to help with my disphoria,
Tw: cycles and related
A few months before I started T my doctor suggested aygestin (the oral pill). I have been on it for about 4 months and haven’t experienced any bad side effects. I sometimes forget to take my pills and I haven’t had any issues with my bleeding coming back. I feel like it is a good fit for me because it stopped my periods about a month in and the only weird thing is that I spotted for a while after my last period. I understand that everyone’s different so I just wanted to put my story out there in case some of you got anxiety when prescribed this medication.
Just letting you know that you're not the only one. I've been on progesterone for 2 years, it stopped my bleeding but my mental health was the worst... I'm so glad I'm getting off of it.
Thanks for the video, I didn't realise this would be so relevant to me as it is honestly. I'm really glad you made this.
I've wondered if the Depo is related to a worsening of my EDS symptoms too, and knowing you've had a similar experience (and someone else in the comments) makes me wonder more. I had a huge health crash about a year (maybe less?) after I started it (didn't know I had EDS at the time), and my health hasn't been the same since. I put it down to me doing more than I could manage at the time (full time education and nearly 0 spoons), but I can't help but wonder. I did hear a while back that progesterone increases joint laxity though, which seems like a super obvious issue for people with EDS though.
Fortunately, it did 100% stop me bleeding with no obvious side effects, and I'd been on it 7-8 years before starting testosterone last year. I'd been anxious to get off it for a while due to potential bone density issues and the laxity thing, and I had some unpleasant 'withdrawal' effects for 2 months after stopping. My GP was very keen to get me off it too tbh. But I couldn't come off it before starting T cause I'd been basically bed bound for a week prior to bleeding before I started the depo, and I can't deal with that happening again.
What I do know is that we need more research on the effects of drugs on folks with EDS, and more medical info and resources for trans folks too. It really sucks just having to find these things out through experience, but still not being able to draw proper conclusions.
I'm not sure if it was mentioned in the video, but there's also an arm implant! It's called Nexplanon, and I have it. From my experience it's been pretty good, my menstrual cycles have stopped. However when I first got it implanted my emotions were all over the place, and I bled for about a month straight which wasn't fun, and during the year I've had it I've gained 20 lbs. My cycles have stopped though and I don't have to think about it or worry about getting it replaced for a couple years. 💕
I ask have the arm implant! Before I bled very irregularly (like all the time) and it was horrible, but I know bleed very rarely, however when I do its not a good time :[ BUT as a trans-masc individual you can have the implant and be on Testosterone! It serves as birth control for me now, and it regulates me until T causes my time-of-bleeding to end
i also have the implant and am on T, also using it for birth control. it made my cycle come back after T had stopped it which is upsetting, and i had bled for almost two months straight. now its slowing down but ive been spotting a lot then bleeding on a typical monthly basis. still waiting for it to stop but its well worth not getting pregnant lmao
Found your channel because of your tattoo machine video ..... wanted to watch more of your vids and found this video .... I had honestly never thought about you still having periods, which really shocked me ..... I just can’t imagine how traumatic it is for you having to go through that every time, I’m so sorry you have to go through all this just to be who you should have been since birth ❤️❤️❤️. Tina xx
Hey, I’m a cis woman with HSD and find that my joint instability, pain and fatigue get much worse when I get the progesterone spike in my menstrual cycle, to the point that I’m pretty incapacitated for a week each month. One of the jobs of progesterone is to soften tendons and ligaments to accommodate pregnancy and birth. So it makes sense that your EDS flared at that point, just as my HSD does. I’ve heard a few transmasc folk with HSD and EDS say T improved their symptoms a lot. My GP (UK) can’t refer me to endocrinology because my bloods are totally normal, though. He also doesn’t get it at all and suggested that if I was struggling with my cycle he could prescribe a progesterone only contraceptive! Roll on menopause I guess!
Hopefully that wasn't too difficult to talk about, but thanks for sharing! You're so fantastic at being super informative and I love it, keep it up!!!
Thank you for making this video Aaron, it's great to see someone talking about this! I've considered making a video on my own experience with this - I had progesterone as part of a birth control pill for between six months and a year. It did completely stop my periods which was fantastic for my dysphoria BUT it also made my mental health spiral downwards into some of the worst anxiety I've ever had. I ended up having to come off it because it was causing me more harm than good, and I wish there was more awareness of those potential side effects.
Great video! Not helpful to me now but a couple years ago when I started T my doctor knew nothing about birth control options for people on T. My spouse has since had a vasectomy so we don't have to worry about anything and I haven't had any bleeding luckily.
Thank you for talking about this. The information you talk about is so important
Progesteron is well known to increase Depression. I have endometriose and i read a lot about hormons to find a way to help against my pain. Progesteron is the best way, sadly....
What's weird is, I found out I was allergic to progesterone and estrogen... I found out I wasn't allergic to testosterone. SO, I got a hysto and double opphorectomy, I didn't want kids anyways, but KNOW that there are MANY kids out there who need adoption! I am grateful for your video Aaron, this is a great video! I won't go into any details but any birth control I've ever taken made me SO SICK it was awful. I started testosterone after my medical hysto and oophorectomy, that I actually felt so much better it changed my life and my mental state because I wasn't afraid of getting my period any more. If anyone wants to keep their uterus/ovaries, more kudos to you, I am against "forced sterilization" of trans people, but I really needed it to feel comfortable in my own body. I did NOT opt for lower surgery though (metoidio or phallo), I didn't want my body to malfunction after finally figuring out I could get any pleasure out of my body. Tampons hurt me SO BAD that I had to either use pads or get what's called a uterine ablation (a doctor sedates you and they go in and burn your uterine lining so there is no more or very little shedding of the monthly lining). Ablation means no kids, possibly no periods, and it helped for a while until I had to get a polypectomy from my uterus, it was so painful it was a nightmare (they had to undo my ablation, go back in, re-open my uterus to remove the polyps causing the monthly pain). Ablation IS a form of sterilization/period reduction, and it DID help, but with my past, it wasn't my true answer. Thank you Aaron, you're the best, thank you for your candid and honest experience, I hope I didn't trigger anyone with my comments, but I wanted to let anyone know that uterine ablation IS an option. Ablation can also "possibly" lead to having genetic children, it doesn't sterilize you as much as tubal ligation. Both are semi-reversible, not 100% pregnancy/period proof, but it really does cut down on the dysphoria. I hope this helps.
I read that ablation can be done again if it doesn't get rid of the bleeding the first time and pretty much everyone stops shedding after 3 rounds
@@e.s.lavall9219 In must cases yes, but every time they have to go back in, there's more chance for ruptures, tears, and damaged tissue that eventually requires hysto unfortunately.
I have been on progesterone for MDD for 10 years and had a hard first year; but after that first year it evened out as it helped my dysphoria. I also suffer from cronic deperssion becuse of a brain injury so it was a risk but i´m happy I took it and it worked out for me.
I loved this video, keep it up man
The depo shot is what I've been using for the last year and a half, and it's been fantastic for me at least. It's not 100% perfect, I do occasionally get spotting or cramping generally right before my shot is due again, but otherwise my cycle has completely stopped and I've been able to transition on T this whole time without any setbacks. I am an intersex guy (CAFAB) so my parts are a bit different, but still similar to other trans guys. I'm hoping I had my last depo shot recently as I'm planning to get my hysto this year! It's kinda scary but I'm hoping it's a step in the right direction! 😬
Thanks I'm starting my transition in July, this helps a lot because i was given a referral letter to get progesterone.
Certainly in the UK if you have the progesterone only pill you are told to take it all the time. I have not physically transitioned yet but am on this pill and take it all the time (for physical reasons as well as mental) .
I am on testosterone and also taking LoLoestrin which is an extremely low dose estrogen + progesterone pill. My doctor (who specializes exclusively in trans healthcare/HRT) said it was okay for me to continue taking it when I started T because it is such a low dose. I just started T 4 weeks ago, but I have been on LoLoestrin for about 5-6 years. It pretty much stopped my monthly bleeding even before I began to skip the sugar pills. I've been told that experience is common with this medication. It's also great b/c the low dose is less likely to cause side effects in most (not all) people.
I was on the injection method for a while last year and I have not stopped bleeding for 7ish months. Thank you for talking about this it’s nice to know someone’s had a similar experience and made it through :) btw I don’t think it has anything to do with anemia because I’m not anemic
Sooo, can feeling disgust and nausea at the mention or thought of anything to do with menstruation be gender dysphoria? I feel so bad sometimes that the mere thought of me menstruating makes me feel sick because it's just biology and can even be something really powerful for women.
Also, the first half of this video was great but I just can't deal with this topic atm. Will come back to it some other time. Thanks for making this and putting the information out there :)
I have had one those birth-control implants (Nexplanon) that they put inside your arm for like four months now, pretty sure that's also progesterone based. My doctor recommended it to me when i told her my periods make me very dysphoric but im very much not yet ready to go on T. I am also extremely forgetful so the pill really did not work for me. The implant hasn't completely succeeded yet in what it was implanted to do, but things are a lot better than they used to be in that regard.
I also have quite a bad history with mental health but like, while my depression isn't doing great tbh, it hasn't gotten worse either since implanting the thing in my arm. Hopefully it won't get worse from here.
That's not to invalidate anybody else's experience obviously. Our bodies are different and react to things differently. Be open with your doctors about the symptoms you have and treatment options available.
Thank you for sharing this information with us 😊
TW/CW:
I don't think I'm trans masculine, I'm AFAB, and thought I might be non-binary, but I'm pretty comfortable with my body for the most part, there are some things I wish I could change, but are rather just a nuisance than a "I absolutely NEED to" thing. I've struggled with periods before too, and birth control. Most of the contraceptive pills I was on, I was on to protect me from getting pregnant. I hated that it made me feel like I had no emotions, but I love that I was able to focus more on my work because of it. It's more of a hormone regulator, but can be bad if you have mental conditions/disorders at times. I love the fact that periods are pretty light or almost gone, but I hated the fact that it would cause vaginal dryness. I've also hated the opposite just as much. I've thought about binding my chest before, and did with a crappy one, but it didn't work too well. I also like finding bras that fit really well too. I don't want to ruin my tissue completely though, if it will get "flesh pockets" as some trans men and trascmasc people mentioned. I already have rashes under my breasts, and I've put ointment on it to try and prevent the skin from getting any more distorted, but it's still there. I'm wondering if I need to use baby powder, but kind of hard to use after showering. Sorry if that's too much info, put a TW/CW at the top, in case anyone might find it scary. I just thought someone might have the same/similar experience. It can be hard being a woman sometimes, I don't like to bleed, and I sometimes don't like how in the way my breasts are, and the thought of having a baby inside me makes me cringe, but I do think about becoming a parent some day. But I don't have a pardner anymore ^^; I just thought I'm not trans because I don't really see myself as completely manly either, and trying to act like it just makes me look like more of a dick (no pun intended lol) :D
I had a hormone iud for several years and had it removed. 5 years later I developed multiple sclerosis. there are a lot of theories that many other people who have used iud's also develop MS later in life. I wish I had never used the iud. this is my experience and I am not given dr advice just sharring my experience
Honestly I think that prescribed Depo Provera to Aaron was irresponsible for not even mentioning how it can affect mental health. That's one of the first things I was told about it. I was told how depo is a much higher amount of progesterone than any of the other progesterone options because the full dose is only injected every 3 months, so the amount in your body really drops creating more severe cycling and that is part of what makes it a not so great choice for people with mental health things already.
I've had good experiences with the IUD! And if you're not comfortable with an IUD, there's also options like patches and implants that are a more stable dose than the injection that seems to be like the in-between between a daily pill and an IUD. There are options!
I tried the progesterone only pill briefly, half for bleeding/half for birth control, but I didn't like worrying about taking it at the same time either.
So when I was looking into other progesterone-only options I decided to get a Mirena (also 'cause it's the lowest amount of the hormone needed of any of the options due to the location), and for the first few months I ended up constantly spotting with almost no stopping, but it was a small enough amount that I just wore black cotton underwear all the time and didn't bother with pads ect. I ended up getting an inserted ultrasound just to check things because it was a while that I was having all this spotting. But it ended up clearing up sometime between the 6-8 month mark (I don't remember), and I ended up being period-free after that for 2.5 years or so! It was greatttttt! Birth control and no bleeding without worrying about anything. I love it and totally recommend it!
What happened to me though after 2.5 years, I had the rare occurrence of the IUD falling out. So, I had to get a new one put in, and in the mean time had to experience bleeding again. -.- It was honestly so long since I had dealt with periods that I totally forgot how to do the things related to them, what it was like to go shopping for menstrual products, and had donated almost all of the extra menstrual stuff I had at home before. This time around, instead of just light spotting that was easy to deal with, it's been actually full-blown bleeding with a week or two between it starting again. :/ I'm at that point right now but I'm nearing the 6-month mark, so I'm actually very glad to have watched this video 'cause noone told me when the bleeding usually stops again. But, if all goes as planned, in a couple months, I won't have to deal with bleeding again for another 4-ish years. Thank goodness. So it's totally worth the trouble/ investment for me.
I'm a15 year trans masc who has not had any hormone treatments(blockers orT) and has not had my menstrual cycle so I'm hoping that will benefit me when I try to take T in it stoping but in case it doesn't this information was very helpful thank you
Got the "Cheap Caribbean" Ad! Then "Immuno-oncology"
I did a more general video about this recently re: birth control :D nice to see it covered by someone with an actual audience lol
As a MTF with both genders reproductive system...my cycle is unaffected by oral Prometrium Progesterone and Delestrogen injections.I guess it is not uncommon for the reproductive system to "ignore" HRT....loks like that shot maybe an alternative...PMDD really sucks..
I want to get an IUD but the idea of having a time limit and not being able to take it out myself scares me.
Yikes. I know everyone’s different but I’m definitely going to make sure none of these side effects are going to effect me because I have /debilitating/ pain (endometriosis) and I’m currently on the oestrogen/progesterone pill but obviously that can’t continue when I start T. Thanks for this info!!
hey, I'm genderqueer and I don't ID as transmasculine but this is relevant to me. "AFAB people who medically transition" isn't the same as transmasc (I personally feel testosterone moves me towards "genderqueer" and not "masculine", for example)
Thanks for making this video aaron, I’ve recently come out and need the cycle to end, but don’t plan on going on T. So I was thinking about my options, and thinking about progesterone. So this is just the info I needed. Now I don’t know with all the side affects, especially mental health. Even if it’s a small chance, I’m not depressed but I don’t wanna risk it. What’s a guy to do though 😩. I might talk to my doctor about it when I get one
I would totally talk to your doc! :) I've had good experiences with other progesterone-only methods and honestly the injections are one of the most severe and highest dosage of all the choices. I call my IUD my HRT 'cause I also don't plan on going on T anytime soon. All the best!
ntcssj I’ll think about that thanks
I've been told by a nurse that it's not always good to do the injection if you havent carried a child (I cant remember the exact explanation) but she said basically that if you havent you might get way worse bleeding and usually people who have just stop bleeding usually? Idk?
My doctor told me to take it to start my period ( I felt super dysphoric and horrible during the whole experience) once it was over I never took it again and am still refusing to take it even though my mom won’t get off my back about it I’m 18 though so she can’t force me to do anything I can’t wait to move out and actually go see a gender therapist to see what’s up with me, I know I’m masculine, I can’t look at my chest, it makes me feel really bad when I do, but without any sort of cycle I don’t have much lower body dysphoria I guess I got half lucky there
I had the shot and it was terrible for me I bled so much that I became anemic because I didn't stop bleeding for a YEAR.
But I know several people who it works for
You are awesome😊
I am on progresterone as a birth control and to control my period but because of my EDS I have developed menstrual gingivitis which sucks. I honestly don't know what to do
I’m currently on depo provera and in the process of trying to get a diagnosis explaining my chronic pain and skeletal issues and I’ve noticed an increase in subluxations after being on it but it has been the only thing to stop my menstrual cycle so take the pain of my subluxations over having my menstrual cycle again
I didn't even think about this until you pointed it out - I was on progesterone for a short period after I started testosterone to make everything stop while we waited to see if T would stop it, and my mental health went haywire after I started it, as did my physical health. I don't have an EDS diagnosis other than two doctors saying "yeah, thats probably what it is, but...", but now that you said it, I realize my joints got so much worse after I was on progesterone. I'm pretty sure my sensory issues got worse during that time frame too, actually.
The tampon thing sounds like someone who has a low position cervix or tilted uterus. I am wondering if cloth pads maybe a better option for some bleeding FTM individuals. Much more comfortable too.
a few things from this video that might help some people. Pretty sure the pill (at least the one in england), i was told you only had to take it at the same time every day for the birth control function, though bleeding should usually stop as long as its roughly similar times though that is only what i was told, I had bad experiences of bleeding on the pill.
also in the uk there are more options i think. we have pills, implants, injections and patches (think the patch is combination though). The nhs does list like 15 options on their website and i know there are like 3 different injections, though depo seems to be the standard.
Just a note, ik this comment is old, while for combo pills (pills that contain birth control and estrogen) you have a decent window of time to take it, progesterone only pills (sometimes called minipills) require much more close timing, both for birth control and to reduce bleeding.
I took progesterone for a bit, it made me depressed and crave sugar. It also got rid of my sex drive.
I have been taking the pill form for 4,5 years now. I also got an injection on the day I started T?? (that was 2 years earlier and I am off T now). I never had a problem with it, I think? I did gain a ton of weight, but that also could have been because of stopping T. And I did get a massive amount of anxiety about six months after I started with these progesterone pills. But I don't know for sure if that's related. 2 years ago I got my period one time but never had any spotting. So I am happy with these pills. It is recommended to stop after age 35 if you smoke cigarettes apparently tho. But anyway. It's good to talk about negative side effects too.
oh, i fogot to mention that the progestagen i am taking greatly helped me in keeping weight as i am constantly fighting losing it. so if the persontaking it tends to gain weight, i guess that pill will increase thant tendency but it does not need to if you eat responsibly. i for my part have just about been able to keep the weight i started with, instead of losing it. i did not gain more than one or two kilos and keep losing them again.
It can increase your chance of getting cancer, but it can also help with PMDD (according to my doctor 🤷🏽). I bleed constantly so I had to stop. I was losing my damned mind.
When I was 15 I was talked out of taking Lupron by the MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL because my bones could be weaker. Now I'm 19 and I went through the wrong puberty and because the long waitlists I haven't started testosterone or had surgery yet. I wish I die in an accident so I won't have to deal with this. My country (sweden) hates me
I have had the same effect when taking hormone-altering contraceptives. They cause my moods to be even lower than usual and I find myself feeling increasingly more suicidal, it really sucks. Progesterone only pill also made me constantly spot for a whole year so I gave up on it :/
theres also the implant aka nexplanon
in an specific point i star to crying cus i know i have a disfunction in my levels of progesterone, and my gynecologist says that i have to take it cuz i never had a proper period and I'm 20. the thing is I'm not even come out to my family yet. and i wanna to star t at the end of this year, at least, but I'm scared that star taking progesterone make my cycle go crazy. it alsl scares me that testosterone couldn't do the changes i need because of progesterone or that my depression and anxiety gets harder and i just don't even want to star t to fix all the mess. hormones are horrible
to find more information you should consider looking up PCOS in cis women.
I’m going to have uterine ablation. Where they remove a lot of the uterine lineing to make heavy periods lighter. I’m still not sure if it removes your periods completely (Haven’t had the procedure yet), you I thought it would help to know there’s that option too. Love you 😘
I'm from another country, so there is a possibility to have had a language barrier, but I'll ask it anyway and maybe someone will know the answer. There is a way to stop bleeding besides hysterectomy? I guess there is some medicines, but I don't think I know one who didn't altered the other physical things about my body, but also could definitely being not able to be pregnant. I think it's confused, but in short I'm an AFAB non-binary who don't want to have the possibility to be pregnant neither bleed without have to change other aspects about my body or stop developing the ones that is already happening in a less intrusive way (like hysterectomy is).
YES!!! I'm on the progesterone/estrogen pills and have been since I was 14 (severe anemia/twice a month periods) so 8 years... I was put on for more of a medical purpose... I do wanna get put on just the progesterone pills continuously so I don't have to have a period at all... cuz even though I'm on a 13 week cycle instead of a 4 week cycle, that 13th week still gives me really bad dysphoria and I just want it gone...
Hey Aaron, really informative video, thank you for making it!
I have a Q relating to the part where you talked about having to choose between medication or a hysto: I thought Testosterone made AFAB people infertile whether or not they also had a hysto, am I missing something?
There's actually conflicting information about that. Afabs on t sometimes get pregnant which is why providers warn you like a broken record "testosterone isn't birth control." There are trans dudes who have gone off t to intentionally get pregnant after fully transitioning. Basically testosterone affect on fertility is unknown / inconclusive at this time
I know that trans femme people sometimes take it to make them curvier? Would that happen to trans guys too?
damn, that's rough.
So a doctor told me that I can keep taking the combined pill while taking testosterone, what is your opinion?
This might be weird but I thought I’d ask in case anyone can help me. I’m female and cis and am asexual and autistic. I am fine being female but I feel dysphoric about my boobs and period. Also when I get my period I kind of want to die. Can I get my period taken away? I don’t want kids.
As far as I know the progesterone (either injection or every day pill) like Aaron mentioned in the video for trans masc people should work for cis women too. (Though Im not a doctor so if you really want to stop your period you should talk to one)
Also are you more dysphoric when you feel like other people can see your chest or when you look at yourself in the mirror?
Normally my cycle is 3-4 and very not evy flow, it's really not much
Will it stop after a few months?
Is progesterone safe to use while on T? Does it affect negatively or is there something? Idk.
❤❤❤
In my opinion, there is not enough information out there about the effects of progesterone, and hormonal birth control, on mental health! It has been proven to cause depression, and I know so many peopleincluding myself who it has affected this way. And yet doctors recommend it left and right to young people without explaining this.
But trans women also take progesterone...isn’t it feminizing?