This past June, I added progesterone to my HRT regimen. I was hoping it would help with natural maturation (and growth) of my breasts. And it did just that. After approximately eight months on progesterone (prog as we refer to it in the trans community), my breasts have matured from Tanner Stage 3 to Tanner Stage 4 / 5.
I had not matured beyond Tanner 3 after 13 years on just estrogen and an anti-androgen. I discontinued use of the anti-androgen in November after my gender affirming surgery. I was quite pleased with the results of starting prog as an add-on to my HRT regimen. However, it did result in one issue that I have been increasingly troubled by.
As I have mentioned before, I have dealt with migraine headaches since early in my tween years. I was about eleven when I had the first migraine I remember. In case you aren’t aware, a common trigger for migraines in women is hormonal fluctuation, especially related to menstrual cycle. By adding prog to my regimen, I was causing my body to more closely mimic cisgender female hormones.
You may have guessed where this is going. My migraines have become more frequent since starting prog, and significantly more severe. It reached the point where, in September of this past year, I requested a prescription for a migraine interrupter drug. I started a generic of Imitrex at the end of September. For a few months, I was able to successfully use that to control my migraines.
This past week, though, I had four separate migraines in a period of three days. After that experience, I began to rethink the importance of taking prog. Worth noting, Imitrex has a contraindication for persons with arrhythmia. I should not be taking it often. It can make my arrhythmia worse. I decided, based on those factors, that I would discontinue taking progesterone. I discussed that with my HRT clinician, and she agreed with my thinking.
This past Thursday, I discontinued prog. I felt that the potential for further benefit from that hormone was being far outweighed by the increase in migraine frequency and severity. As always, there are pros and cons to decisions made that impact one’s health. I weighed them, and made the best possible decision for myself.
The journey continues.
An Aging Trans Woman 
At this point there is no reason for you to keep taking Progesterone. It has already done what you wanted it to do for you. It very well could be adding to your migraines. I was worried about you most of last week. I am so glad you made this decision my love.
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Thank you my dear. I love you ❤️. Your support is so very important to me. You give me a reason to be hopeful. 🌹
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Sensible self care decision. I appreciate you sharing this, Janet. Sometimes hormones are precisely what a person needs, at least for a while, then usually hormones overstay their welcome, or something like that! Anyway, thank you for sharing this, especially your thoughts as you decided, because that will help others with similar decisions.
I feel yet more fortunate (and humbled) that I didn’t need to add hormones during my peri- and meno.
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