r/FTMOver30 • u/M0rgarella • 3d ago

HRT Q/A Early Shot Side Effects (headache)?

CW: periods

Just did my first shot on Monday after years of delays and backing out! But I’ve had a headache on and off for the couple days after.

It probably didn’t help that I did the shot like the day before my period started, and I’m prone to headaches with hormonal fluctuations. But I’m wondering if anyone has experienced this during the early stages? If you were prone to hormonal headache before you started T, what were the early doses like?

I’m on 50mg (.25mL of 200mg/mL) of cypionate every 2 weeks for the first four doses, and then have a follow up with my endocrinologist with blood work in between shots. I know this is a more spread out regimen than I’ve seen other people on, as the weekly shots seem more common. I have some other health considerations, so I’m not mad about taking it slow. I have IIH with stenosis (well managed with Diamox and lifestyle), PMOS, hEDS.

Other than the headache I have felt really good. My sleep is already better, so is my energy. I’m hoping it’s just an initial reaction to the T in combination with my own messed up E dominant system, and that it evens out as I go.

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u/mousebrained_ 3d ago

hi! chronic migraine sufferer here. my migraines were somewhat related to hormonal fluctuations but I also just get them randomly. My migraines were absolutely unbearable that first week, and then my migraine threshold was lower the first couple of days after shots for a few weeks but well managed with medication. After a couple of months (maybe 8-12 weeks, gradually improving that whole time and NOTHING like that first week) my migraines are back to normal/better than they were pre-T (better because I know longer get menstrual migraines).

When I was in the thick of it I made a post and got feedback here which you might find helpful: https://www.reddit.com/r/FTMOver30/comments/1pvfcg6/testosterone_and_migraines/

The biggest piece of advice I have is that you probably are not drinking enough water. Whatever you were drinking before, you need to drink more for at least that beginning stage of puberty. Possibly need to eat more too, it might help to incorporate an extra snack into your day.

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u/M0rgarella 3d ago

Thank you! Super helpful, I’ll read through the rest of that post.

I’ve been chugging water for sure! I actually drink a ton since I’m on diuretics for the IIH. I think I’m not eating enough, though. That’s been hard. I haven’t had a big appetite to begin with so I’ll need to address that. Doesn’t help that I’m super nauseous when I get up every morning, but I’m hoping some of that will also subside as I get further into taking T.

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u/Miles_Everhart 3d ago

Drink more water

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u/royalbluetoad 30-39 | he/they | 💉 11/25 | 🔪 4/26 3d ago

I had terrible headaches when I started. I made myself drink nearly a gallon of water each day was the only thing which helped. They have since gone away but I can tell when I need to drink more because one comes back! I suspect when you and I get past the water retention phase (I'm a year in and I think I'm on the downhill but my face still hasn't thinned out) this sensitivity may improve. I also think it is hormonal at times... If I tracked it closely I could probably find a correlation. But for me, water (or other sugar free low caffeine drink) is the answer.