Young, healthy volunteers were recruited by posters and flyers on the university campuses in Linköping and Jönköping, Sweden. This would however have made the study extremely demanding for the participants in exchange for a relatively small gain that most probably would not have affected the final conclusions. Concerning the specific testosterone analysis, the well-reputed Salimetrics material was not only used for the biochemical analysis, but also for sampling, and to minimize pipetting errors a robot was used during the analysis, further adding to the reliability of the method. The design of the current study has attempted to control for and register all known influencing factors by a careful inclusion process, relatively large number of participants, pairwise design and control for confounders. Strictly, no statistically significant difference was found between the ovulation t-shirts and non-ovulation t-shirts. Even though human ovulation since long been considered concealed to the male partner , recent evidence has indicated that males may react to ovulatory stimuli. It’s not a major difference in strength, the exact pattern varies per woman and how strength is measured, and some women and several studies report no difference in strength across the menstrual cycle, but there’s a trend. While a 2020 meta-analysis found no consistent, statistically significant effect of menstrual cycle phase on strength, many women are a bit stronger during the follicular phase when the estradiol to progesterone ratio is high. For some people, low testosterone levels might be the cause of persistent periods, but this isn’t always the case. As with our study, this might suggest that the type of testosterone formulation used influences the testosterone levels achieved, which might, in turn, be linked to periods stopping within 6 months. Similarly, a European study found that lower testosterone levels might contribute to periods persisting after 6 months, as well as using testosterone gel (rather than testosterone injections). To try and get a better understanding of what might be going on, we recently surveyed just over 400 trans and gender-diverse people using testosterone about their periods before and after starting hormone therapy. As an experienced medical doctor, I've witnessed firsthand how the menstrual cycle at different ages can impact testosterone levels in women. However, a range of 22 to 36 days is considered a normal duration of the menstrual cycle. In support of hormones as the driving force behind the effectiveness of menstrual periodization, there were positive correlations between the women’s gains and estradiol & testosterone and negative correlations for progesterone. So same total workouts, just performed either regularly across the menstrual cycle, as most people do, or with a higher frequency in the follicular phase. • Other fertile females living together with the participating couple The final selection of participants was made on the basis of the questionnaires, aiming to recruit a healthy and fertile group in which the hypothesized phenomenon was thought to be most likely to occur. After the participants contacted the research team, they were provided more detailed information about the study and were asked to answer an electronic inclusion/exclusion questionnaire. Sometimes a doctor will recommend an internal pelvic ultrasound (also known as transvaginal ultrasound), where the images are collected by inserting an ultrasound tool into the vagina/front hole. For this reason, it’s best to chat to a doctor about your individual health. However, it’s important to remember that testosterone isn’t a reliable contraceptive, and pregnancy may still be a possibility. If the egg is not fertilized with a sperm, the egg will die and it is shed from the uterus with the lining – this causes menstruation, or a period. Future study protocols should include at least three sampling points per MC as a peak cannot be demonstrated when plotting only two measurements. It was a sense of alignment and comfort in my body that can only be described as gender euphoria. Using masturbation to explore pleasure in a changing body is a helpful tool to learn what feels good and how to communicate your boundaries to partners. Personally, I started HRT feeling pretty neutral about bottom growth, and uncertain that it would even happen due to my low dose of testosterone. Read on for what you need to know when it comes to menstruation and transgender health. People on testosterone GAHT/HRT may stop bleeding every month as a result of taking HRT. Transgender men, nonbinary people, and other gender variant people can menstruate, too. Best time for him to… work as part of a team, pitch clients or customers, brainstorm ideas, go on a date. Best time for him to… assemble a DIY desk, compete in a contest, work on a project solo, figure out the best driving route, enjoy passionate sex. During these peak testosterone hours, he may also be more easily angered (for instance, if he stubs his toe, he might lose his top) and be more likely to say "no" to a favor or request. For example, estrogen promotes glucose uptake in type I muscle fibers and prevents protein catabolism. Ironically, progesterone’s catabolic effects seem to be partly the result of counteracting estrogen’s positive effects. Estrogen is commonly vilified as the hormone that makes you fat and frail, a reputation based largely on the results of male steroid users. Menstrual periodization is more concise and, well, interesting. Please see your doctor for specific health advice for your individual circumstances. You can find additional trans-affirming resources about sexual and reproductive health here. These can be prescribed (without oestrogen) in pill form, as implants, intrauterine devices, or as a long-lasting injection.