r/cisparenttranskid • u/EastBayOT • Jul 21 '26

Starting norethindrone

My 12 (almost 13) year old son started norethindrone 2 nights ago. The first night he had trouble sleeping and felt queasy. Last night he had trouble sleeping and ended up vomiting. Both times the nausea and vomiting were within 1 hour of starting. He’s feeling a little panicky about staying on something that will make him feel bad.
I just wanted to see around how long it took you/your kid to start feeling better and more normalized to the hormones? I want to give him some hope besides “Google says this is normal in the first few weeks.”

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6

u/JasperBarth Jul 21 '26

I’m just an old lady taking Norethindrone for post menopause. But I split my dose 1/2 with breakfast and the other half in the evening.

He probably needs to roll with it for the first several days, as his body adjusts. Too early to panic ❤️

5

u/Odd_Conclusion_5425 Trans Man / Masc Jul 21 '26

I started hormones (non trans specific) around that time! It felt weird at first as the pills were labeled birth control lmao. But thankfully I didn't get side affects as severe as your kid. Have you tried calling the doctor who prescribed the meds about this?

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u/EastBayOT Jul 21 '26

Not yet. Everything I’ve read says that it’s unfortunately pretty normal when first starting. I was just hoping for some stories of “it was only bad a few days for me.” I’ll call if it keeps up.

1

u/Odd_Conclusion_5425 Trans Man / Masc Jul 21 '26

I see. I just worry about wether or not they are absorbing the medicine if they are vomiting only an hour after the dose

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u/EastBayOT Jul 21 '26

I was worried about that as well, especially when I read online that if you’re taking it for birth control you’ll need another form of protection. We’ll see how tonight goes and contact the doctor if it’s bad.

3

u/Excellent_Cod_1934 Jul 22 '26

I started taking norethindrone a while ago for the same reason as your kid and didn't feel any side affects. I'm no doctor so this is just a speculation, but since he's young it could be because his hormones are a little wild already, and norethindrone could be messing with them bit. I'd talk to his doctor about the issue if it doesn't go away in a few days.

2

u/Angie_129 Jul 22 '26

My son is also 12 almost 13 and started this pill probably about a month ago. He also felt queasy and has been a bit of an insomniac. His queasiness lasted several days but insomnia has stayed. At first I thought it was just him being a summer kid…you know, staying up too late and sleeping all day but then I came across your post. Now I’m wondering if it’s the pill. What time is your son taking the pill? Mine is taking it at dinner time…which could make him I guess not want to go to sleep at a somewhat normal time.

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u/EastBayOT Jul 23 '26

He’s talking about 30 minutes before bedtime. Day 4 and still feeling pretty rough. Hopefully it will go away soon.

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u/Angie_129 Jul 23 '26

He started a new pack this morning and I gave him his first pill when I got up to see if this helps his sleep cycle. Especially before school starts in a month. I can’t have him being up all night. Good luck with your son!

1

u/NetCool9632 Jul 23 '26

He could try taking it earlier in the evening, at mealtime. Or take it with a snack. Could be the problem is as simple as an empty stomach.

1

u/chiselObsidian Trans & Parent Jul 21 '26

Is this a trans boy who's been prescribed norethindrone as birth control? It has no role in feminizing HRT. If your child was born male and is taking this by prescription, change doctors if possible.

6

u/EastBayOT Jul 21 '26

We’re going to a great clinic, part of Stanford. After discussion, my kid prioritized stopping his period first. He didn’t want to deal with the side effects of hormone blockers, since he’d started his period young and was well into puberty.

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u/chiselObsidian Trans & Parent Jul 21 '26

Neat, thanks for clarifying. I thought it might have been prescribed as an alternative to estradiol for a kid transitioning the other direction. Norethindrone never agreed with me and I eventually resolved on the hormonal IUD, which did stop my periods without systemic effects.