Question About Types Of Hrt

[Guest Mikku]

i just want to know what i could be getting myself into before i start talking to a GT or anything. i know primary methods of HRT are through a shot, but what other alternative methods are there avalable? and does anyone how they affect the cost and effect of the HRT?? i know alternative methods like cream are probally more expensive, but anyway could anyone just let me know all of the common alternative methods to a shot? because lord knows i couldn't handle that... >.<

thanks in advance, ^.^

[Guest Evan_J]

Actually I think most MtFs do hrt by pill/tablet.

But I'll let one of them respond.

[Guest Mikku]

Actually I think most MtFs do hrt by pill/tablet.

But I'll let one of them respond.

O.o just shows how uninformed i am!

[Guest kameryn_gymnast]

I think the most common are pills, which are pretty cheap and generally give a more steady result.

There is the patch, which is more expensive but effective, people sometimes complain about it being irratating to the skin or not staying on.

There are gels and creams, which i hear are kind of expensive and not the most effective, they also can be a hassle ive heard.

As you mention theres the shots, which are cheap and thought of to give the fastest results, but lots of people have bad side effects such as getting sick and getting very emotional close to the next shot, you inject through the thigh or gluttal muscle.

All of them except the pills[unless taken sublingually(under the tounge)] are generally safer to use(under a doctors care of course)because they are not as hard on the liver.

You and your GT will be able to figure out which method is the best for you.

I myself will probably want pills or shots.

I really hope i helped.

Good luck!!!

[Paula ult]

Mikku,

There are all kinds of different hormones, gels, patches, pills and injections, over the last 2 years i have tried all but injections, i started with gel, was messy and had to apply twice daily though i got pretty good results, my endo switched me to patches, they were more costly and i had a hard time keeping them on, plus i was allergic to the adhesive so he switched me to estradiol pills, i am having no trouble with the pills, last but not least is EV IM injections, i have not gone this route yet but i am thinking about it if my endo agrees.

The bad estrogens:

Premarin: made from pregnant mare urine, although it is still used today by some doctors usually the the older ones that have not kept up with the times, lots of TS's over the years have transitioned using it but it is very hard on the liver and can cause DVT, plus animal rights groups object to the poor treatment of the mares.

Ethinyl Estradiol: commonly known as EE, this is the worst because of risk for DVT.(deep vein thrombosis)

The good estrogen's:

Estrogen's that are good. any of these are better than the above mentioned estrogen's. These below are 17ß-estradiol, is chemically and biologically identical to the endogenous human 17ß-oestradiol and is therefore classified as a human oestrogen and thus easier on the liver.

Estradiol Transdermal Patch, usually prescribed to those over 40 years old. There are several brands of these. High cost if insurance is not paying for it.

Estradiol gel, also prescribed for those over 40 but is quite messy to apply. again high cost.

Estradiol pills, usually taken sublingually (under the tongue) for more direct absorption into the bloodstream, on most $4.00 pharmacy plans like Walmart, Target, Walgreen's etc.

Estradiol Valerate commonly refered to as EV IM is taken by injection, i hear is pretty reasonable in price.

Anti Androgen's:

There are quite a few different types of pills and injections but i will just talk about pills since injections are very expensive if not covered by insurance.

In the US Spironolactone is generally prescribed, the primary usage of it is a heart med that acts as a diuretic, the secondary reduces testosterone.

In most of the rest of the world Androcur is prescribed, the developers never applied for fda approval in the US so it is not available here.

Bicalutamide is not widely known but it does reduce testosterone however erections can still occur.

Finasteride is used to block DHT which causes hair loss, on it some regrowth is possible.

Paula

[Guest Donna Jean]

Excellent post from Paula...(as usual!)

Most of the girls that I know (me, too) take pills...a few use the patch for Estrogen...

But, I think that injection is the least common.

Huggs

Donna Jean

[Guest angie]

Long before bio identical estradiol valerate,

many,many women used congugated estrogen(mares urine)

or the brand name Premarin.

It all depends on your physican or endocronologist

which type will be prescribed.Most start with orals

to get the body and system used to processing estrogen.

Then you have the patch,which has a history of falling off,

or causes irritation from the glue.Then there is the gel,

which has to be applied topically daily,or injectable,with

it's once weekly injection.Once again,it is all up to the

prescibing physican or endocronologist.But...All Give Femininizing.

Just some at a faster pace than other forms of delivery.

Angelique

[Carolyn Marie]

Very good advice from all of the above folks. I would like to add just a couple of things from my own experience.

I'm on the patch, and have had no problem with skin irritation, but I have had about one in eight patches come off early. They sometimes get caught in my panties. If the patch isn't ruined, its easy to put it back on using medical tape.

I've heard from several members that the patch is expensive. I use the Climara brand, and get it at an LGBT clinic, so it may be government subsidized. But I only pay $25 for an eight week supply. That seems pretty inexpensive to me.

Hope this helps.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Mikku]

thank you everyone! really appreciate this, i dont think i would want to do a pill.. even though i dont drink and have a healthy liver i wouldent want to risk anything... you know? but i certainly couldent do a shot, so i think sublingually would probally be best.. >.< anyway thanks so much for the info i apprecaite it.. this eases a bit of my concerns! <3