Preferred Form Of Hormones?

[Guest Soph]

It looks like I may be starting hormones in June. I've read a bit on the different ways you can take them, and I'm curious what the opinions of the people here are on the various types.

By this, I mean pill form, shot, or the patch (I don't think there are any more). I'm leaning toward shot (although it is ultimately the endocrinologist's choice) because I've read that they're generally safer (avoiding embolisms as a result of it only entering the liver once) and faster acting. Just curious if this is true. I'd like to stay away from pills since I have an absolutely miserable memory and forget to take them (I've forgotten to take my anti-depressant for over a week, but I'm doing fine). I also read that in shot form, you only have to go in once every other week or so, with once a month for the anti-androgens. Did I simply misread?

And last but not least (unless I don't want to survive) what types of estrogen have the highest risk of causing blood clots or other medical complications? If there is this risk, what benefits are there to the other medications that prompt doctors to still prescribe them?

[Guest nova]

Hi Soph,

The way it was explained to me when I started out, is that I had to begin with the pill form, because it is easier to stop, if for some (rare) reason they have to. I was put on the injectable form later, and I dose once every two weeks, but a lot of the girls dose once a week. Just depends on what your doctor decides for you. Different people respond better to different forms of the hormones. But, I had been on bipolar meds and anti-depressants for a long time, and my doctor felt that my liver was taking enough of a pounding, so she switched me to injections as soon as she could.

[Guest doodle]

Sophia I have had the same experience as Nova. My doctor started me on pills. I'm still on them everything is fine.

doodle/kelly

[Guest Leah1026]

Pills: Cheap, but have to remember to take them multiple times a day. Go through liver twice.

Injectables: Cheap (compounding pharmacy), safer (1 pass through liver), good results. Usual regimen is one shot every two weeks.

Patches: Expensive and many experience problems with trying to keep them on. 1 pass through liver.

Gels: Not sure of price. They are messy, but only have 1 pass through the liver.

Subdermal Implants: Expensive, but last for months. 1 pass through the liver.

Anti-androgens (usually Spiro) are in pill form and must be taken daily.

Hope this helps.

For the record I use an injectable.

[Guest angie]

The only thing I will say about oral versus injectable is...

Only start injectable if you are really ready for serious feminizing.

For those whom start them before they are completely ready mentally,

the speed of the changes can be over powering.Forcing one to adapt to

being a fulltime woman or be outed before they are ready to.I have read

girls complaints of the changes happening so fast,they lose everything.

Oral is the way to go to start transition.As the mental and physical changes

happen at a much more controlled pace.

Angie

[Guest Soph]

Thanks guys.

As ready as I think I am (who here wasn't in a rush to transition when they first started?) I realize that the changes are very great, and perhaps too much for me to handle emotionally. There is no risk of losing everything because its going to fast for me though, since I have nothing . Rather, I'm out to everyone that matters to me and am unemployed, so its all good.

I'll see after the consultation though.

[Guest van-na]

Hi soph,

I've taken the pill patch and shot.

The pill is the cheapest to buy in the US cause most Pharmacy's sell ostrodiol pills at a reduced price. for example Walmart has a deal where they give you 90 2 mg pills for $10.

The problem with the shot is that it is not re callable, most estrogen overdoses have occurred from shots, and by the time you pay to get the shot, you could have bought patches.

The Patch is best I think. They effect your liver the same as the injections, and they are re callable , if you get too jazzed you can take them off. I use the Climara patch, they are the best ones for not irritating your skin. Each Climara is good for a whole week. I cut them in half and alternate them. I put a large water block band aid over them they and they last all week even through several submergings in hot baths.

But you need to talk to your Dr. ultimately he/she will decide.

Good luck

vanna

[Guest nymphblossom]

Hi Soph,

I think it has alot to do with age. I am 48 and although I haven't started HRT yet, I have read that patches are prefered for over 40 MTF becuase of the risk of blood clots. I'm thinking it's even recommended in the Benjamin Standard.

I guess I should have taken a sec before I posted

Blossom

[Guest Leah1026]

Hi Soph,

I think it has alot to do with age. I am 48 and although I haven't started HRT yet, I have read that patches are prefered for over 40 MTF becuase of the risk of blood clots. I'm thinking it's even recommended in the Benjamin Standard.

At 42 I started on patches, but like many others I had problems with them staying on. And some people are even allergic to the adhesives used. As a result I switched to injectables which are just as safe as patches. Patches are mentioned in the SOC, but remember the SOC aren't used to be used as a clinical guide as far as HRT is concerned. Just before mentioning patches the SOC say:

Physicians have a wide latitude in what hormone preparations they may prescribe and what routes of administration they may select for individual patients. Viable options include oral, injectable, and transdermal delivery systems.

Notice they don't even list all the methods, they left out gels and subdermal implants. The physician and you decide what method is best for you, not the SOC.

[Guest Leah1026]

I've taken the pill patch and shot.

The pill is the cheapest to buy in the US cause most Pharmacy's sell ostrodiol pills at a reduced price. for example Walmart has a deal where they give you 90 2 mg pills for $10.

The problem with the shot is that it is not re callable,most estrogen overdoses have occurred from shots, and by the time you pay to get the shot, you could have bought patches.

The Patch is best I think. They effect your liver the same as the injections, and they are re callable , if you get too jazzed you can take them off. I use the Climara patch, they are the best ones for not irritating your skin. Each Climara is good for a whole week. I cut them in half and alternate them. I put a large water block band aid over them they and they last all week even through several submergings in hot baths.

But you need to talk to your Dr. ultimately he/she will decide.

Going to try this again since somebody didn't like my original post:

The two highlighted phrases are NOT true.

1. My injectable is cheaper than your figure for pills. FACT.

2. Overdose? There is no such thing as an estrogen "overdose", over time the body eliminates any excess estrogen. And, more importantly, you make it sound like something dire is going to happen. That is a big exaggeration. Elevated blood levels of estrogen can be caused from all methods of administration. And ANY form of HRT has side effects, there is no such thing a totally safe HRT. There are always risks.

[Guest angie]

Right on Leah,

As for injectable being too expensive,once prescribed,

One can go through a compounding pharmacy.Cutting the middle man

out of the loop(your local pharmacy),you can save substantial money.

And as for doing too much,you only do what your physican prescribes...

Nothing more.As far as your chosen delivery method,they all work,just

at different paces.Estradiol Valerate is the bio equivilant of what a gwoman

produces,they all do their job,and do it well.

Angie

[Guest nymphblossom]

Thank you for sharing your experience, Leah.

I was afraid patches would be a real pain and it is good to hear that injection may still be an option for me. I don't have a problem with needles and don't want to do anything to put my body under more stress than it will already be when I start HRT.

Blossom

[Guest brenda lee]

It looks like I may be starting hormones in June. I've read a bit on the different ways you can take them, and I'm curious what the opinions of the people here are on the various types.

By this, I mean pill form, shot, or the patch (I don't think there are any more). I'm leaning toward shot (although it is ultimately the endocrinologist's choice) because I've read that they're generally safer (avoiding embolisms as a result of it only entering the liver once) and faster acting. Just curious if this is true. I'd like to stay away from pills since I have an absolutely miserable memory and forget to take them (I've forgotten to take my anti-depressant for over a week, but I'm doing fine). I also read that in shot form, you only have to go in once every other week or so, with once a month for the anti-androgens. Did I simply misread?

And last but not least (unless I don't want to survive) what types of estrogen have the highest risk of causing blood clots or other medical complications? If there is this risk, what benefits are there to the other medications that prompt doctors to still prescribe them?

Soph ,Thank you for asking this question, when I get to start my HRT in the future This has really helped me alot.LOL Brenda Lee

[Guest Nekomata]

Injections = winner. Changing from pills to shots was the best thing I ever did and I wish I had done it sooner.

[Guest Melanieshaman]

I actually wanted to ask something and this seems like the correct thread...

My doc mentioned another form i hadn't seen here... I can't remember the term, but she said you put it under your tongue and it disolves into the blood stream..takes like 5 minutes.. any one heard of this?

[Guest Donna Jean]

Well, I take a tiny, sweet pill that is dissolved under the tongue and hits the blood stream directly....A few other girls here do that, too. Estrodial...(sp?)

You're heard of heart patients that carry nitro pills and when they have an angina attack slip one under the tongue so it works really fast....

It's much better than swallowing them....

Leah...you're in that field...please tell me if I'm wrong on this...I don't want to give out mis-information...

Thanks....

Donna Jean

[Guest Leah1026]

Well, I take a tiny, sweet pill that is dissolved under the tongue and hits the blood stream directly....A few other girls here do that, too. Estrodial...(sp?)

You're heard of heart patients that carry nitro pills and when they have an angina attack slip one under the tongue so it works really fast....

It's much better than swallowing them....

Leah...you're in that field...please tell me if I'm wrong on this...I don't want to give out mis-information...

Thanks....

Donna Jean

She's talking about the sublingual method of taking PILLS. Some pills can be swallowed OR allowed to dissolve under the tongue. The sublingual method allows more of the estrogen to get into the system because it avoids the stomach (where a good amount of all drugs are destroyed).

So I didn't forget it, I just consider it a different way of taking PILLS.

Melanie make sure the type of pill you get is designed to be used that way, not all are.

[Guest Donna Jean]

Leah.....

Question...

Does the sublingual method avoid the liver more than swollowing them?

Or, same-same?

Thanks...

Donna Jean

[Guest Leah1026]

Leah.....

Question...

Does the sublingual method avoid the liver more than swollowing them?

Or, same-same?

Thanks...

Donna Jean

In theory yes. The estrogen absorbed under the tongue would only go through the live once, instead of twice if swallowed. However, it is impossible to know how much is actually absorbed and how much is swallowed with saliva. Since in theory you avoid destruction in the stomach... you can also use a lower dosage and still get the same result.

Okay, that's about all I know about pills. I never used pills myself; I've learned what I know from other peoples experiences.

[Guest Donna Jean]

In theory yes. The estrogen absorbed under the tongue would only go through the live once, instead of twice if swallowed. However, it is impossible to know how much is actually absorbed and how much is swallowed with saliva. Since in theory you avoid destruction in the stomach... you can also use a lower dosage and still get the same result.

Okay, that's about all I know about pills. I never used pills myself; I've learned what I know from other peoples experiences.

Thank you, Leah.....

I really appreciate the input!

HUGG

Donna Jean

[Guest Melanieshaman]

She's talking about the sublingual method of taking PILLS. Some pills can be swallowed OR allowed to dissolve under the tongue. The sublingual method allows more of the estrogen to get into the system because it avoids the stomach (where a good amount of all drugs are destroyed).

So I didn't forget it, I just consider it a different way of taking PILLS.

Melanie make sure the type of pill you get is designed to be used that way, not all are.

Will do, my doctor seemed to like that one the most. So, my blood work should be back by friday or early next week, and we'll discuss it.

[Guest angie]

Most of the ml taken orally is urinated out daily.

Both the patch and injection are the ones that keep your blood serum

levels at or close to a natal woman's.Both are easier on your organs,

less chance deep vein thrombosis DVT,and with the bonus of a quicker,

more complete feminization.That ladies, is what educating yourself about

your choices available can teach you.An educated woman,has a smoother transition.

Angie