Injections vs Pills? The Endless debate continues!

[lecoeurdegrey]

Anyways, I am usually skeptical of trans girls who insist one form is better than another. However, my insurance will not cover HRT until I turn 18 (their policy is really weird-they do actually cover srs and some things like a trachea shave so I can't really complain) so I  have been thinking about talking to my doc about switching over since Injections are much cheaper than pills. What think ye all? How have your experiences been on injections (if applicable)?

[Joeyboo~ :3]

Injections seem to be werkin fiiine.
Nothing cray.

It's more convenient than taking all these pills everyday, and its once a week.
Plus I have a quirky thing for needles.

[A]

Much cheaper than pills? Seeing how cheap the pills are, I don't think there can be such a big difference. I mean, my pills are about 1.05 $ each before insurance... Given the needles to buy and all, are injections really cheaper? And even if they are, are they worth the huge hassle?

Anyway, I advise against injections, personally. They're painful and hard to do - well, it does depend on the person - and every serious text I have read about them said they did sub-optimal results. As far as I know, they bring faster results, since it's directly into the bloodstream and the dose gets very high very fast, but it makes hormone levels fluctuate a lot between injections.

There is no proof, but since that's not how bodies work (hormones are normally released in a somewhat steady manner, not a big rush once a week), I fully agree with the doctors who think it wouldn't bring as much results in the long term.

The variations can also be unhealthy, I think, for a few reasons I don't know. The fact injectables are not allowed in quite a few countries feels like it supports the idea, too.

Finally, I don't know about you, but I am much less likely to forget a daily habit of taking pills with my breakfast - especially since I have the antiandrogen that's a pill anyway next to it - than an injection once a week. Injection that might even require a visit to a health professional every time, I don't know (but I would personally never trust myself with a delicate thing like an injection!)

[lecoeurdegrey]

Much cheaper than pills? Seeing how cheap the pills are, I don't think there can be such a big difference. I mean, my pills are about 1.05 $ each before insurance... Given the needles to buy and all, are injections really cheaper? And even if they are, are they worth the huge hassle?

Anyway, I advise against injections, personally. They're painful and hard to do - well, it does depend on the person - and every serious text I have read about them said they did sub-optimal results. As far as I know, they bring faster results, since it's directly into the bloodstream and the dose gets very high very fast, but it makes hormone levels fluctuate a lot between injections.

There is no proof, but since that's not how bodies work (hormones are normally released in a somewhat steady manner, not a big rush once a week), I fully agree with the doctors who think it wouldn't bring as much results in the long term.

The variations can also be unhealthy, I think, for a few reasons I don't know. The fact injectables are not allowed in quite a few countries feels like it supports the idea, too.

Finally, I don't know about you, but I am much less likely to forget a daily habit of taking pills with my breakfast - especially since I have the antiandrogen that's a pill anyway next to it - than an injection once a week. Injection that might even require a visit to a health professional every time, I don't know (but I would personally never trust myself with a delicate thing like an injection!)

True I keep hearing different things on the effectiveness and I believe the pills are more consistent. However, considering my mom is a nurse and I am also studying to be one an unhealthy immunity to fear of needles seems to course through my veins

[Alainaluvsu]

I wanted to do injections, but by day 3 my skin was oily, my sex drive was returning, my emotions were dulling.... maybe my muscles just dissolved it.

[Korra]

I was on injection for a month and I honestly felt like I wasn't getting anything.  I felt like any changes I had were dissolving and it made me feel like poop.  I pay 20$ a month for spiro and estrogen with insurance and its 70$ for injections of E that isnt covered by insurance.  It last for 2 months but regardless, I gotta go with the cheaper feel.  I really loved not having to take as many pills a day, but in the end I had to go with what was cost effective.  Also, it always took me FOREVER to get the estrogen in the dam syringe.

[Naturally Blonde]

I'd love to try injections but in the United Kingdom they are illegal. I've been on pills for many years but I personally think injections would work better for me. Does any one have any idea how I could get them imported?

[Jenny_B_Good]

Hey girls,

Just to add a different perspective of things. My Endocrinologist told me that the best treatment was= tablets > injections > implants.
But this had to be done over time.

Tablets strain the liver, but can be given in small doses to build your levels up.

Injections can be introduced once levels are satisfactory, as this bypasses liver, but you may not be able to handle the fluctuations yet.

Implants are best once further down the track as you can't wait a day or week if the hormones drive you crazy. Once it's in, surgery will need to be performed to remove it.

Best probably to raise concern with your Doctor and see what they say. Best to mention your money concerns as well. I'm sure they'll understand.

Let us know how you go


Love

Jenny

OXOXOXOXOX

[JoanneB]

I've done both pills and injections and known others that also done both. I've also done both horse piss and synthetics in pills. Everyone I know has had different responses to every form and type of estrogen. As someone else has said, I cannot imaging pills being all that much more expensive, especially when you factor in the total costs between syringes and filters, if required.

My personal preference is for injectable. First off, pills are a PITA for me to keep track of. Doing my supplements is enough of a hassle. The injectable also gives me a lot more bang for the buck. A 10mg shot lasts easily a week to 10 or more days now. (3 years plus and AA). In the beginning the effects came on far faster than pills did in the past.

The big down side is after a while giving yourself a shot is getting to me. You mess up once or twice, and it gets harder and harder to "do the plunge".

[8888]

Injections are much cheaper... $12.50 for 10 vials, that's around $65 a year = £40 - one vial per week.

If you inject into your thighs, there is no pain at all. You can watch the needle slide in, very little resistance.

Syringes are $3 for 100, needles $3 for 100, alcohol pads $1 for 100.

If your pharmacy is charging too much then just order them online, so long as you're still doing lab tests.

Can't report on effects, only on my 2nd week, pills were doing nothing.

[Dale]

I guess it just personal. I have done injections for years and very please with results.

[Dale]

I've done both pills and injections and known others that also done both. I've also done both horse piss and synthetics in pills. Everyone I know has had different responses to every form and type of estrogen. As someone else has said, I cannot imaging pills being all that much more expensive, especially when you factor in the total costs between syringes and filters, if required.

My personal preference is for injectable. First off, pills are a PITA for me to keep track of. Doing my supplements is enough of a hassle. The injectable also gives me a lot more bang for the buck. A 10mg shot lasts easily a week to 10 or more days now. (3 years plus and AA). In the beginning the effects came on far faster than pills did in the past.

The big down side is after a while giving yourself a shot is getting to me. You mess up once or twice, and it gets harder and harder to "do the plunge

JoanneB    You are a beautiful women

[Naturally Blonde]

Hey girls,

Just to add a different perspective of things. My Endocrinologist told me that the best treatment was= tablets > injections > implants.
But this had to be done over time.

Tablets strain the liver, but can be given in small doses to build your levels up.

Injections can be introduced once levels are satisfactory, as this bypasses liver, but you may not be able to handle the fluctuations yet.

Implants are best once further down the track as you can't wait a day or week if the hormones drive you crazy. Once it's in, surgery will need to be performed to remove it.

Best probably to raise concern with your Doctor and see what they say. Best to mention your money concerns as well. I'm sure they'll understand.

Let us know how you go


Love

Jenny

OXOXOXOXOX

Both Injections and Implants are not licensed in the United Kingdom, so we don't get the choices that you lucky folk have in America and I'm pretty pissed about that!  but go ahead and rub it in with threads like this!

[Eve87]

Every trans woman I know of here in Belgium gets pills. Estradiol valerate.
I was initially very interested in injections. Needles don't bother me and it means I could stop setting alarms for 3 darn pills a day. But I've had surprising success with the Progynova, so why mess with a good thing?

[kelly_aus]

Every trans woman I know of here in Belgium gets pills. Estradiol valerate.
I was initially very interested in injections. Needles don't bother me and it means I could stop setting alarms for 3 darn pills a day. But I've had surprising success with the Progynova, so why mess with a good thing?

My doctor advised me to take my Progynova once a day.. So I take my entire dose in one go.. My levels are great, and I only have to remember to take it once a day..

[Kelly-087]

Hey girls,

Just to add a different perspective of things. My Endocrinologist told me that the best treatment was= tablets > injections > implants.
But this had to be done over time.

Tablets strain the liver, but can be given in small doses to build your levels up.

Injections can be introduced once levels are satisfactory, as this bypasses liver, but you may not be able to handle the fluctuations yet.

Implants are best once further down the track as you can't wait a day or week if the hormones drive you crazy. Once it's in, surgery will need to be performed to remove it.

Best probably to raise concern with your Doctor and see what they say. Best to mention your money concerns as well. I'm sure they'll understand.

Let us know how you go


Love

Jenny

OXOXOXOXOX

Pills shouldn't be anymore of a strain on the liver than injections if they are taken sublingually. I don't have specific information.. But I am a biology student. The route in which they would be metabolized which is through the blood stream, should be roughly the same, while pils that are swallowed WOULD be metabolized in the liver.

Also implants are very expensive.

[A]

I've been hearing a lot about those sublingual things, and I wanted to know... How do I know, except by asking the endo (not seeing him for another month or more), if I can take my estrogen sublingually? And if I can do that, does the dosage I should be taking change? Like, is it more effective under the tongue, which would mean that my current, high-end dosage would be too much?

[lecoeurdegrey]

I've been hearing a lot about those sublingual things, and I wanted to know... How do I know, except by asking the endo (not seeing him for another month or more), if I can take my estrogen sublingually? And if I can do that, does the dosage I should be taking change? Like, is it more effective under the tongue, which would mean that my current, high-end dosage would be too much?

Not to go into dosages, but what brand of oestrogen do you take?

[A]

It's written Estrace on the vial.

[Dale]

I've been hearing a lot about those sublingual things, and I wanted to know... How do I know, except by asking the endo (not seeing him for another month or more), if I can take my estrogen sublingually? And if I can do that, does the dosage I should be taking change? Like, is it more effective under the tongue, which would mean that my current, high-end dosage would be too much?

Just give the endo a call. A change like that should not be a problem. I do that will my DR and it works great