Starting HRT? Method and what is taken?

[Thylacin]

I was wondering how HRT is usually started? Is it usually just estrogen at first? Or estrogen and spiro? Or also progesterone?

Also, I had read at some point that different methods of getting hormones onto the body have different levels of effectiveness? Is there anything to that? Like injections vs patch vs pills?

[Sarah Louise]

These are questions for your doctor.  It sounds like you are planning on self medicating and we do not support that.

[Jamie D]

I was wondering how HRT is usually started? Is it usually just estrogen at first? Or estrogen and spiro? Or also progesterone?

Also, I had read at some point that different methods of getting hormones onto the body have different levels of effectiveness? Is there anything to that? Like injections vs patch vs pills?

There is quite a bit of information about these things on the website.  Some doctors will start their patients on an anti-androgen.  Some other will start their patients on a form of estrogen.  Others will begin with a combined therapy.

The reason for having medical oversight is that there exists a very real potential for complications.  We have one moderator here who had difficulties with the form of estrogen she was originally prescribed and had to change her form of medication.  And another member here, who was self-medicating, developed a life-threatening side effect called a deep vein thrombosis.  I was not allowed to use a common anti-androgen used in the United States, because it is a potassium-sparing diuretic, and had a bad interaction with another medication I was prescribed.  I would not have known this had I been self-medicating.

Today, many of the problematic, older forms of HRT are still on the market.  Without competent medical advice, a self-medicator could easily put themselves in danger.

So consult your doctor about what would be the best course for you.

[Thylacin]

  It sounds like you are planning on self medicating and we do not support that.

I am not.
I did ask my doctor, I was looking for input from the trans community on what they might have noticed or observed. I understand YMMV, but I was also under the impression that certain people have had different experiences with different mixtures of medication.

[Ltl89]

I was wondering how HRT is usually started? Is it usually just estrogen at first? Or estrogen and spiro? Or also progesterone?

Also, I had read at some point that different methods of getting hormones onto the body have different levels of effectiveness? Is there anything to that? Like injections vs patch vs pills?

It differs.  My doctor started me on a very low dose of estrogen and then increased the dose and added spiro on the next visit.  However, a lot of doctors do start people on spiro and go to e later on.  Some don't even give people spiro at all (I had to ask really nicely to get spiro).   So, it all depends on where you go and what your medical history is like.

I have only taken pills.  They work fine and are affordable.  Some say injenctions are more effective, but they are more expensive and you have to deal with a needle.  Patches are expensive and usually considered less effective (from what I have read, but they are best for older transitioners because it is easier on the liver than pills.  My advice is to not worry too much about the method.  Different things work for different people.  Besides,  all of them will get you to the same place in time. 

[FrancisAnn]

Whatever your plan do not delay in HRT. The emotions & desires never go away. Some physicians prescribe low dosages just to make their patients satisfied. Make sure you obtain the correct dosage of spiro & E to make real changes for your body.