Australian HRT

[Sarah leah]

Hello everyone,

I know this topic comes up a fair bit, but I wanted to ask specifically Australians about options for HRT users (without amounts etc) with regards to results on average from patches, implant and whether injections are not used and why? I went to DR Lyons in Adelaide and we agreed that I am good to go once I drop more weight as my health is important here.

He spoke about clots and how a few people in the last 6 months have had clots in parts of their body (one in the middle cerebral artery, another in there lung almost) and indicated that implants and patches were the path often taken. I wanted to ask about it more but our time was up and I can not see him for about three months. Then there is the problem that where I live there is not a single endocrinologist. Therefore I am going to ask a few important questions here:

• Is there a reason that so many Australians use patches/implants
• Is patches and implants the only solution in Australia
• Is their a difference with patches and implants in terms of the impact of hormone/physical changes
• Do we have a choice between synthetic and natural estragon, and if so is the none synthetic safer and will it yield better results.

Whilst I am not ready to begin HRT I still want to be informed, prepared and have the experience of the community to weight into my decision, because empirical is my style and having a quantitative  grounding is essential, I also think having a qualitative understanding is just as vital.

[luna nyan]

Hi Sarah,

Good for you in getting your house in order before starting. Answers in brief:

1.  Avoidance of first pass metabolism by liver - less strain on it.  Also less fiddling around on a daily basis.  Pellets are convenient once the implantation site is healed as there isn't anything to do after.

2.  No.  Pills, injections, patches and  implants are all available.

3.  Effects are effective dose dependant, not by mode of delivery.

4.  Most commonly prescribed E are bio identical synthetics as they are less likely to cause issues.

[Sarah leah]

Thank you for the swift reply, it is nice to know this kind of stuff in advance for sure. What have people tried as I want to be sure I look at the right type for me, given I know nobody I can ask in my oh so lovely conservative township

[AnonyMs]

3.  Effects are effective dose dependant, not by mode of delivery.

I was on patches for more than 5 years, until changing to implant, and my blood levels were low. My endo said absorption can be poor for some people.

I'd not start on implants, just in case E doesn't agree with you. You can get them out, but I can't help but think it wouldn't be very pleasant. Patches seem good from that point of view since they come off (too) easily.

There's some other discussions on implants on the forums.

[immortal gypsy]

Sydney based here:

I use the pills, I find them convienient and the thought of putting anything sharp near me scares me so implants are not an option (I am phiobic, plus thanks to being on epilepsy medication since I was young the extra pills are no hassel for me).

Results: Started Febuary I wish they where moving faster, but friends who see me regulary and know have told me my body is slowly changing for the better

[AnonyMs]

I use the pills, I find them convienient and the thought of putting anything sharp near me scares me so implants are not an option (I am phiobic, plus thanks to being on epilepsy medication since I was young the extra pills are no hassel for me).

I have a problem with needles too. Not sure if its a real phobia or not, but very disturbed by them. I've been getting quite a few blood tests though - don't you have to get them? Anyway, I figure there's lots of sharp and pointy instruments in my future, so better get used to them now.