How to switch from injections to oral estradiol.

[Ltl89]

Hey everyone,

I have a question about going from injections onto oral estradiol.  How do you go about switching back?  I'm on an injection every two weeks and next Thursday would be two weeks and thus time for the next shot.  I'm not sure when or where I can switch back.  Has anyone done this and have suggestions.  And yes, I'm calling my end first thing in the morning on Monday.

To be honest, I felt much happier on the oral estradiol than injections.  Now I'm getting irritable and depressed at times, specifically when its getting closer to the next injection.  I felt more stable and have noticed some regression from where I was before that I know are hrt related.  I'm much happier with the pills than injections.  At first they were helpful and I was blinded by the excitement of them, but I felt much better on the oral hrt overall.

Any input on how to switch from injections (estradiol cypionate every two weeks) would be appreciated.

And yes, I'm definitely talking to my doctor so p!ease don't worry.  And please don't ask about dosse cause I don't want to violate the tos.  Hope this is an okay thread.  Thanks.

[Ms Grace]

I can understand why being on injections would do that to you, they can be a roller coaster emotion wise.

I've got no advice, have no idea - but since you're talking to your doc I'm guessing they'll be able to help.

[Laura_7]

Another option could be weekly injections.

And a patch or topical, for a more steady dose, and oral.

A possibility could be oral sublingually since its supposed to be less straining on the liver.
Drawback could be a faster release so spreading doses throughout the day might be recommendable.


A possibility could be adding bioidentical progesterone.
Topical, implants and oral are possibilties.
Spreading the dose throughout the day might also be helpful.

Theory is it helps with breast development, counters some effects of estro, has some antiandrogen effects and might even mood.


You should talk this all through with your endo.


hugs

[Ltl89]

Honestly, I just don't like injections.  I kept hearing how great they were, so I convinced myself its the right move, but its not.  Mentally I felt so much better on oral hrt and now I no longer experience the calming happy feeling oral estrogen gave me.  I took one of them tonight and its funny how much better and right I feel.  With injections, I haven't had this at all and I've been experiencing a lot more irritability and mood swings.  Not only that, but I feel my face became more masculine looking than it used to be, my skin isn't as soft as it was and I've noticed things again that I was glad to be rid of entirely before, as embarrassing as it is to say.  Its been making me very dysphoric and uncomfortable that it returned when it was completely gone before.  Anyway, I hope my end supports this cause I know its the right move for me personally.  Besides I've always hating having to inject.

[KayXo]

You could always ask the doctor if they could put you on estradiol valerate instead of cypionate, on a weekly basis. Perhaps, you would feel better. I know a girl in this forum who felt better on it but, as with all things, individuals may differ in how they respond.

[Rachel]

I think the doctor will tell you when to switch and may suggest partial dose for a while then back to your regular dose.

I understand about the ups and downs with injections. I asked and received permission from my doctor to reduce my time interval to 10 days. 14 days was too long.

[Megan Rose]

I was on oral for about a year before switching to injectable three years ago.   I have to agree, I haven't felt like the injections have been as good for me.   Switching to weekly injections was a big step in the right direction,  I was always in a state of meltdown on days 13-14. 

Lately, I've begun to mistrust my compounding pharmacy, and had my prescription switched to a national brand instead.  It's six times the cost, but seems to have made a difference.   My experience is all subjective, however - no quantitative values to go with.

But all in all, I'd rather go back to the pills.   Injections are a painful bother for sure, and I rather liked that flavor under my tongue.   I'll be interested to hear what your doctor has to say.

[Ltl89]

Last night I was feeling a bit down about my appearance so i was probably a bit dramatic.   Truth is that injections worked good for some things and helped me during the first month or so.  At first i was convinced thungs were going to be better with it.  However, there are things returning after some time that i didnt have an issue with on oral meds and its bothering me to deal with again.  Also, i have noticed my emotions are more of a roller coaster with injections.   They make you feel good for the first few days but there is a lot of moodswings and irritability close to the next injection.   With pills, i just felt good.   Like this happy wave of calmness.  It was like the best antidepressant ever.  Now I'm dealing with some depression and anxiety again.  I've aldo noticed other physical things that bothered me, like skin getting a little rougher.   Injections probably would be great if i did more frequently and took a bigger dose,  but I don't see them prescribing more of it.   All in all,  my oral regimen seemed top work better and the overall dosage was more.  I will say i noticed more chest development since being on injections,  but that may be a correlation add it might have continued to develop on pills.   To be honest,  i don't think there is much of a difference between the two othet than duration and stability.   For me i think i ptefer the stability of oral hrt and was in a better place emotionally on them.   But both work well and require patience either way.  I'm glad i gave it a chance as i would have always wondered, but my experience is they're not much different other than the stability of the levels.  And to honest,  i was on a decent oral dose so it might be why i felt better and noticed some overall regression with injections. Not much, but the stuff ive been noticing has been very bothersome.  I have to speak with my doctor when i get the chance.

[charlotte15]

I hate needles, and all these complaints about injectables make me even more sure it's not for me.

I can't compare the topical gel to anything else as I don't ever want anything else. All I can say is that it's not smelly or sticky and dries out in 2 minutes. Maybe you can ask your doc about that.

Only problem: apparently it's very expensive in the US.

[JLT1]

Hey!!!!!!

I switched from estrogen patches to estrogen gel/cream by just asking the doctor.  I told them what was up with the patches and that I didn't like needles, I'm to old for pills so lets try gel.  They put me on gel. 

Medically, your getting to much estrogen at the start and not enough at the end.  Kind like a mini-menopause.....  that is no way to go through life.

Hugs,

Jen

[Ltl89]

Yeah it has been a bit like a mini menopause.   If every day was like the first few days after an injection, this wouldn't even be an issue.  The thing is though that I did notice some good changes under injections.   Like reduced body hair  (thinned out a lot) and breast development.  I'm a little afraid that I will lose that progress if I stop injections, so I'm also a little afraid.   But i did take one estradiol pill last night and it made me feel much better. Im not sure what to do fully cause i want to do whats best for me.  Maybe i should see where my levels are before changing again? I get health insurance again on May 1st so i can finally get some bloodwork done.   Overall i do want to switch back to the pills, but I'm hoping i won't lose any progress I've made on injections.  And then again,  it probably had nothing to do with that and is more my body reacting to hrt snd taking time to accumulate change.

I know,  I think way too much for my own good.   Like usual I create anxiety for myself by over analyzing every little thing.

[Rachel]

My doctor recommended I try several different E delivery methods so I could feel the effects and choose one that worked best for me.

I agree, the first 5 days on IM are wonderful.

[KayXo]

i did take one estradiol pill last night and it made me feel much better.

Just this assertion of yours makes me believe that it may all be in your head, placebo effect. Cause one pill couldn't make such a significant difference. Somehow, taking pills every day gives you perhaps more comfort psychologically. Who knows? Just speculating...especially since you're the type to think so much and analyze (like me!), psychosomatic.

I agree, the first 5 days on IM are wonderful.

This is why I get injections every 5 days. No rollercoaster to speak of.

[Ltl89]

Well, before i do anything rash, I'm going tp get bloodwork done and see where my levels are.  I can say that ive seen benefits from injections as well and im afraid of losing that.  It's just the cons of it that i listed above that j would glad to be done with.   I doubt that my dosage or frequency would bw raised though, so im not really sure what to do.

But as for sublingualy taking the pills, its always made me in a  better mood as soon as i did it.  Its the same as how i feel the first few days after an injection,  it just drops off for me too fast.

[KayXo]

On estradiol cypionate, both estradiol cypionate and estradiol affect estrogen receptors so that measuring only estradiol is not an accurate measurement.

You could, as mentioned above, ask your doctor, if they agree, to be switched to E. Valerate with a frequency of every 5-7 days. In this case, it is only estradiol that is active so blood levels are more accurate.

[Ltl89]

On estradiol cypionate, both estradiol cypionate and estradiol affect estrogen receptors so that measuring only estradiol is not an accurate measurement.

You could, as mentioned above, ask your doctor, if they agree, to be switched to E. Valerate with a frequency of every 5-7 days. In this case, it is only estradiol that is active so blood levels are more accurate.

I will bring that up, but I'm doubtful.  Last I talked to her she said there wasn't much a difference between o e or two weeks.  In my case, I can feel the hormone levels drop, so I don't really agree with that.  Its worth trying though.   I'm just a little nervous about change because I did notice benefits while on injections and I don't want to lose that progress.  I think I probably should have a doctors visit before making any changes.  I'm really indecisive and uncertain at the moment about what's best for me.

By the way, is estradiol valerate easy to find?  I remember there being a thread discussing it being difficult to secure.  Just curious cause I don't want to switch to that if its hard to find.

[JLT1]

It's doubtful that you will loose what you have gained.   It may slow down future development.  The injections are effective. 

However,  SRS, time or slightly higher doses will fix that.

Don't know about o or e  but going to half your current dose every five days should have a very good effect.

Hugs

Jen

[Jessica Merriman]

One thing I do not understand here is Estradiol Cypionate is designed for every week and not every two. Estradiol Valerate IS designed for every two weeks. 

[KayXo]

One thing I do not understand here is Estradiol Cypionate is designed for every week and not every two. Estradiol Valerate IS designed for every two weeks. 

It has been shown that Estradiol Cypionate has a longer half-life and as such, can be injected every 10-14 days whereas Estradiol Valerate's half-life is shorter so that it is best injected every 5-7 days.

By the way, is estradiol valerate easy to find?  I remember there being a thread discussing it being difficult to secure.  Just curious cause I don't want to switch to that if its hard to find.

Can be prepared by compounding pharmacies.

[iKate]

I asked mine if she wanted me on injections, she said not really, oral seems to be working well.

I can't say it hasn't, but I've had the "is the grass greener" syndrome.

That said I take a decently high-ish dose, a bit more than I've seen many MtFs taking but not too high. I also take it sublingually to bypass the liver. It seems to work pretty well for me.

I hate injections and the idea of the ups and downs is not something I want.

Also, pills are dirt cheap.