Pills, patches, or topicals?

[Tamika Olivia]

I met with my HRT doctor for the first time today, and once my blood work is done, he'll get me the prescriptions I need. He asked me to consider the Estrogen options. I'm leaning towards the pill option, since it is the least expensive option. I'm relatively young and in good health, and I don't drink or use drugs, so the liver and DVT concerns are minimal. I'm curious as to what other people have experienced though. Is one option clearly better in your experience?

[Jessica Merriman]

Injections all the way! Love them. Both Estradiol and Progesterone.

[Michaela Whimsy]

I'm outdoors a lot and don't like to have the need to carry more pills with me.  The shot is a lot less often so, more convenient.

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[Mariah]

Patches that I was on for 6 weeks caused rashes over the time each patch was on and wouldn't stay on well. I have been on injections ever since and have had wonderful results. Hugs
Mariah

[Laura_7]

Well there are a few more options:
-pills: sublingual intake of bioidentical micronized estrogen is supposed to be less straining on the liver. Spreading the daily dose in a few small doses instead of two big ones might help keep levels more steady, instead of highs and lows, which might affect mood in a pms like way.

-patches: the vivelle patches are said to be small and stick well.
Skins are different so reaction is individual. One possibility is to combine one patch with pills. The patch to keep levels steady.

-gels: quite convenient with intake

-injections: with biweekly injections there might be a low after 10 days. With weekly injections levels are more steady.

-implants: steady levels and no hassle.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,192044.msg1713877.html#msg1713877

With implants and injections a form of hrt is possible where the estro levels are driven well into the female range and the testo levels down into the female range, without anti androgen.

Bioidentical progesterone might compliment estrogen.
It might help with mood, with breast development, even out some side effects of estrogen and has some anti androgen effects.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,192953.msg1733564.html#msg1733564

[Tamika Olivia]

I don't think the injections are going to be on the table, at least right now. My doctor doesn't usually prescribe them so I'd have to change providers, and there aren't a lot of options in my area.

[Cindy]

Pills were a disaster for me, they came close to killing me.


I was on implants for years and they were great. But for personal reasons I have had to stop implants and I'm on patches. I was very negative to them - they are great! Yes I have to change them twice a week but no issue. Yes implants are easier but I also didn't like the pain killer for the surgery, my skin would react to it.

I took my first patch as my implant ran down (yes I can tell in hours when the implant goes ) and I was back to steady state within the day on a patch. To be honest I think they are great.

I swap from side to side and use an alcohol wipe to clean off the glue residue. Easy.

[Madelyn Leech]

I'm taking the pills and they're working for me. I hope they keep working with no side effects.

[Marlee]

I'm also on a low-dose pill regimen of only estradiol. I think my results may be a atypical though, since less than month in facial features have softened, skins is very soft, and all of the sudden, I'm a C cup.
Results vary though, so keep that in mind.

[Stochastic]

Patches have worked well for me. I have not had any problems with the Vivelle sized patches although I did get a rash with a larger sized patch.

Question for those on injections. I sometimes have to travel, and patches are convenient to carry along. How would that work for injections? Especially when I may be gone for a week or possibly taking a flight to my destination.

[Laura_7]

Patches have worked well for me. I have not had any problems with the Vivelle sized patches although I did get a rash with a larger sized patch.

Question for those on injections. I sometimes have to travel, and patches are convenient to carry along. How would that work for injections? Especially when I may be gone for a week or possibly taking a flight to my destination.

You might carry it in your personal baggage and say its meds... and maybe have a recipe ready...
people have all kinds of meds that are necessary... sprays for respiratory system... etc...

someone had dilators with them... they were asked what it is...
they said they had a vaginal operation and its medical stents...
it was the person asking who was embarassed 

Oh and if you are really concerned go for implants... no hassle and steady doses...
available are bioidentical estrogen and progesterone, and even small doses of t after srs...

hugs

[Tamika Olivia]

Went with patches. Put my first on about 5 minutes ago.

[Laura_7]

Went with patches. Put my first on about 5 minutes ago.

vivelle or estradot ? 

[Tamika Olivia]

A generic called Estradiol transdermal system.

[Laura_7]

A generic called Estradiol transdermal system.

vivelle or estradot are amongst the smallest and said to stick very good.

Hopefully yours stick good as well.

If not you might ask to switch. I saw pople using medical tape to make other patches stick 

Here was a further thread:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,189624.msg1687824.html#msg1687824

[Tessa James]

vivelle or estradot are amongst the smallest and said to stick very good.

Hopefully yours stick good as well.

If not you might ask to switch. I saw pople using medical tape to make other patches stick 

Here was a further thread:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,189624.msg1687824.html#msg1687824

I went with the patches and after trying a bunch of them have to agree the Vivelle are best.  I was offered injections but that is an invasive technique with attendant risks.  And the truth is I administered thousands of intramuscular, subQ and nerve block injections during my career and still hate to get a shot.  Yup, i am a wuss 

[Laura_7]

I went with the patches and after trying a bunch of them have to agree the Vivelle are best.  I was offered injections but that is an invasive technique with attendant risks.  And the truth is I administered thousands of intramuscular, subQ and nerve block injections during my career and still hate to get a shot.  Yup, i am a wuss 

Have you considered implants ? Many consider them one of the best options.

[Tessa James]

Have you considered implants ? Many consider them one of the best options.

Yes, I sure did as so many fans are happy with the results.  I did not and still have no specific goals about appearance oriented results and was focused on feeling my way through.  I feel great and the psychological impacts are spot on.  And then as Cindy notes it is a minor surgical procedure, is even more invasive and remember I am still a wuss   Strong girls get regular injections for all kinds of reasons but that is not my maturity level, yet

[luna nyan]

I'm on implant.  I have had bad reactions to stuff on my skin so patches were out.  Self injecting wasn't going to be a problem other than having to do it again and again whereas wih an implant, I'm only having to worry about it once every 6-9 months.

Pills were fine, other than having to take them everyday.   I don't like being physically reminded via medication that things aren't as they should be.  There's enough of that mentally as is.

[jenifer356]

vivelle and it's generic (made by same company - go figure) are postage size twice a week and stay on well with few side effects - in comparison the once a week are huge and have lots of trouble staying on while giving a lot of people (including me) rashes and sores - seems the adhesive on the vivelle type is more water resistant and less irritating than the weekly patch

be well
jenifer