HRT options

[Denise]

After reading a few dozen postings about different options for hormones and blockers, I'm more confused now than when I started looking.

Is there a post/site with all the different meds/delivery-systems and what each does and the expected (both desired and undesired) side-effects available for MtF?

[Rachel]

It really is best to go to your doctor and discuss it with them. If they are not experienced then a referral to the correct doctor is best.

In general there are anti-androgens and Estrogen.

in the USA post puberty most anti-androgens are spironolactone. This is in pill form. This tells the brain you have enough T and to stop making T. It causes you to urinate (diuretic). You need to drink water, eat salt and avoid potassium.

E can be in pill, injection patch, cream and pellet form. When T is suppressed E makes your skin soft, alters your body odor, makes breasts grow and shifts fat and deposits fat under the skin. If you have dysphoria it can help reduce it.

[Dena]

I am going back on hormones and the plan will to be to keep me on pills because they work with my lifestyle and I don't need the rapid development that others need. Some people like jells or patches and others have skin issues that prevent the use of patches. I hate needles but injections sometimes produce faster development. Implants are an option for some but you need to find a doctor who can do it. Some doctors have preferences in treatment and favor one over the other. Top that off with sometime one deliver system works better with a person than another. These are questions you need to ask you doctor because it's more a question of your goals and what's right for you.

[Emileeeee]

I agree with the doctor bit. Not all doctors prescribe the same stuff either, so you might not even have all the options. Mine only does oral pills (not sublingual) or injections.

[JessicaSondelli]

Here is a link to an interesting Harvard Medical School article about hormones but as the others said, consult an endocrinologist with transgender experience.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/what-are-bioidentical-hormones

[Laura_7]

You could have a look here :

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,197550.msg1757196.html#msg1757196


hugs

[Squirebuffy1990]

Every doctor is different.

My doctor has me on Estrogen alone without T Blockers for 3 months to get me used to E first.