Alternative Methods

[AGhostInMyArms]

Aside from the gel, are there any alternatives to injections yet? Like say, a T patch, or one of those slow-releasers they place under the skin (best example I can think of right now is those birth-control implants). Been wondering about this for a while, didn't know if there was anything new on the market.

[Laura_7]

There are implants, one example would be testopel, there are alternatives from compounding pharmacies without a brand name premium. They are also used for cis people.

Here is enough info for an endo or doc to get started:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,192044.msg1713877.html#msg1713877

There are quite a few people already doing implants, you might ask.

Often endos wait with implants until some kind of dose is established with other means.
But it may be possible to start with them, usually a few of them are used.
I'd say just talk about it with them.


hugs

[FTMax]

Pellets! I was seriously looking into them for a while, and they seem like a good option if you're looking for something completely hands-off and you can commit to getting in to see your doctor every few months. I think the hard part may be finding a doctor that does them. My doctor and I decided to revisit the idea once all my bottom surgery procedures are complete, since I'll be having to go off for periods of time around that. She admittedly does not implant them, so I'm not sure if there is another doctor on staff there that does or if she'd be referring me to someone outside the clinic I go to. I'm also not sure if my insurance would pay for them.

[Laura_7]

Pellets! I was seriously looking into them for a while, and they seem like a good option if you're looking for something completely hands-off and you can commit to getting in to see your doctor every few months. I think the hard part may be finding a doctor that does them. My doctor and I decided to revisit the idea once all my bottom surgery procedures are complete, since I'll be having to go off for periods of time around that. She admittedly does not implant them, so I'm not sure if there is another doctor on staff there that does or if she'd be referring me to someone outside the clinic I go to. I'm also not sure if my insurance would pay for them.

Its more and more covered. You might aks. Its basically just another way of application.
Maybe your doc could help stating that other methods are less optimal for you.

In the link above is enough info for a doc/endo to get started.
A source is needed, a compounding pharmacy, and an incision to insert the implants. Necessary materials like a cannula are also provided. In the link above is even a training vid for doctors. Some doctors or gyns do implants for bc purposes so it may not be unheard of for them.
In any case it should be quite easy for a doc/endo to get aquainted with the method.
Otherwise you may look around. There are clinics who offer bhrt bioidentical hrt for cis people. They use the same pellets.

But it may be possible a doc or clinic treating transgender people is interested to start this method.

hugs