What delivery methods are you prescribed for Estrogen?

[Denise]

My doc only uses injections.  Estradiol valerate, generic, should be available everywhere in the US by now. 

So I take weekly injections of E and daily pills of Spiro.

Two months and I'm probably an 34A.  I typically wear 34B with room to grow.  Not over flowing, but no filler either.

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[Rikigirl]

When we did an informal comparison at my TG Support group the result was a vast YMMV. Some women went through several types of E and various delivery methods before finding one that worked best all around.

Just proves once again we are not all the same. Every body is different

Hi Joanne,

I have also heard that what works well for one person isn't the same for another when it comes to E! It's good to see there are so many options nowadays!

Riki

[Pisces228]

Tablets.  I tried to dissolve them sublingually but I could never dissolve them completely and ended up swallowing it anyway.  I have some fat redistribution and breasts are starting to grow and skin had changes substantially at 4.5 months.  I would like to try the shot to see if there is a difference.   I had very low body fat for a male and way low body fat for a female when starting.  I have gained weight after being on hrt for a few months so I think it's less redistribution and just new fat with old fat still in its place.

[DuchessBianca]

My doc only uses injections.  Estradiol valerate, generic, should be available everywhere in the US by now. 

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Oh how I wish.... Haha

[Denise]

Oh how I wish.... Haha

Have you asked?  The reason for doc to do that is it's the easiest on the system, patches irritate, oral have clotting issues, gels are a mess.  I'm thinking about asking about subdermal pellets but I'm getting such good results I don't want to rock the boat.

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[DuchessBianca]

Have you asked?  The reason for doc to do that is it's the easiest on the system, patches irritate, oral have clotting issues, gels are a mess.  I'm thinking about asking about subdermal pellets but I'm getting such good results I don't want to rock the boat.

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I've been asking (probably annoying my doctor) every couple weeks for months now and he keeps telling me it's on backorder. Asked him for a dosage that he'd prescribe me and other info so I could ask local pharmacies if they could get it in stock but doctor reiterated about the shortage. I see him this friday so I'll ask again but I'm not expected any different answer bleh I do go to a LGBT facility though that has many trans patients and I'm sure many are also on injectables so maybe it's about not adding more people on them until more reliable stock is able to be gotten but I really have no clue other then what he's told me.

[Moomin]

The GIC put me straight on the patches. I had the option of gel, but I thought It sounded messy lol.

[Thessa]

The GIC put me straight on the patches. I had the option of gel, but I thought It sounded messy lol.

It's not that messy but I have the impression that over time I could not absorb it in the same good way as in the beginning. 

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[jentay1367]

I've been asking (probably annoying my doctor) every couple weeks for months now and he keeps telling me it's on backorder. Asked him for a dosage that he'd prescribe me and other info so I could ask local pharmacies if they could get it in stock but doctor reiterated about the shortage. I see him this friday so I'll ask again but I'm not expected any different answer bleh I do go to a LGBT facility though that has many trans patients and I'm sure many are also on injectables so maybe it's about not adding more people on them until more reliable stock is able to be gotten but I really have no clue other then what he's told me.

Then tell him you'll happily take Estradiol Cypionate. It's not on back order anywhere for any reason. If he tells you it is, it's time to look at him with a jaundiced eye and consider a new endo. This is your transition, not his. He is not your keeper....he's your Doctor. He works for you, you pay him, not the other way around. You may want to share that tidbit with him.
      I had this issue with a Doctor once....looked him straight in the eye, smiled....an then told him he was fired. He was completely indignant. Arrogant Ass. I wont be lied to or patronized by anyone that works for me.

[Rikigirl]

Hi Thessa and Moomin,

I tried gel too and it dries pretty quickly. I stopped because I kept applying to my breasts which is not recommended as apparently it can cause breast cancer!

Riki

[DuchessBianca]

Then tell him you'll happily take Estradiol Cypionate. It's not on back order anywhere for any reason. If he tells you it is, it's time to look at him with a jaundiced eye and consider a new endo. This is your transition, not his. He is not your keeper....he's your Doctor. He works for you, you pay him, not the other way around. You may want to share that tidbit with him.
      I had this issue with a Doctor once....looked him straight in the eye, smiled....an then told him he was fired. He was completely indignant. Arrogant Ass. I wont be lied to or patronized by anyone that works for me.

Thanks for the info! I like my doctor as he's nice and when I asked for Finasteride and questions he's been helpful and willing, plus I've been there for nearly 8 months I'd rather not switch all of a sudden but I see him in a couple days and will ask again. I'll mention Cypionate and I apologize if this is off topic but how does Cypionate compare to Valerate in regards to blocking T? I know all estrogen can lower T but I hear that due to the very high peak levels Valerate can greatly reduce T levels. Along with the ease of once a week or so administering/possibility of better results probably a really big reason why I want to switch to injections is to potentionally have my T reduced enough by them alone so I can lower my spiro dose. While I haven't had many side effects, Spiro is causing me to have very low BP at times and even though I eat lots of salt/stay hydrated If I can lower my Spiro dose while keeping my T where it should be that would be huge so was curious if Cypionate works well there too?

[Dani]

Hey Everybody,

Did we all forget about bio-identical estradiol taken sublingual?

This is my preferred method. It is cheap, safe, readily available, and very effective.

Not every form of estrogen will dissolve sublingual. The estradiol made by Mylan or Teva dissolve in 2 or 3 minutes. Just try not to swallow until several minutes after they are completely dissolved.

Effectiveness is primarily based on blood levels and genetic heritage.

[jentay1367]

Hi Bianca,
     Cypionate is for all intents and purposes, the same thing as Valerate. The difference is that Cypionate has a longer half life. This means it's released  in a slower manner with lower peaks and requires injection less frequently. I believe it  was 8 days vs. 5 for Valerate. My endo prescribes it for just that reason. The issue with Valerate is that by the end of the week, your levels have dropped sufficiently to have issues. These could include irritability, hot flashes and night sweats as well as mood issues. Cypionate takes longer to be absorbed by the body so your E levels stay stable longer.....less peaks and valleys is the best analogy I can relate.  It is more expensive than valerate, but its efficacy is at a minimum, the equal of Valerate.  I've heard of many Trans Women's experience noting that in the proper dosages, it negates the need for any Anti androgen at all bringing you to a level of <200 pg/ml at a minimum. So this may be just what you seek. If your Endo tells you its availability is not there, he's either ignorant or being insincere at the very best. I have never nor have I ever heard of any kind of shortage, period.  Good luck on your path!....

[DuchessBianca]

Hi Bianca,
     Cypionate is for all intents and purposes, the same thing as Valerate. The difference is that Cypionate has a longer half life. This means it's released  in a slower manner with lower peaks and requires injection less frequently. I believe it  was 8 days vs. 5 for Valerate. My endo prescribes it for just that reason. The issue with Valerate is that by the end of the week, your levels have dropped sufficiently to have issues. These could include irritability, hot flashes and night sweats as well as mood issues. Cypionate takes longer to be absorbed by the body so your E levels stay stable longer.....less peaks and valleys is the best analogy I can relate.  It is more expensive than valerate, but its efficacy is at a minimum, the equal of Valerate.  I've heard of many Trans Women's experience noting that in the proper dosages, it negates the need for any Anti androgen at all bringing you to a level of <200 pg/ml at a minimum. So this may be just what you seek. If your Endo tells you its availability is not there, he's either ignorant or being insincere at the very best. I have never nor have I ever heard of any kind of shortage, period.  Good luck on your path!....

Thank you very much for the reply! I did some research on my own and found that Cypionate IS listed along with Valerate as forms of estrogen used for MtF HRT at the LGBT facility I go to AND is listed on my health insurance as something they cover. So when I see my doctor in just over 12 hours I'll ask to be put on that instead while Valerate is on backorder as at the very least I wont need to take pills sublingually 3x a day (something that's driving me insane though I know it's petty of me due to how much better my life has been since starting HRT but bleh) and importantly to try and see if my T levels can stay in female ranges with lowering Spiro while on Cypionate as the less side effects the better. I'll post my results once I'm back home!

[judithlynn]

When I transitioned the first time my UK doctor had me on Stilboestrol then Premarin pills, but when I was sent out to Australia for work my local doctor was really surprised how little feminisation had been achieved and she moved me onto injections of Primogyn Depot weekly then to fortnightly and on the 16th of every month an additional injection of hydroxy-progesterone hexanoate all intramuscularly. (after only 3 months my feminisation speeded up dramatically, with me getting B Cup breasts rapidly and a much smaller and well defined waist.) Unfortunately when I returned to Great Britain after 6 months in Australia, injections were not available then and my UK doctor put me back on Premarin, but I resumed on injections on emigrating to Australia, 12 months later. Now on my second transition, I am only on Pills, although if my Victorian GP offered it I would prefer implants.
Judith

[AnonyMs]

Now on my second transition, I am only on Pills, although if my Victorian GP offered it I would prefer implants.
Judith

I believe Stenlake in Sydney supply implants and a there's a number of doctors will do them. Personally I'd ask the doctor to do it or try to find another one.

[Ms Grace]

I'm on an implant (just got topped up this week in fact!). One usually lasts me about 9 months (although I had to stretch it out to 12 this time due to GRS and supplement with gel between post GRS and being topped up, and even then my levels were alright).

[Mariah]

Been on injections over 2 years now. I was on patches for 6 weeks and pills for a few days after SRS to bridge the gap. Hugs
Mariah

[Pisces228]

Question for the people who use injections instead of tablets.....I know injections can bring your levels up higher than tablets, but what changes did you see if/when you switched from oral to injection? 

[SonadoraXVX]

I started with patches the first year, then the 2nd year, injections, then the 3rd year, I switched to E pellet implants, just don't have the time to go to get the injections and I'm more even keeled mentally. The MD implants them and I forget about it for the next 6 months. I take a nightly dose of prometrium pills, 3 weeks on, 1 week off. I'm definitely more feminized, I've had a good friend, tell me straight out, "your literally like a lady now, from your back profile" and he repeated it twice. I'm in the closet still, lol, I just look dumbfounded. I don't broach the subject with anyone except my girlfriend.