Does anyone use Estrofem or Spiro-or both?-what results?

[suregirl]

Hi there folk,I am currently using Estrofem and Spiro,I am wondering if there are others using the same?-what results have you had?-good or bad?-how effective have changes been?-how long before those changes became visable?-please let me know-regards to all the great sisters who use this website-regards to all my sisters

[Berliegh]

Hi there folk,I am currently using Estrofem and Spiro,I am wondering if there are others using the same?-what results have you had?-good or bad?-how effective have changes been?-how long before those changes became visable?-please let me know-regards to all the great sisters who use this website-regards to all my sisters

I tried Estrofem in the 1990's and it didn't do anything. I still have some left.......I don't know anything about Spiro but I have been on a similar anti - androgen and that works well...

[BCL]

Hi there folk,I am currently using Estrofem and Spiro,I am wondering if there are others using the same?-what results have you had?-good or bad?-how effective have changes been?-how long before those changes became visable?-please let me know-regards to all the great sisters who use this website-regards to all my sisters

Your in the UK, ditch the Spiro and get Androcur its far more effective.

Rebecca

[Berliegh]

Hi there folk,I am currently using Estrofem and Spiro,I am wondering if there are others using the same?-what results have you had?-good or bad?-how effective have changes been?-how long before those changes became visable?-please let me know-regards to all the great sisters who use this website-regards to all my sisters

Your in the UK, ditch the Spiro and get Androcur its far more effective.

Rebecca

I agree and that's what I've been on...

[Kate]

Hi there folk,I am currently using Estrofem and Spiro,I am wondering if there are others using the same?-what results have you had?-good or bad?

Your doctor wouldn't prescribe it if it wasn't proven effective

The manufacturer says Estrofem is estradiol 17B, which is a very effective form of estrogen. Quality-control issues aside, estradiol 17B is estradiol 17B, whether from a brand name or generic, IMHO. My doctor allows a generic, which is cheaper.

Spiro is commonly prescribed as the anti-androgen of choice in the US and seems to work very well for most people, although it has side-effects to be wary of (low BP, potassium overload, peeing all the time, etc.).

But as always, your doctor should have the final word on your concerns...

~Kate~

[Berliegh]

Hi there folk,I am currently using Estrofem and Spiro,I am wondering if there are others using the same?-what results have you had?-good or bad?

Your doctor wouldn't prescribe it if it wasn't proven effective

The manufacturer says Estrofem is estradiol 17B, which is a very effective form of estrogen. Quality-control issues aside, estradiol 17B is estradiol 17B, whether from a brand name or generic, IMHO. My doctor allows a generic, which is cheaper.

Spiro is commonly prescribed as the anti-androgen of choice in the US and seems to work very well for most people, although it has side-effects to be wary of (low BP, potassium overload, peeing all the time, etc.).

But as always, your doctor should have the final word on your concerns...

~Kate~

I think some will agree with me who have also tried it that Estrofem is not very effective......have you tried it Kate?

[Kate]

I think some will agree with me who have also tried it that Estrofem is not very effective......have you tried it Kate?

Well, I'm taking generic estradiol 17B, which in theory is the exact same thing. And it's worked well for me

~Kate~

[karmatic1110]

I take Estrofem and the results have been very good.  I am going to my doctors soon to get my levels checked so we will see where I am at

Charlotte

[Steph]

I think some will agree with me who have also tried it that Estrofem is not very effective......have you tried it Kate?

Well, I'm taking generic estradiol 17B, which in theory is the exact same thing. And it's worked well for me

~Kate~

I agree Kate...

I took estradiol 17B, still do, along with spiro and my results were very good.  There isn't any difference between brand names and generics, the difference is how the medications are metabolized in the body.  Works well for some and not for others, and you can't get around that.

Steph

[Ms Bev]

I use 17beta estaradiol patch, with sublingual estradiol tablet, and spiro in a higher than usual dose (yes, it's my doctor's Rx....now).
Estradiol is the most potent of the human estrogens, and both estrofem and its generics are bioidentical.
I got excellent results from this combination.  Spiro was originally a hypertension medication, and as we who take it know well, a diuetic.  I had pitting edema of the lower legs (means when you press the flesh, it remains dimpled there momentarily, showing fluid retention), and the spiro I take has eliminated it, along with its main task eliminating androgen activity.
I started at 54, 3 yrs ago.


Bev

[Ember Lewis]

I want to try Androcure, I'm going to try to get it next time I see my Doc as long as I can afford it as I've heard it's more expensive. I'm on Spiro and I hate the pee thing, I have a long bus ride to my classes. Yesterday coming home I almost peed myself I had to go so bad, and it comes out of nowhere...one minute you realize you need to go 15min later it's so bad you want to scream. And I too use estrace, it's my friend and I have no complaints about it. After 6months on these I feel different and don't look anything like my previous self.

[seldom]

I want to try Androcure, I'm going to try to get it next time I see my Doc as long as I can afford it as I've heard it's more expensive. I'm on Spiro and I hate the pee thing, I have a long bus ride to my classes. Yesterday coming home I almost peed myself I had to go so bad, and it comes out of nowhere...one minute you realize you need to go 15min later it's so bad you want to scream. And I too use estrace, it's my friend and I have no complaints about it. After 6months on these I feel different and don't look anything like my previous self.

You look FANTASTIC!

I takes Spiro and Estrace (Estrofem/Estradiol).  It worked great for me so far.  Again I look very little like I did before after five months and my body has changed in a positive way.  No complaints. 

[Berliegh]

I want to try Androcure, I'm going to try to get it next time I see my Doc as long as I can afford it as I've heard it's more expensive. I'm on Spiro and I hate the pee thing, I have a long bus ride to my classes. Yesterday coming home I almost peed myself I had to go so bad, and it comes out of nowhere...one minute you realize you need to go 15min later it's so bad you want to scream. And I too use estrace, it's my friend and I have no complaints about it. After 6months on these I feel different and don't look anything like my previous self.

I've been on androcur for about 7 years. I think it works well. Since being on androcur I've never got any body hair at all. Prior to hormones /anti - androgens I only ever got hair on my legs anyway but since I've been on androcur that doesn't come through now either.

[seldom]

Spiro is dirt cheap in the US and usually covered in the US as a generic under most insurance plans.  Androcur even the generic is very expensive in comparison and not available in the US. 

Seeing how she looks, I am not sure what the additional benefit would really be with androcur either.

[Ms Bev]

.....should probably consider a different form of administration such as the estraderm patch

The patch gives very good, consistent blood levels, without liver metabolism.

[Sara]

Ok here is the plain truth about anti-androgens which no one seems to mention. After years of taking anti androgens your body may get used of these drugs and they will be rendered useless. Thats what happened to me. The anti-androgens work well on lowering T but once your body gets used of them they are inaffective against DHT and then can cause other complications. I have tried both Spiro and Androcur and on very high doses and still they are not able to do their job properly as my body finds a way to fight these drugs. I went off anti-androgens as per my doctors suggestion but when I tried to go back on them suffered testosterone flare which caused more problems. It does depend on the person though as many girls take anti-androgens without hassle but for me and many others like me who have been on mones for many years now have to have surgery earlier than planned and continue taking a DHT blocker and progesterone for the rest of our post op lives.

Estradiol also comes in many forms and where one brand might not do well another will and it is all dose dependant as everyone is different and has different reactions to hormones. So try as many brands as is needed to get the right balance but remember taking anti-androgens forever is not what the manufacturers designed these drugs for and as for estrogen, is a life long thing once embarked on unless you like going crazy.

Doctors dont always know everything.

Sara.

[Jordan]

I am no expert as I am not on any of these meds, but wouldnt having SRS eliminate the bodies abilty to metabolize Test into DHT?

[Jolene4ever]

I seem to be on Sara's side here. I seem to have leveled off and am switching to another form of 17B with a progesterone and eliminating the Spiro. The reason for eliminating the Spiro is a topic in itself. Jolene

[Just Mandy]

Yea, I'd like to know more too.

I've heard others say you cannot stay on it very long term.

[Jordan]

I have heard/read that Spiro is available here in the US, where as Androcur is not, the FDA will not approve it because It can have more intense side effects, although it is generally considered 10x more effective!

Also yes 17B is 17B whether generic or not, unless its that finedestrine stuff which acually blocks the changing of T into DHT also Not available in the US