Best method of HRT?

[Britney♥Bieber]

I've heard that shots are better and work faster but I'm scared! I've also heard that taking pills long term damage your liver and as a result can cause you to gain weight. =/ I'm so scared of needles but I'd deal with it if shots are the best way.

[Janet_Girl]

I use pills subliminally.  As long as you get check regularly, your liver will be fine.  If your doctor uses shots then go that way.  But pills are just as safe, if you get regular blood tests.

[Britney♥Bieber]

oh okay..thanks!!

[Robyn]

Yeah, sublingual saves one trip through the liver. Another safety measure is to keep dosage moderate. Extra high dosage doesn't cause greater or faster breast tissue growth, but it can lead to increased risk of thrombosis and liver damage.

Listen to your doctor.

Robyn

[JennX]

I use pills subliminally.  As long as you get check regularly, your liver will be fine.  If your doctor uses shots then go that way.  But pills are just as safe, if you get regular blood tests.

I think you meant to say "sub-lingualy": ie placed under the tongue. 

I've heard that shots are better and work faster but I'm scared! I've also heard that taking pills long term damage your liver and as a result can cause you to gain weight. =/ I'm so scared of needles but I'd deal with it if shots are the best way.

Few docs use injectables much anymore. This was more popular years ago. Pill or patch are the 2 main methods of E administration. Under 40, pill... over 40, patch. The key with the pill is to make sure it is the "micronized" version, as this will allow it to be absorbed thru the skin under the tongue.

As for liver function, this is why you need to see your endo or GP doc every 2-6 months at first, so they can take blood and test it to see if your liver is functioning properly.

[Nicky]

I use patches. They bypass your liver too so are kinder than pills. Also your dose is pretty consistent so you don't get big fluctations in your day to day E levels. But they are pretty unsexy the patches. Mine always get a dark ring of fluff around them by the end of the week. But you do only need to remember to change them once a week which is a real bonus.

[Britney♥Bieber]

Thanks for all the info!!

[Hikari]

I use patches. They bypass your liver too so are kinder than pills. Also your dose is pretty consistent so you don't get big fluctations in your day to day E levels. But they are pretty unsexy the patches. Mine always get a dark ring of fluff around them by the end of the week. But you do only need to remember to change them once a week which is a real bonus.

So the patches won't accidentally come off in the shower or anything? I have been wondering this for some time actually...

[April Dawne]

so does that mean that you constantly have a patch stuck to your body somewhere? I'll stick to pills thanks!

[Janet_Girl]

They are made to stay on for 24 hours, regardless of what you do.  I can not use them, contact dermatitis.  That is why I can't use the patches to quit smoking.

[Britney♥Bieber]

They are made to stay on for 24 hours, regardless of what you do.  I can not use them, contact dermatitis.  That is why I can't use the patches to quit smoking.

Try the electronic cigarettes. I think that would be helpful.

[lilacwoman]

I used to take Premarin pills and had no bad effects but then due to my age me and my GP decided to try something else so I went to Estrogel which is a nice thin gel that I put on inside of thighs so it stays moist and hopefully soaks in well.
I was not sure of costs so I looked online and found that Estrogela nd Premarin pills cost the same to get the same amount of E while injectable E was 50% more plus there woudl be the cost fo the syringes and wipes?

[pheonix]

I used to take Premarin pills and had no bad effects but then due to my age me and my GP decided to try something else so I went to Estrogel which is a nice thin gel that I put on inside of thighs so it stays moist and hopefully soaks in well.
I was not sure of costs so I looked online and found that Estrogela nd Premarin pills cost the same to get the same amount of E while injectable E was 50% more plus there woudl be the cost fo the syringes and wipes?

The needles and wipes are really inconsequential costs -- I pay $0.20 per needle and far less on that per wipe and band aid.

[Steph]

All good points and advice.

The first thing you need to do is meet with your medical practitioner and get blood work done to establish baselines then discuss the best delivery method for the HRT.  Remember what is good for some may not be good for you and visea-versa.  Medical issues could preclude you from using certain delivery methods, and while all are generally safe, each has it's draw backs.  Discuss it with your doctor.

Steph

[jade]

A lot of transsexuals abuse hormones thinking the more they take, the more they will feminize.

Hormones can only do certain things if you already completed puberty, everyone has different genes and are at different stages in their life, so the effects will vary amongst individuals.

The best bet is to go see an endocrinologist, they know how to arrange the minimum dosage you need whilst promoting maximum effects.

In my personal experience, I have found estrogen injections to be superior compared to pills.

I like Progynon Depot, its been around for a while. I buy mine from alldaychemist.com
You need to scan or fax your prescription first.

About the weight issue; regardless of what you take, weight gaining problem is common amongst transsexuals especially post-ops as they age. Then again, tendency to gain weight is a problem for many women too, its just how it is.

I personally prefer to be a healthy looking attractive female than have a boy's body.

That's just me.

ahahaha

[Debra]

I currently take estrogen sublingually (under tongue) and Progesterone and Spiro just orally.

I also take lots of other supplements/vitamins recommended by my doctor, such as Milk Thistle which helps your liver.

A lot of my friends say injections helped their boobs grow so much better and faster so I'm tempted to go that route but I hate the fact that I'd need someone to poke me every week...I like depending on myself. yet I can't do needles haha.

[pheonix]

A lot of my friends say injections helped their boobs grow so much better and faster

So far as I know, there's no studies proving that.  But in asking around transfolks I've met over the years, all but one of them who exceeded B-cup with their development were on both injectionables for estrogen and some sort of progesterone.  The one who didn't was on sublingual e and progesterone.  Hardly scientific, but something which fascinated me enough to ask around when I meet someone new.

[Izumi]

I've heard that shots are better and work faster but I'm scared! I've also heard that taking pills long term damage your liver and as a result can cause you to gain weight. =/ I'm so scared of needles but I'd deal with it if shots are the best way.

Shots will always give you the best results the fastest.  The doctor that i was with prescribed both and did some research of his own, and it seemed the girls that got regular shots developed almost 2 times as fast.  In my case i had a full years progression in only 6 months, on shots.  You get used to it, doesnt hurt all the time especially if you get a really good nurse that knows what she is doing you wont even feel it.

[glendagladwitch]

I did shots initially and then switched to pills later.  I did my own shots.  It was easy.  I have more trouble remembering to take my pills or whether or not I took it already.  I travel more now that I'm older and I wonder if I went back to shots if I would have trouble getting them through airport security.

[Britney♥Bieber]

I think I'll get the shots if it helps faster development!!