Is it true that the shots are more effective that the pills?

[Richenda]

Interesting discussion on this thread. Having posted elsewhere about my recent tests can anyone who takes injections refer me brand names / types of injection? I need some specific info for a clinician in Bangkok.

Mod Edit- leave moderation for the moderators. TOS 7.

[Mariah]

 
TOS 7. Leave the moderating up to the moderators. Thank You.
Mariah

[KayXo]

Estradiol Valerate - Progynon Depot or Delestrogen
Estradiol Cypionate - Depo Estradiol (less safe, I think)

Hydroxyprogesterone caproate (progestogen) - Proluton Depot

[Laura_7]

Estradiol Valerate - Progynon Depot or Delestrogen

Delestrogen is also available as multidose vials so it may be more convenient with traveling.


hugs

[Richenda]

Fantastic: thank you ladies.

I'm guessing the valerate version or estradiol is better with an injection because of the slow release?

[Laura_7]

Fantastic: thank you ladies.

I'm guessing the valerate version of estradiol is better with an injection because of the slow release?

Yes imo .


hugs

[Richenda]

Ok success. I have found a great clinic in Bangkok. They will do me regular tests and the prices are excellent.

The drug regime is interesting. The prescription for the IM hormone injection is two vials. One is estradiol valerate Progynon Depot 10mg/1ml

The other vial is Proluton Depot (hydroxyprogesterone).

Would you advise taking both or just the estradiol?!

[Richenda]

Anyone reckon the IM shots make you more drowsy? I've always been a bit dopey on oestrogen but unless it's my imagination the IM has made me more so. I quite like the mellow feel but I slept for 8 hours last night and siesta'd again today.

[KayXo]

Could be as you adjust but E should give you energy...perhaps the T is getting lower due to higher E?

[Richenda]

Yeah I've always had a more doped out feel on E though. You could be right about the T drop: I'll mention it to the clinician. I'm really noticing with the IM that there are peaks and troughs. Had a hot flash moment last night. I guess when I was on sublinguals I spaced them through the day, so every 8 hours.

[Richenda]

Does anyone have a link to the bioavailability of injections? I saw it a few days ago but failed to note the link and can't now find it. I'm specifically after injections of oestrogen, preferably the estradiol valerate version. Thanks in advance if anyone can help. x

[SerenaOhSerena]

I think you have to factor in your lifestyle as well. For example, I'm not sure but in order to take the injections don't you have to visit your endo's office? Like shots have to be taken at the office? Because if that's the case, you'd have to factor in your schedule. Say you have to work the day you are supposed to take your next shot and you don't have time that day to go to your endo. And so it creates inconsistency. Whereas with the pill you can pop it in your mouth on the way out the door for work, school, etc.

I know for me I wouldn't mind the shots. I have Severe Congenital Neutropenia and so I have been taking shots 3 days per week since I was diagnosed in 2005 and will have to take them virtually for the rest of my life. So after like two weeks I just got used to sticking myself regularly. Doesn't phase me at all. Granted subcutaneous is different than intramuscular I still don't fear the needle. I just wonder if insurance covers them differently or something. As some of you say they are more expensive. And so does that really even matter if you're covered by insurance?

[Harley Quinn]

The Estrodiol Valerate is the slower release version due to an added chain on the bond.  Delestrogen (Estrodiol Valerate)  is what I have been taking for the past 6 months and I haven't experienced any drowsiness with the IM injections.  A common cycle is about 2 weeks to metablize the injection.

[EmilyMK03]

I think you have to factor in your lifestyle as well. For example, I'm not sure but in order to take the injections don't you have to visit your endo's office? Like shots have to be taken at the office?

No.

YouTube search for "estradiol valerate injection".  You will see plenty of videos of cis women doing injections at home for in-vitro fertilization or surrogacy.  It is the same thing for trans women.  The exact same injection procedure, and the exact same estradiol valerate.  There is no need to go to a doctor to do such a simple self-injection (which I do myself, at home, weekly).

[Julie Marie]

The only time I had an injection in my doctor's office was the first time, and I did it myself.  My doctor wanted to teach me how to do self injections and he monitored my first shot. 

After switching back and forth between injections and orals for over ten years, I have no doubt that, for me and my partner, at least, injections are far more effective than orals.  But now the serum seems to be in short supply.

Another thing I have found is that it is hard to find a doctor willing to prescribe injections.  For ten years I had one doctor who was amazing in both his knowledge of treating transwomen and his methods in doing so.  Now that I've moved out of state and my old doctor has retired, I am finding most doctors cannot break themselves of the mindset that transwomen should be treated like natal women.  They cannot seem to fathom we are not the same in physiology.  I am working on that...   

[SpeakYourMind]

Yes and no why?
Because it depends on the person and how their body responds to certain things
what doesn't work good for one person may work great for another person so to say something works or doesn't without knowing how someones body responds would be invalid. 

[herekitten]

Estrogen has been a part of my life since I was about 13. They would place you on oral along with biweekly injections to overcome t in your system because blockers were unknown.   This is just my experience, but all the girls I know that went onto injections saw faster results than with oral alone. By results, I mean feminization in their faces and breast growth along with the 'glow' that only comes from estradiol injections, not to mention that sudden rush or high about 30 minutes to an hour thereafter. I called it my estrogen high -- can't quite describe it,  other than feeling so euphoric and peaceful. Most everyone I know experiences it. I also noticed that it puts out some sort of pheromone or something that attracts guys like flies!! Darn, now I want to go get some e-injections.. 

[Angélique LaCava]

Estrogen has been a part of my life since I was about 13. They would place you on oral along with biweekly injections to overcome t in your system because blockers were unknown.   This is just my experience, but all the girls I know that went onto injections saw faster results than with oral alone. By results, I mean feminization in their faces and breast growth along with the 'glow' that only comes from estradiol injections, not to mention that sudden rush or high about 30 minutes to an hour thereafter. I called it my estrogen high -- can't quite describe it,  other than feeling so euphoric and peaceful. Most everyone I know experiences it. I also noticed that it puts out some sort of pheromone or something that attracts guys like flies!! Darn, now I want to go get some e-injections..

so no matter if your on oral or injections everything will end up with the same result just One might take longer than another?

[JMJW]

What's most effective is what's safest. I would refuse pills outright cos I'm not into risking my life like that. I'd rather take nothing.

[herekitten]

so no matter if your on oral or injections everything will end up with the same result just One might take longer than another?

I only speak to my experience. I guess the answer to your question would be a yes. With t-suppressors and estro, you should arrive at the same point. When I began, t-suppressors were unknown to us so maybe that is why we took estrogen and delestrogen along with some progesterone. Studies may indicate differently, but from my view/experience the injections change the physical faster than oral alone. I know some of my friends whom were only on oral for a few years and they looked great. After talking, they went on delestrogen and the changes were noticeable. I wish I knew what it is, but it just feminizes the body in a way that is quite noticeable..... and that 'glow'.  If you decide to add it to your routine, talk with your dr because he would know best.  Good luck