HRT Method

[Icephoenyx]

Hi all,

As I have said before, I have been on estrace and prometrium orally for about a year and a half now, and I am only a AA cup. I am going to my endo in a month and I'm wondering if I should start the patch? Apparently it is stronger (but more expensive) than the pills.

Has anyone ever experienced this switch?

In the meantime, should I just wear an A or B cup in my band size and stuff them with inserts so it looks like I actually have something there?

Thank You!

[RabbitsOfTheWorldUnite]

Absolutely :-) get some light inserts and you'll worry less about your growth rate. I'm still using the small ones I got several years ago from walmart but I've only seen them for sale up in jersey. Many many women enhance what they've got through far more affordable means than surgery!

[missjanealice]

I started on the patch and couldn't stand it, it always came lose. I use padded bra's to help fill things out .

[HitOrMiss.]

I think it depends on what patch you get. I've heard that certain brands don't stick well and are a nuisance but others are very manageable. Personally, I haven't done the switch you're describing. I started on patches and haven't tried other means. I use Estradot, which seems quite good. I've never had one come off, even when scrubbing in the shower. To take them off, you have to want to take it off =P. I'm not sure how much they cost because my insurance covers a percentage.

[Rachael]

I went from the pill to the patch because the pill raised my enzyme levels was on it for 1 1/2 years now been on patch almost a yearand athough they are more expensive I wouldnt go back. they do deliver more estrogen than the pill. I initially had problem with them falling off but that is because it was generic patch, so switched to vivelle dot and have not had a problem at all dont even know they are there.

[VeronikaFTH]

I have no personal experience with the patch, but injectables will definitely ramp things up. It's the cheapest, most effective way. straight into the body... My doctor just switched me a month ago after two and a half years of pills, and wow did it kick things back into gear... my breasts are growing again.

Of course, I have to inject with a 1.5" long 21 gauge needle into a muscle every two weeks, but I numb the skin with an ice pack and there's no pain. Well, maybe a bit of soreness a day or two later. But that's it. Pretty simple.

To answer your question though, with all the information about patches that I hear of, yes they are definitely better than pills. Probably because they release a more consistent level of E. With oral, you never really know how much your body is absorbing, it can vary...

Patches are just too expensive for me since I pay out of pocket.. and with some of the hot environments I work in, probably wouldn't stay on due to sweating, etc.

[cynthialee]

I found patches to be a pain in the butt. They don't always stay on, so I had to put a bandaid over it to keep it in place. I tried the gel but that is kinda sticky and you have to wait before you put on a top after it is on so it can dry. After it is on sex is off the table for a few hours as you can cross contaminate your lover with estrogen.
The pills are a pain cause you have to remember daily pills and they are rougher on the liver than some other vectors of delivery.
I went with shots eventualy. I get my HRT dose once every 2 weeks and I am good to go. Yes getting stabed by a needle sucks and if you don't have someone to do it for you, then self administration is your only choice. There is also a trough you have to deal with a couple days before the next shot where you are basicaly having PMS. But once you get aclimatized to it isn't so bad.

[Icephoenyx]

Oh, I forgot to add the injection to the original post for comparison. So I'm guess that the shot is the fastest, most effective method, based on the responses so far?

Thanks again.