Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Jennifer.L on December 25, 2011, 07:33:46 AM

Title: HRT Types
Post by: Jennifer.L on December 25, 2011, 07:33:46 AM
So ok, There's four ways to get E; the patch, the pill, the shot and the suppository.

They say the pill is hard on your system.  So girls use the old hold it under your tongue.
The Shot is, well you have to stab your self.


So whats the story on the patch, and has anyone tried the suppository?  I know the thought of going in the back way, to take your meds.  But it would skip the whole stomach issue?
Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: monica93304 on December 26, 2011, 04:19:21 PM
Hi Jennifer,

I had not heard of the supository method to be honest.  You didn't mention "pellet" hrt which is inserted into your thigh. You get your "refills" every 3-6 months.  I'm getting a little older, so I'm pretty sure this is the method I will begin in the near future.

Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: Jennifer.L on December 26, 2011, 09:10:38 PM
Well see what I've read is that not much gets into you system if you jsut swallow the pill.  But if you hold it under you tongue for a few minutes instead;  You will get a lot more into your system.  Theres a Latin term for it...   [ This method is called "sublingually" (Latin for under the tongue)]  But a supository works the same way.  What it comes down to is that, "under your tongue", works like the um... back door.  Only this way it doesn't do what ever is hard on your stomach.  The best is the shot, but needles scare the c,rap out of me.
Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: Maja.V on December 27, 2011, 12:05:02 AM
Pills do not affect the stomach, rather they can put strain on the liver, especially if you're taking quite a few of them and your liver isn't healthy.

Taking micronized pills sublingually not only relieves your liver from yet another pill to process, more estrogen passes through your bloodstream as well (because, again, you bypass the liver).
Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: Jennifer.L on December 28, 2011, 02:08:22 PM
Are there pills made for sublingually?  like designed for that use, or do you jsut um smash em up?
Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: Maja.V on January 03, 2012, 04:16:23 PM
Quote from: Jennifer.L on December 28, 2011, 02:08:22 PM
Are there pills made for sublingually?  like designed for that use, or do you jsut um smash em up?

Only micronised pills can be taken sublingually. They have a sort of chalky feeling once they start melting. The only oestrogen like that I know of, is Estrofem by Nordisk (which is what I'm using).
Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: Bird on January 03, 2012, 05:05:09 PM
I use a gel that I rub on my skin, this system has worked very well for me.
Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: MarcyThomas7268 on January 06, 2012, 12:34:45 AM
Yeah, sublingual is usually the way to go when it comes to pills. Although a few women may get better results with just swallowing. YMMV   ::)
Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: noleen111 on January 07, 2012, 07:17:27 AM
I get my oestrogen via injections.

I do feel very emotional after the injections as the higher level oestrogen, does put your levels higherr than a pregnant woman.

Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: chrishoney on January 08, 2012, 04:42:24 PM
Patches use transdermal administration and have similar low health risks as injections, avoid the first pass through the liver problem of oral administration and have the added benefit that if you react badly to the supposedly inert ingredients in the administration method (the adhesive in the patch), you can pull it off. With an injection, if your system does not like the oil substrate used to transport the estrogen, you're stuck for a week or more. Transdermal application (patches or gels) requires similarly lower dosages when compared to injections. Oral administration requires the highest dosage.

With sublingual administration, there is controversy about how much is actually absorbed via the oral mucosa and how much ends up being swallowed and absorbed via the digestive system. If you need to avoid oral administration secondary to increased risk for thrombotic events (late transitioners and smokers in particular), I would ask your doc about patches or injections. Intramuscular injections are easy to learn how to do, and not very painful for most people. Definitely worth looking into.

Many women use the patches as they are easy, have one of the lowest effective dosages of any administration method and only need to be put on once per week. They are more expensive than injections though.
Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: Korra on January 13, 2012, 01:08:52 PM
I had no idea there were suppositories.  That sounds unpleasant ><.
Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: Dale on January 20, 2012, 10:22:46 PM
I take estradial daily under my tongue and a EV shot every 2 weeks. Works great for me
Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: Tazia of the Omineca on January 20, 2012, 11:49:43 PM
Estradiol is apparently Micronized, and I didn't know I could take it under my tongue, I think I will start doing that!
Thanks ladies, I learned something good today! I have been taking E for like 2 or so months and maybe this method will improve effectiveness!
Again thank you all, I just did as my doctor suggested and took it orally. :3
Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: AbraCadabra on January 21, 2012, 12:14:41 AM
Quote from: Maja.V on January 03, 2012, 04:16:23 PM
Only micronised pills can be taken sublingually. They have a sort of chalky feeling once they start melting. The only oestrogen like that I know of, is Estrofem by Nordisk (which is what I'm using).

Other item I know - and take myself is:
Estro-Pause (Estradiol Valerate) by Adcock Ingram.
Also works sublingual.

Axelle
Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: Stephe on January 21, 2012, 01:13:57 AM
I use a creme I apply twice a day. Goes straight into your blood through the skin.
Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: Maegan on January 23, 2012, 01:10:58 AM
I also take Estropause sublingually as Axelle does. It works great for me and doesn't taste bad at all.
Title: Re: HRT Types
Post by: Annah on January 23, 2012, 01:21:18 AM
Quote from: Jennifer.L on December 25, 2011, 07:33:46 AM
So ok, There's four ways to get E; the patch, the pill, the shot and the suppository.

They say the pill is hard on your system.  So girls use the old hold it under your tongue.
The Shot is, well you have to stab your self.


So whats the story on the patch, and has anyone tried the suppository?  I know the thought of going in the back way, to take your meds.  But it would skip the whole stomach issue?

I do shots once a week. if it goes in your arm you really dont feel it.

I couldn't do suppositories.... i just couldn't.

I never tried patches but i heard good and bad things about em