I've been on Injections for a little over 4 months now and I can't say if it's working or not. If anything it's just to keep my sanity in check (i.e fix what's being done for menopausal women). But I can't say if anything else has changed. I haven't really felt any sore breasts (I did DIY in the past so I know when the magic is happening) which is mostly my only way of telling if it's working or not. Body hair is diminishing but that's due to the low T values I get from Androcur. Other than that nothing seems to have changed. I might have gotten some more fat to my breasts but that seems to be due to the low T values i.e gyno....
So my question is for those that have tried all 4, i.e what worked best for you? Gel, pills, patches or injections? I'm not sure if values are OK here so I'll keep that off the list for now. I know that ymmw but anything is something for me.
Well, patches are the recommended method for cis women who want a steady, constant level of estrogen; it's something the patch makers advertise. (I mention cis women because, as always, the majority of research has been done on them, and the US FDA is approving those ads - whereas HRT for trans people is generally "off-label" use.) Vivelle at least also claims that the patch requires the least estrogen *administered* to achieve the same blood levels, but I have no idea if that's true, aside from the likelihood that the FDA might intervene if it weren't.
Cis women don't do injections, I believe, but everything I've ever seen suggests that those cause a spike in E on the day of the shot that slowly declines until the next injection. Higher levels at first, possibly, but definitely not steady.
I'm on pills and my doctor told me that there is nothing to worry about in terms of keeping your levels steady. She explained that estrogen is processed, stored, and used in your body's fat cells. After the cells in your body have been fed estrogen for a few weeks, then even if you stop taking estrogen it will be at least a week before your levels drop back to normal levels without the use of third party hormones.
The same thing applies to women who had their ovaries removed. A blood test done a few weeks after the surgery will still show high levels of estrogen. A month later, things will be falling low until eventually the only estrogen is what the andrenal glands produce by themselves.
I believe my doctor here because she has years of experience. So I just take my pills in the morning and get on with my life. Any method that introduces estrogen into the body will be effective at doing just that. No one way will cause quicker changes.
I like pills because its like birth control, and that makes me feel good. Its a constant steady supply, as in I don't have to worry about injecting myself and then dealing with mood changes two weeks later when my body's fat is running out of the estrogen I injected it with. And its clean/safe. No biohazard waste. No worry about people touching the patch/gel site and having premature puberty or whatknot.
My endocrinologist described to me the different methods in graphical detail... shots definitely have a peak right when you get it and then it trails off before the next shot, which also lets T slowly climb back up (possibly to a normal male level) before your next shot. He highly recommended implants because of this. He said the implants were also quicker to be effective because such a steady level of E is maintained and T is kept at bay.
If you are not happy with the shots and you aren't on a super tight budget, check out the implants if they are offered in your area. I recommend them. For me it's day 13 of hrt implants and my "breasts" are already sore and budding!
i don't understand why your doc would say your T levels would go up with shots. Spiro controls the T levels while the shot does the E lvls. Shots should have little bearing to the T count.
I did shots and it worked like a charm. Yes...its the nature with a shot where you get a lot at first and then it trails to your next shot but my T lvls never went down when I was ready for my next shot...my spiro compensated for that.
And to the OP...we aren't suppose to be chatting about DIY.
The best way to keep your lvls steady is with lab work through your Endo
I think he only mentioned it that way because he doesn't like to prescribe spiro unless absolutely necessary. With the implants, chances are you won't need a t blocker. It is more or less an option (still need progesterone shots every 2 months though). Also you don't have to take anything orally or worry about missing a dose which is great of course :)
After learning about all the possible side effects / health risks with t blockers, I am happy to have found a solution that is effective without them. The first 3 endocrinologists I called all wanted to give me shots + spiro, so I'm sure it works well for most (definitely seems the most popular option).
Creams also sound like an equally great way to maintain steady levels and still bypass the liver, and can be sent to you in the mail if need be. One of the things that excited me a lot: E is actually healthy for you if it goes straight into the bloodstream, all the risks like blood clots and weight gain come from the liver.
Patches give you really steady E levels.
I got Progynon prescribed and gonna take it for a month and see how it goes. I'm supposed to take blood samples in 3 weeks just to check if nothings abnormal, so I hope for the best. Patches is one thing, but I know that I'm allergic to the adhesive from DIY in the past so that's a no go.
My T levels are almost close to 0 thanks to the Androcur, but I feel that nothings really happening (E levels showed OK), I mean the only changes I've had are the one from low T (i.e hair loss/growth) I will never have fat redistribution due to my natural high E (i.e everything has always been on the right places) so the only thing I will notice is skin changes and breast growth.
Just remember HRT is completely different dependant of each person.
Some may experience from huge changes to little changes.