I just started Intramuscular Estradiol Valerate, switching from Estrofem, or 17b-Estradiol. There's no real difference other than the ROA and levels. But my doctor said it would help suppress T levels, which keep popping up (literally, ewww), but that the dose will be the same as the pills (I was on a high dose, 1.5 times higher than the norm. We all know what that is...well if you go to a doc or know how to use Google) and a normal dose of Spiro. My T levels were undetectable but I still felt the effects of it, which was weird. But, in the last couple days, my breasts have been really hurting, like worse than at any point in my 17 months of transition.
My questions is for people who were on pills and made the switch to IM, did you notice a difference? Moodiness? Anything? I'm hoping for increased feminization and I'm glad not to have to sit there sucking on estrogen three times a day. I have heard from one frequent poster who was on pills for awhile and made the switch that she saw a world of difference and didn't really start passing(or maybe it was passing and being pretty?) til the switch, which was more than a year in, like me.
If you're on IM, how do you feel about it? Like it? Dislike it? For me, it was easy and the nurse was amazed at how easy I inserted the huge a$$ needle into my thigh muscle. I haven't shaved my legs either for a couple of days, so that was a lil embarrassing. But, even though it was fine at first, that mother effer hurt after. Felt like a charlie horse. But I only have dose twice a month. The downside is insurance will only pay for pills and not IM. So, it's was $56 for a 10-12 week supply. That's the same as my pills used to cost, but I was getting hormones for free, so there better be some benefit. If I get a big butt, it'll make all the difference. I'm not sure how much more I can feminize. I'm 17 months in and unpassable as a guy, though if I wear too much makeup I look like a bad trann!i!e. Hey I can say that, right? I am one. Well, I'm intersexed but whatevs there's no diff. I accepted this a long, long time ago. I want more feminization like I want more money. I figure the more the better. I get hit one a lot, never by haot guys, blah, but I have a BF who doesn't callhimself my BF but accused me of cheating months ago with this guy he told me to go out with. I wanted him to tell me no. What a weirdo. Men.
They were the difference between day and night for me! I wish I had started out on injections myself. Once a week and no forgetting doses. Feminization has kicked into high gear especially when "P" was prescribed. At my Pharmacy a three month supply before insurance is just $54.28. I will never use any other form to take it in as I am totally satisfied and have nothing, but good to say about them. :)
I'm 30 months in on hrt and I just switched to injections a few months ago. I'll just repost what I already said about my experience so far from another thread.
was on pills for about 2 years and so far the difference I've noticed in my mood is huge. I have more energy now, I sleep better, breasts matured a bit after the first few weeks. The only downside is the day before of my next injection, my levels are pretty low and I can feel it but its manageable. I also get an annoying bruise at the injection site for a few days, that's gone by the end of the week, massaging that area helps a ton.
So yeah I'm feeling the best I've felt in awhile, I didn't notice how badly pills were messing with my levels throughout the day until now. I'm guessing its because I have such a high metabolism and the half life of the pills was faster than what it would usually take.
This same subject on a broader scale came up during one of my group meetings. Talk about YMMV! Synthetic vs horse piss. Pills vs patches vs shots. Bottom line is you find something that works and stick with it.
I've done Premarin, Estradiol Valerate pills, patches, and shots. Between them all shots work best. Convenient, seems to work better, easier on the organs, far easier on the skin then patches.
I just had my third injection of estradiol cypionate (depo estradiol) after having been on oral hrt for over a year. So far, I definetly notice more emotional effects with the injections than the pills. I never really had much of an emotional or mental response to oral hrt. But that's not neccessarily a negative. As for physical changes, it's way too soon for me to judge, but I feel more confident with it and do feel it's making a more positive difference for me (though maybe it's in my head). So I definety feel difference and am somewhat beginning to see one as well. Anway, that's just what I've noticed so far.
Hope it works well for you and brings the changes you are hoping for. :)
I'm jealous of the prices I'm seeing here. I spent a little over $80 for a little less than a three month supply.