Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Shelina on August 12, 2009, 01:04:52 PM

Title: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: Shelina on August 12, 2009, 01:04:52 PM
I just wanna have a general idea how does it feel when taking that. Anyone?
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: Sandy on August 12, 2009, 03:57:21 PM
It feels like a shot.

There is no rush, or thrill or any feeling, really.  And if the shot is administered correctly it is virtually painless.  I do my own injections.

The only real issue for me is that estradiol valerate is that it is suspended in sesame oil, so drawing it out of the vial and pushing it in is kind of tedious.

It is designed to be absorbed slowly, that is why it is administered intramuscularly, so over the course of a few days you may feel an elevated mood swing.

-Sandy
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: shanetastic on August 12, 2009, 04:24:18 PM
I couldn't handle shots if that's what you're asking.  I had to ask my endo for other options because I was always sore at the injection site for about 3 days after the shot was given.  I think it might have been because I'm very skinny but I mean I'm not 100% certain. 
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: Ms Jessica on August 12, 2009, 05:59:42 PM
ummm, what Sandy said.  My endo draws it up with a bigger needle then switches to a smaller one when it actually gets administered.  Seems easier that way. 

Bit of a mood swing after, made my boobs hurt a bit. 
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: maidenprincess on August 12, 2009, 08:22:41 PM
Quote from: shanetastic on August 12, 2009, 04:24:18 PM
I couldn't handle shots if that's what you're asking.  I had to ask my endo for other options because I was always sore at the injection site for about 3 days after the shot was given.  I think it might have been because I'm very skinny but I mean I'm not 100% certain.
I used to do it in my leg, and I had knots every time I did them, and it was always sore.  I got too afraid to do them and my doctor just did it in my deltoid, and now that area is sore.  I have a new endo and I will be asking her for other alternatives.
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: Tristan on August 13, 2009, 11:29:04 AM
it stings a little. but i just put on music or a movie. you know somthing to take my mind off it
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: shanetastic on August 13, 2009, 02:18:03 PM
Quote from: maidenprincess on August 12, 2009, 08:22:41 PM
I used to do it in my leg, and I had knots every time I did them, and it was always sore.  I got too afraid to do them and my doctor just did it in my deltoid, and now that area is sore.  I have a new endo and I will be asking her for other alternatives.

I just went back to oral.  Sure it might be a little slower to gain effect so I hear but regardless it's worth it to me because I  have to bike to class everyday.  So either it's impossible to bike with my leg or impossible to sit with my butt :p
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: Chloe on August 13, 2009, 06:47:22 PM
Quote from: Shelina on August 12, 2009, 01:04:52 PM
I just wanna have a general idea how does it feel when taking . . .

NAKED ??? considering I IM thru the gluteus maximus, "the largest and most superficial of the three gluteal muscles. It makes up a large portion of the shape and appearance of the buttocks."

Never could understand the general adversion to "backend" injections, any competent nurse, the Army, any major dude will tell ya it's the best way to do this without any real negative effects (unless yer a total klutz!) Every third day opposite side like clockwork (which reminds me!) and nary a nerve, after pain or blood!

Needle length is important too depending on where your shooting and DIY doesn't necessarily mean no prescription either . . . Sheeze, do ya's need a vdo demonstration too?

Shelina, if done properly you shouldn't feel anything, it's not like when yer trying to "get high" ;D

Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: shanetastic on August 13, 2009, 07:15:12 PM
I didn't feel anything until the day after :p
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: Naturally Blonde on August 14, 2009, 02:33:16 AM
We don't have injectable HRT here in England, so I'm still trying to find an outlet for it in the U.K. So far it seems injectable HRT isn't licensed in the U.K and importing it from overseas is also a problem with customs and import tax on top of the high purchases price.
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: Robin_p on August 15, 2009, 04:48:40 PM
Hi everyone, Been a while since i posted.

I had my first injection of estradiol 2 days ago. I was on the patch for the majority of the year but it made my skin irritated. My doctor did the first injection and when i go back in 2 weeks i will be self injecting.  My shot was given to me in upper quadrant of the butt.

I feel fine and the shot was painless even though he used a big needle.  :)


Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: Chloe on August 15, 2009, 05:51:43 PM
Quote from: Robin_p on August 15, 2009, 04:48:40 PM. . . . painless even though he used a big needle.  :)

;D lol it's not "big", it's l o n g and ok, if ya need a vdo demo I'll show ya!
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: CharleneT on August 16, 2009, 10:13:18 AM
normally nothing at all, just a little sting when I put it in.  As for immediate physical affects from the EV, no, it is very slow release. 
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: Naturally Blonde on August 21, 2009, 11:09:52 AM
I would like to try it. See my comments in the other thread.
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: Christine Eryn on August 23, 2009, 12:56:44 AM
It was pretty routine for me. My doctor was halfway across town so she suggested for me to do it myself. At first the fluid leaked a drop or 2 out. I did it on the top of the thigh, one week the right, the next week the left. I asked my nurse and she said just plunge it in all the way, which I did, no more leaks. I could never feel any dramatic immediate changes, but definately over a period of time.
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: Naturally Blonde on August 24, 2009, 09:05:20 AM
I would love to try injectable HRT and I'm still working on getting some imported to the U.K. I don't know why it's banned in the U.K and it's very difficult to get information on the best source to import from?
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: flygirl82 on August 24, 2009, 10:17:34 AM
well i opted for a 1 month shot.  basically an entire month dosage in one shot.  for about 4 days didnt notice to much just some pain in my butt.  I did feel a little high though, i cant really explain it, but this could just be all in my head, and that it was my first time ever doing hormones :p.  but soon after my breast started hurting sooo bad. and there where bumps beneath the nipple... rather large ones, then they started getting bigger. lol .  But i do notice though, that im a little more emotional right now, my 2nd month shot is due end of the week. also noticed that my breast got bigger, then a week later smaller.  not much smaller though.  I cant wait to my next shot!  also in part because i start spiro which hopefully will bring much more benifits and faster aswell.

Im also doing my 2nd soprano laser hair removel the same day.  busy girl lol.

Ana.
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: Naturally Blonde on August 27, 2009, 07:01:50 AM
I would dearly like to try this medication but as I keep mentioning it's not available in my country and is not licenced. I would like advice on ways round this problem instead of either being ignored or others saying how wonderful it is wiithout considering that some people outside America do not have the same oportunities in trying this medication.
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: Sandy on August 27, 2009, 08:07:55 AM
Quote from: Naturally Blonde on August 27, 2009, 07:01:50 AM
I would dearly like to try this medication but as I keep mentioning it's not available in my country and is not licenced. I would like advice on ways round this problem instead of either being ignored or others saying how wonderful it is wiithout considering that some people outside America do not have the same oportunities in trying this medication.
NB:

I certainly am not ignoring you.  If you search hard enough, you will find, I'm sure, some way of acquiring injectable Estradiol Valerate.  However, by specific rules here at Susan's, we cannot discuss anything pertaining to values, amounts or dosages.

Sex steroids, like estradiol valerate, can damage your liver and should only be prescribed by a physician after a blood panel screening.  HRT is a dangerous therapy to do without support.

That being said, though, again, if you search hard enough through other sites, you may find information regarding dosages.  But be aware that if you do self medicate, you very well may not notice any problems until you start to go into liver damage if you over medicate.

Please be careful.

-Sandy
Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: Kaweah on August 28, 2009, 04:31:51 AM
Quote from: Robin_p on August 15, 2009, 04:48:40 PM
My doctor did the first injection and when i go back in 2 weeks i will be self injecting.
Oh, wow.... good luck with that!

It seemed like every time I tried to self-inject in the thigh, I would wind up taking about three swings which I pulled back from at the last minute.  Then I would pause, summon my courage and just do it. I'm not sure why I was such a coward about it, because the injection didn't hurt.  Maybe it was just me.

But it didn't matter since my endo had a horror of long-lasting "depot" injections of estradiol valerate.  Her concern was if a blood clot disorder occurred, the estradiol would keep on contributing to the clotting, which would be hard to counter.

I'm on the patch now, but have had the same problem you mentioned .... irritated skin.  Not always, but sometimes really bad, and I am not sure why.

Title: Re: Girls, how do you feel when taking injectable Estradiol Valerate?
Post by: aurora17 on September 03, 2009, 10:25:55 PM
I generally feel a little bit sleepy in the hours following the shot.
But since I have the injection on week-ends, I find this actually relaxing and I came to like this after-effect. :)