So, I start HRT in Feb. 4 (so excited ) but I'm a little curious as to what my options are in terms of dosing method. And also, which one would be the most effective? or convenient? The only options that i know of are either injections or pills; the last time I saw my endo, we didnt really go into the HOW but more of the WHAT i would be started on.

Anyone have any words of wisdom?

I have only done cream/gel.  Transdermal, injection, pellets, sublingual and patches mostly bypass being processed by the liver, unlike the pills which I've heard are a bit harder on the system and more likely to cause blood clots.

I'm over 40 and had a history of drinking, so I'm playing it on the safe side.   I'm also getting the orchiectomy very soon so I can do this with the minimum amount of pharmaceutical assistance. 

It all depends on some things; I happen to be terrible at remembering to take pills, and am severely tryphanophobic, so if I was to choose, I'd go for the implants if possible. But that's just me. In the end, the cost per dose may vary, but the cost per day is all around the same. You choose what works best for you.

Estradiol 3.5 day patch. No more ups and downs or plain forgetting the pill.

Transdermal gels, pills, sublingual pills, suppositories, injections, transdermal patches, implants

I go with 3,5 day Estradiol patch. I love it.

Lara

Patches!
With pills, they have to go thought the liver, and can be bad to your liver, if taken long enough.
Injection should be better too.

I love the patch, because I change it once a week.

Only just started but I basically had choice between sublingual and injections. I went with injections since I figured it'd be safer and my Dr was ok with me doing self injections because I'm a medic.

Another vote for patches; safer than pills, no needles required, nice steady source of estrogen, and I only have to remember twice a week instead of daily.

I am taking pills which surprised me. I have some medical issues in my past that I was sure would make the endo want to go with patches or shots but he wound up being unconcerned about that after we had a chat. Pills are quick and easy and I get the $4 for 30/$10 for 90 deal at Walmart.

As a German girl I am really scared about the US health system. My endo decided patches would be the best method. It seems in the US Walmart decides which delivery method is the best.
My health insurance have to pay injections, patches, pills or whatever my doc is prescribing me.

Lara

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on January 21, 2014, 03:27:00 PM
Estradiol 3.5 day patch. No more ups and downs or plain forgetting the pill.

Is there any specific thing? and by thing i mean medication, because my endo told me that they would pretty much start me on E, Progesterone and T-blockers. Does Estradiol do all of that? Or is there a chance i'll be given spiro? Im just trying to understand which medicines are the most commonly prescribed ^_^ not to mention I'm also asking my insurance if they cover these medicines in any way 😛

Quote from: Lara1969 on January 22, 2014, 08:54:06 AM
As a German girl I am really scared about the US health system. My endo decided patches would be the best method. It seems in the US Walmart decides which delivery method is the best.
My health insurance have to pay injections, patches, pills or whatever my doc is prescribing me.

Lara

Your doctor decides on what is prescribed, Walmart only fills the prescription. Prescribing a daily pill is a totally different prescription than a weekly patch.

I am currently taking pills. My endo seems rather dead set on switching me to patches. And I'll discards that with her my next visit. Either way I'm happy as long as I get my dosages I am happy.

Quote from: LittleEmily24 on January 22, 2014, 01:48:12 PM
Is there any specific thing? and by thing i mean medication, because my endo told me that they would pretty much start me on E, Progesterone and T-blockers. Does Estradiol do all of that? Or is there a chance i'll be given spiro? Im just trying to understand which medicines are the most commonly prescribed ^_^ not to mention I'm also asking my insurance if they cover these medicines in any way

You will probably get:
1. Estradiol (whatever form)
2. Spironolactone (T-block)
3. Progesterone (maybe) It is up in the air whether or not this actually helps. Some say yes, some no.

pills are pretty nice if u lead a healthy life as is (no smoking, drinking etc) and also if you operate on a schedule (my phones tells me when i need to pop one lol)

Patches here. They actually ended up being cheaper than pills for me....don't ask me how the Hell that happened. My Doctor and I went over the options very carefully.

He was thinking injection, but it would have been monthly, and since I have to drive a bit of a distance to get to him, I weighed in the cost of gas and all, and patches ended up being the cheapest option. And to be honest, that was the method that I was hoping for anyway.

I love my little patch 🙂 It's like a constant reminder that I did it, and I'm doing it, and that everything is going to be OK and the future is going to be incredible.

Hi Emily,

As you're just starting, you're Endo will take it a bit slow on a lw dose everything just to see how your body handles it. After about 9-2 months he should have you on full dose the lot.

I'm currently on E and Progesterone implants that last over 12 months. Nothing to remember to take each day, no skin issues or absorption rates due to daily skin variations to worry about, and they are by far the cheapest option so far. For me that is.

Enjoy and embrace the changes.

Huggs
Catherine

I'm on pills, I take them sub-lingually. I already have my post op orders, after a year or so post op, if levels are looking good, I'll probably switch to patches or injection.

Implants, love them, renewed every six months.