hey, soooo, my doc is going to prescribe me hrt now, and *naughty* me, has been self medicating estrofem at undisclosed low level for 7 months, my gp said he would be prescribeing progynova, whats the difference? i kno estrofem is oestrodiol, and progy is oesterodiol valerate, but what are differences? changing ok? is it better? any help is apreciated, i want to be armed and waiting when it happens, cheers
R

They are slightly different.

Estrofem is beta-17-estradiol-hemihydrate (i.e. two bio-identical estradiol molecules + one water molecule) while progynova is 17-beta-estradiol-valerate (i.e. bio-identical estradiol combined with valerate (C4H9COO−)). Both are quite good choices.

Estrofem might pack a little more punch per mg, but progynova creates a smoother blood level curve. Probably hemihydrate makes more sense sublingually (more frequent dosages), while if only once/day taking valerate orally makes more sense (and valerate endures the liver a little better).

However there are also invidual differences so if one doesn't happen to work good it might make sense to try the other.

i wont be able to try the other, my doctor can only get progy apparrently. any experience of both drugs would be nice, medical information i can get, i need experience.
R

I'm using progynova sublingually, and from DIY experience, they're almost the same. As said, the smoother curves gives and advantage to progynova, especially if you don't take it often during the day. The higher levels of Estrofem may go to waste if the E receptors are saturated (though at a lower level it is unlikely); that's probably why Estradiol valerate are used for injections.

Don't worry about it Racheal. If he gives you 50% more progynova than estrofem you'll get the exact same amount of estrogen, but even if he gives you the same mg, the result would be just about the same (because of the more constant dosage during the day).