So I'll just leave this here. I'm not new here, but its been years since I've visited, and i felt it was time to reach out. So thanks in advance to anyone with some insight. 

My transition has taken a sudden halt if you will. Things have stopped progressing it seems, at 3 years now on oral hrt. I recently had ffs and that was the biggest change since being on hrt for two years. So all in all it's been a good year sense anything progressive. My question is, 'will switching to injections kind of "boost" my progress a bit?" Kind of like maybe the oral meds didn't do the trick? Is it too late to change my dosage? Is it even necessary? Does patience play a factor in this? These are all questions I want to ask my doctor, but she always goes the "cheap" route for my own good. But for once I'd like to go the 'right' way for myself and not for the sake of my wallet. My estrogen levels are normal female levels, so idk if changing to injections would even help. In retrospect I kind of wish I went a different route if it would've possibly had better results. What do you think?? Should I just go ahead and try? I'm 27 btw. Started when I was 24 if that helps.

I had been on hormones for 10 years, mostly on orals and finally tried injections. What a difference! Skin and hair softer, body more voluptuous, nicer, more shapely breasts, feeling the best I've felt in years. Yes, it can make a difference even after several years. I'm proof of that. 

The difference between night and day!!!! I noticed it almost immediately when I switched. I also added Progesterone to the mix and OMG! the "girls" went ballistic. They are doing more than I ever thought possible. I wish I had started injections the very first day I started HRT. 

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on September 12, 2014, 03:52:00 PM
The difference between night and day!!!! I noticed it almost immediately when I switched. I also added Progesterone to the mix and OMG! the "girls" went ballistic. They are doing more than I ever thought possible. I wish I had started injections the very first day I started HRT. 

I'm so glad I started my HRT with injectible estradiol, along with Spiro and Dutasteride. I was a little worried about the D. since it's VERY long acting, but my endo told me eliminating the DHT is critical since it blocks estradiol much more than testosterone.

In 10 days or so I'll start applying natural progesterone cream. From what I've heard it's safer than Provera and gives excellent results.

I'm taking an herbal supplement too: Solaray Female Hormone Blend SP-7C. It has a bunch of phytoestrogens, including Fenugreek, which raises prolactin levels to promote breast growth.

I believe the blood estradiol levels go up and down much more smoothly with injections than with pills. I also like that I don't have to think about taking E. every day: it's like my body is producing it naturally. 

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on September 12, 2014, 03:52:00 PM
The difference between night and day!!!! I noticed it almost immediately when I switched. I also added Progesterone to the mix and OMG! the "girls" went ballistic. They are doing more than I ever thought possible. I wish I had started injections the very first day I started HRT. 

Ditto about EVERYTHING you just said.

Quote from: RidingTheTigerFEMME on September 12, 2014, 04:19:54 PM
I was a little worried about the D. since it's VERY long acting, but my endo told me eliminating the DHT is critical since it blocks estradiol much more than testosterone.

Dutasteride only reduces conversion of testosterone to DHT, does not block androgen or estrogen.

QuoteIn 10 days or so I'll start applying natural progesterone cream. From what I've heard it's safer than Provera and gives excellent results.

According to several studies, progesterone seems to be VERY poorly absorbed into the blood this way.

QuoteI'm taking an herbal supplement too: Solaray Female Hormone Blend SP-7C. It has a bunch of phytoestrogens, including Fenugreek, which raises prolactin levels to promote breast growth.

The estrogen you are taking, estradiol, is far stronger than phytoestrogens and the latter can actually be detrimentral as they can occupy estrogen receptors, blocking estradiol from binding. Estradiol raises prolactin to a far greater degree than phytoestrogens.

Quote from: RidingTheTigerFEMME on September 12, 2014, 04:25:14 PM
I believe the blood estradiol levels go up and down much more smoothly with injections than with pills. 

Actually, it appears that it is the opposite. Levels with pills are more constant if taken twice and even once daily.

Quote from: KayXo on September 14, 2014, 05:41:00 PM
Dutasteride only reduces conversion of testosterone to DHT, does not block androgen or estrogen.

That's true. However, DHT upregulates androgen receptors, downregulates estrogen receptors, and is 3x more potent when bound to the androgen receptor compared to testosterone. It also lowers SHBG, and increases free testosterone by displacing it from SHBG.

There's a lot of evidence to suggest it plays a critical role in the high-intensity, short duration exercise that bodybuilders do to "bulk up." (http://jp.physoc.org/content/early/2011/05/20/jphysiol.2011.207175.full.pdf) I don't have hard evidence but I think DHT is largely to blame for making it so hard for transwomen to lose their upper body strength, even when blood tests show that E and T are well in the female range.

DHT can even persist in the body in significant quantities after orchiectomy, since it's primarily produced outside the testis. (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=41747.0)

According to several studies, progesterone seems to be VERY poorly absorbed into the blood this way.

Products are always improving. The reviews this product has gotten are quite astonishing and hard to dismiss as placebo effect: http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Progesterone-support-peri-menopause-menopause/dp/B00695RSWI/

The estrogen you are taking, estradiol, is far stronger than phytoestrogens and the latter can actually be detrimentral as they can occupy estrogen receptors, blocking estradiol from binding. Estradiol raises prolactin to a far greater degree than phytoestrogens.

You have a point. I see them as a buffer against too rapid change.

Actually, it appears that it is the opposite. Levels with pills are more constant if taken twice and even once daily.

Perhaps. I've read that in a few places, actually. It seems counterintuitive, though, that slow IM administration over time would lead to more peaks and crashes than much more quickly absorbed oral doses.