Hi ladies, I was hoping to get some real info on oestrogen implants. I would go and see my doctor but being christmas, he is booked out and the internet isn't really trustworthy with such a variety of information. Basicly what I am looking for is - what is the longest time they last and just other general info. I can be a little forgetful with taking pills.

I'm on implants, best thing since Bacardi and Coke 

I get an implant about every six months, E levels are steady, mood is even and I don't come off them for surgery!

Takes 5 mins to get them put in and one stitch. I get them in my tummy rather than my Butt.

Ha, I get mine butt side! My first implant lasted me about nine months, the endo was impressed. I'm on my second now and am due for a checkup at the six month mark. Like Cindy says, takes about five minutes with a local anesthetic, I have two stitches for mine. It works great!

Quote from: Ms Grace on December 22, 2014, 03:34:38 AM
Ha, I get mine butt side! My first implant lasted me about nine months, the endo was impressed. I'm on my second now and am due for a checkup at the six month mark. Like Cindy says, takes about five minutes with a local anesthetic, I have two stitches for mine. It works great!

You tall girls!

thats something I have been thinking about.. i get injections and its a pain to go every two weeks... something done once every 6 months will suit me fine.

should speak to my doctor.

My endo and Grace's have them made by a compounding chemist, so have a chat with your endo that they can get them. I know Jennygirl uses them so they are available in the USA.

So as long as they are under the skin, can they can be put anywere? How big are the implants? If you only need 1 or 2 stitches they must be smaller than your fingernail. How do you know when they have run out of oestrogen?

Oh they're not big at all. Arm, upper backside, stomach... they can go in a number of places. They only leave a very tiny scar. You know it's run out through blood tests. For my first implant my endo checked me at three months (all good) and six months (all good) and nine months (time for a replacement).

As Grace said, grain of rice size. You have a blood test every three months or so. Your levels are steady and when it starts dropping you have another popped in.

No idea why anyone wouldn't have them

Hmm... the next time I see the doctor I am so going to see if I can get one.  It seems so simple that it is a wonder that I didn't try them earlier. I might make it a late christmas present. Thankyou for your input

Going to push for Implant early next year... As long as its not rejected; gotta be the best way of getting your lifeline dose of E without the barrage of pills 


L Katy

Some info...

I've had 2 now. The first was estrogen only, the second estrogen and progesterone.

I used to use patches, and there's no comparison to implants. I've never tried injections so I can't comment on that.

I wasn't getting very good blood levels with patches, but although its still early days its looking really good with the implant.

My endo told me that once I got past the first implants it might be up to a year between implants. That would be awesome if it happens.

If you want to see what they are inserted with look up "trocar", but definitely not if you're afraid of needles. It doesn't hurt as you get a local anesthetic first - that stings quite a bit. Once the local did it's work all I'd feel is some pressure. It minor surgery so after the local wears of there's some pain for a 2 or 3 days, and you need to be careful of for a week or two (I forget exactly). Its not serious pain, but I remember I had to be careful moving about and how I lay in bed at night for a few days. I get mine put in high up on my butt, alternating sides each time. After about 10 days the stitches need to be removed. I've had them removed by a nurse at the local doctors. I'd do it myself, but I can't reach. All together its pretty minor in the long term, and you soon forget about it.

I asked about the size, and was told 4.5 mm diameter for estrogen and 3.5 mm for progesterone. Not really grain of rice size, assuming I'm not confusing the length and diameter. I wasn't brave enough to actually look though. Maybe next time.

I've a bit of a phobia about injections, and its the local anesthetic I find more disturbing. No idea why. I think I'd have a real problem doing my own injections every two weeks.

I travel a bit and I don't much like carrying medicine though customs - and that's without syringes.

I don't really like taking so much medication each day - its a constant reminder of what I'm really doing, and implants also help with that.

I'd never want to change to anything else now. If you can get them then definitely do. I think if I had to I'd get on a plane and fly overseas once or twice a year for this.