Hi .


So I am pretty excited because I am due to start HRT in May , it feels so good to be so close.


But I am thinking about whats the best method to use? Patches? it seems like a good thing because you dont have to change the patch more than 2 times a week. But I am wondering if it is easy for them to fall off? nobody that I know use patches so if someone here got experience I would be very happy to know .


Pills seems to be pretty bad for the liver etc? I feel like I want to stay away from them actually.

Gel? good or bad?


Any input is welcome .

 People seem to prefer shots, as do I... but pills are probably my second favourite, and seem to be the second-most effective.

Of course, the effectiveness of all of them is the same, at least in theory.

A transwoman I know uses the patches and she said she was surprised at how durable they were. Out of curiosity, she kept one on until it began to fall off and said it had managed to remain attached for over two weeks!

I had good results with estrogen patches, but they were prone to falling off. I bought large bandages to hold them in place.

But, the adhesive on the patches began to give me a rash, so I'm on oral estrogen.

Gel is expensive, but it is safer to your health and easy to use. I like it.

Thanks for the replies so far .

The reason why I am not asking about shots is that I freak out by needles .


I am currently leaning towards patches but I am still open to other methods.

People put too much emphasis on the effects of pills on one's liver. If you're a healthy person with no predispositioned illnesses regarding your inner organs, you're going to be fine.

Micronised estrogen pills can also be taken sublingually, bypassing the liver.

I do pills. I take E sublingually and my panels are all the same every time I take them. There's no reason to fear sublingual estradiol.

Quote from: Maja.V on April 11, 2012, 11:39:50 AM
People put too much emphasis on the effects of pills on one's liver. If you're a healthy person with no predispositioned illnesses regarding your inner organs, you're going to be fine.

Micronised estrogen pills can also be taken sublingually, bypassing the liver.

Strictly speaking it doesn't 'bypass' the liver, but semantics...

I feel this post needs to be repeated. The transgender hive-mind seems to have it in their head that the pills are super-hard on the liver, which is complete nonsense.

Yes any medication will likely put a little added stress on the liver. But unless you already have liver disease or some other risk factor this phobia of pills is really unfounded.

Some medications, like Cyproterone acetate, commonly used in transgender therapy, do have elevated risks to the liver. But estradiol is not one of them.

I take estradiol, spironolactone, a med for depression, and two more meds for multiple sclerosis, and usually acetaminophen (FAR harder on the liver than estradiol) to counteract the side effects of the other medications, and I used to drink excessively. My liver has been fine on every blood work I've done.

So this paranoia about taking pills and suddenly your liver dying is unfounded.

  You could try estrogen implants. They're tiny little pellets implanted into your body through a small incision. The pellets slowly dissolve into your blood stream for anywhere from 3 to 5 months. I think it's a little more expensive then the other methods but it bypasses liver functions and since it dissolves slowly your hormone levels remain consistent.

  I'm thinking about asking my doctor about switching to estrogen implants, currently i'm doing injections.

Quote from: MacKenzie on April 13, 2012, 12:32:18 AM
  You could try estrogen implants. They're tiny little pellets implanted into your body through a small incision. The pellets slowly dissolve into your blood stream for anywhere from 3 to 5 months. I think it's a little more expensive then the other methods but it bypasses liver functions and since it dissolves slowly your hormone levels remain consistent.

  I'm thinking about asking my doctor about switching to estrogen implants, currently i'm doing injections.

Implants is something I did not know about but it sounds interresting indeed. Thanks .



And regarding the pills. I have heard som many horror stories about pills and thats why I was so cautious about taking them . I have talked to my doctor and it seems like you are right, it is not that dangerous as I first thought.


I still have to think this through for a few days before deciding though. But the comments here have been helpful. Thanks.

Hi Carolina!

I am also a newbie to HRT. I did lots of reading online, making the decision to get my toes wet with Estrofem tablets.

I had read numerous articles that indicated the older you are, the less apt you are to achieve timely, satisfactory results. Also, finding any two sources of information that specified the same general timeline of results was next to impossible! Most simply noted that the onset would take months to materialize.

With that, I can tell you this:

I am 42. I began my faithful, daily regiment of Estrofem on Friday, March 23rd of this year. 

I had read that orals were indeed harsh on the liver, however permitting the dose to dissolve under your tongue spares the liver some of that hard work, permitting for a speedy introduction into the bloodstream. In this manner, Estrofem leaves no foul taste in my mouth. It's almost too perfect! : )

Today marks my third week of HRT. The past few days I have been near obsessed wondering if there was something going on in terms of breast growth...

Albeit, I am experiencing some degree of tenderness; but I am also experiencing a notable increase in volume... enough so that I am aware an occasional jiggle in my step, an unmistakeable perky protrusion in my side profile, and a definite increase (swelling?) in the size of the nipple themselves.

Last night, my spouse told me out of the blue that they were noticeably larger!!! That sent me into orbit! I am giddy almost beyond words!!!

With that, I have to relay that the 'older you are' expectations are either not very well researched, or genetics are playing the upper hand in my case... (my grandmother sported a very large bust, as did my mother, and my sister is no exception).

I hope I have given you something positive to think about!

Good luck with starting your HRT!


Love,
Kurtsii

My Endo generally prescribes the  Microgynon  pill as it is readily available, and has been around long enough for any side effects to be readily detectable.  I looked at the available info in my last job at a Pathology Lab, and am comfortable taking it. 

It is a low dose admittedly, but seems to be working extremely well.
Bodily changes are progressing nicely and I am quite happy with the results to date.

Karen.

I am in my 50's and use a transdermal patch for low-dose estradiol, though that has been suspended for a few week due to a health complication unrelated to the hrt.

I am strongly considering add micronized progesterone to supplement and/or replace the estrogen, as a contingency, depending on my health.

Does any one on this forum know any Physicians in the Los Angeles area that can prescribe hormones. Also what I can expect to pay monthly.

Quote from: KURTSII on April 13, 2012, 06:24:11 AM
Hi Carolina!

I am also a newbie to HRT. I did lots of reading online, making the decision to get my toes wet with Estrofem tablets.

I had read numerous articles that indicated the older you are, the less apt you are to achieve timely, satisfactory results. Also, finding any two sources of information that specified the same general timeline of results was next to impossible! Most simply noted that the onset would take months to materialize.

With that, I can tell you this:

I am 42. I began my faithful, daily regiment of Estrofem on Friday, March 23rd of this year. 

I had read that orals were indeed harsh on the liver, however permitting the dose to dissolve under your tongue spares the liver some of that hard work, permitting for a speedy introduction into the bloodstream. In this manner, Estrofem leaves no foul taste in my mouth. It's almost too perfect! : )

Today marks my third week of HRT. The past few days I have been near obsessed wondering if there was something going on in terms of breast growth...

Albeit, I am experiencing some degree of tenderness; but I am also experiencing a notable increase in volume... enough so that I am aware an occasional jiggle in my step, an unmistakeable perky protrusion in my side profile, and a definite increase (swelling?) in the size of the nipple themselves.

Last night, my spouse told me out of the blue that they were noticeably larger!!! That sent me into orbit! I am giddy almost beyond words!!!

With that, I have to relay that the 'older you are' expectations are either not very well researched, or genetics are playing the upper hand in my case... (my grandmother sported a very large bust, as did my mother, and my sister is no exception).

I hope I have given you something positive to think about!

Good luck with starting your HRT!


Love,
Kurtsii

Hi and thanks for sharing that .

I am glad that you are experiencing such good results, I have also heard alot about the age thing. Especially that after 25 its going downhill =/, that can make me e little upset sometimes because I am now 28. At the age of 21 I was so close to take the step but unfortunately I tried to man up instead, yeah you can see how that went  .

Quote from: MacKenzie on April 13, 2012, 12:32:18 AM
  You could try estrogen implants. They're tiny little pellets implanted into your body through a small incision. The pellets slowly dissolve into your blood stream for anywhere from 3 to 5 months. I think it's a little more expensive then the other methods but it bypasses liver functions and since it dissolves slowly your hormone levels remain consistent.

  I'm thinking about asking my doctor about switching to estrogen implants, currently i'm doing injections.

This is the method I will eventually settle on. Here's a link for you

www.odeamedical.com

It's not far from home, and I received a promt response to my questions by Dr. O'Dea himself.

Quote from: latingrl on April 13, 2012, 11:39:37 PM
Does any one on this forum know any Physicians in the Los Angeles area that can prescribe hormones. Also what I can expect to pay monthly.

Any properly licensed doctor can prescribe medications.  If you follow "the book," you will need to consult with a therapist who will help you explore whether you have "gender identity disorder"and whether you will benefit from hormone therapy.

Start an internet search for "gender therapist" in Los Angeles.  I think you will find several in the Westwood (UCLA), West Hollywood, and Santa Monica areas.  You might even find physicians who practice "informed concent."
How much you might pay depends on your insurance coverage, if any, and what medications you are on.

Quote from: monica93304 on April 14, 2012, 02:19:59 AM
This is the method I will eventually settle on. Here's a link for you

www.odeamedical.com

It's not far from home, and I received a promt response to my questions by Dr. O'Dea himself.

Thanks for the info Monica, a friend of mine goes to him for her estrogen implants too. =P

I do shot of E every 2 weeks and a pill subligually every night. Work great for me and easier on the liver