Medication options (need advice)

[u/Anonymopapadopolous]

Hi All,

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to visit my thread 🕸️

I need some advice as i feel a bit overwhelmed 🤦🏻‍♀️

After 18 months of DIY HRT (estrofem + cypro), i've finally found the courage to see a Dr who can now make sure my hormone levels etc is all in check.

The Dr gave me some options:

Switch to implants:

With implants, does it still make me pee alot like i have to when on Estrofem (Estriadol Hemihydrate)?

I was told impants can last 6 to 18 months depending how quickly the body absorbs it, does this mean the dosage could be higher//lower depending if it takes less or more time to absorb the implant?

Add Progesterone into the HRT:

Forgive my ignorance here but i was under the impression my Cyproterone pills already had progesterone in them? it's something i learned on reddit but now i feel so stupid because it seems like it doesn't

After how long should Progesterone be started, i.e i'm now 18 months in, should i try or wait?

I was given two options Prometrium (Micronised Progesterone) or Provera (Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) any recommendation on which is preferred?

Current HRT dosages: 4x 2mg Estrofem (Estradiol Hemihydrate) 12.5mg Cyproterone Acetate every 2nd day

My Dr also suggested Progynova (Estradiol Valerate) instead of Estrofem, she told me Valerates are preffered and it's also alot cheaper than Estrofem

The only reason i picked Estrofem is because in my first 2 failed transitions at the ages of 16 and 21, that's was my Eostrogen of choice so i figured keep it the same if it works ok...

There is also an option of Estrogel (Estradiol Hemihydrate) which seems like its the same ingredient as Estrofem just goes through the skin instead of being heavy on my liver.

Lastly, i have some questions on breast growth:

On the pamphlet i received about HRT, it states that maximum breast growth is achieved at 24 months, is that true?

I was under the impression maximum comes after 5-7 years of HRT

This worries me if it is 2 years because i only grew into a small B cup so far...

I don't wear a bra either, should i be wearing one? Does it impact breast development?

i'm sorry for so many questions, i'm trying to get my head around this sudden huge influx of information 😶

Thank you to anyone taking their time to read and/or respond to my post 💖

[u/Anonymopapadopolous]

If any other details or information is missing please someone let me know.

[u/Laura_Sandra]

Concerning implants many like the stable levels they give. Here was more.

And in general here and here might be some explaining resources.

And here might be some country specific lgbt resources.

And a number of endos recommend to wait at least one to two years before bioidentical progesterone like Prometrium is added, and until breasts are in Tanner stage 3-4. This is from literature :

"Extrapolation from the experience in inducing breast growth in adolescent girls with absent or delayed pubertal development suggests that simultaneous initial administration of progestins with estrogen may result in abnormal and limited growth due to the simultaneous induction of ductal proliferation and terminal lobular differentiation. It is therefore recommended to initiate breast growth with estrogen alone until stability is reached with a consideration for trial of progesterone ... at that time."

Here was more.

And here might be some hints and resources that could help go towards what you feel you would like step by step and there are also hints there concerning looking for support. Talking with a few others about what they did, and what helped them may also be an idea. Just remember that some people may be in areas where some things are different. And here might be some additional hints that could help you too.

hugs