Types of Hormones and Resources for HRT

Stephenie

The only way anyone can know what HRT regime is going to be most effective for themselves, is through the received results of your analyzed blood-work. A knowledgeable and well informed doctor will prescribe you, in accordance with your test results, and in prescribing the proper dosages needed to be most effective for you. Dosages may be re-adjusted accordingly as new results taken throughout your transitioning, indicate a need for change, during visits with your doctor. If your testosterone levels are found to be low enough, the doctor may only change your prescription of Estrogen types or daily dosages in order to achieve expected optimum results within specific time frames.

There are many different brand names of available estrogen, made by many various manufacturers: .....Here is a small list of them, along with other associated meds used by many in their transitioning journeys......


Estrogens: (Oral and Trans-dermal)


Estradot / Vivelle - Estrogen Patch.
Climara - Estrogen Patch.
Estraderm - Estrogen Replacement Patch.
Estrofem - Estrogen Replacement.
Premarin - Conjugated Equine Oestrogen.
Ethinyl-estradiol -- Ethinyl-estradiol (Synthetic Estrogen) is most frequently used as the estrogen component of combined oral contraceptives.
Progynova - Progynova is equivalent to natural 17-β-estradiol which is found in Estrace.
Estrace contains micronized 17-β-estradiol.
Progynova TS -- is a transdermal patch. Progynova patches are oval transparent patches with a self-adhesive backing which can be stuck to the skin. Progynova is equivalent to natural 17-&beta-estradiol which is found in Estrace.
Estrace contains micronized 17-β-estradiol.

Not commonly used Estrogens for transition include:

Sandrena – Estrogen Gel.

Aerodiol Nasal Spray - nasal spray containing estradiol hemihydrate.

Vagifem - Estradiol Vaginal tablet.

Premarin Cream - Vaginal estrogens reverse postmenopausal atrophy of the vaginal lining, thickening the lining and increasing its secretions.

Ovestin - Ovestin contains the natural hormone estriol, which is a weak estrogen. It treats urogenital symptoms without causing adverse changes to the endometrium, which means that it can be used without a progestogen in women with an intact uterus.

Ovestin Cream - This cream contains the hormone Estriol which is a naturally occurring oestrogen. Ovestin is used by post-menopausal women to relieve local symptoms of the vulva & vagina such as dryness and inflammation of the skin layer.

Estrodose is the same medication as Estrogel
It is a clear, non-greasy, non-staining, odourless transdermal gel containing the female hormone oestrogen (0.06% w/w 17β oestradiol). 

Injectable Estrogen:

Progynon Depot is an alternative form of Oestradiol Valerate and comes in an injectable form.

Progestrones:   

Most often used as the third and optional component of the MTF transition regimen:

Progesterone
Provera
Prometrium
Microgest
Depo-Provera, or Crinone, (These are various forms of progesterone with no estrogen,and may be added by your doctor if you are at risk or a high risk for cancer.)
Progestrone's are rumored to promote breast growth more quickly, though no studies have shown conclusive evidence of this. So until there is evidence of this, we'll just assume this as a possibility and a Myth.



Anti-Androgen
These are testosterone blockers used to reduce your levels to that of a genectic woman, thus allowing for the estrogen to perform its magical transformations. Besides providing estrogen, a hormone regimen should also reduce testosterone to normal female levels. This usually requires adding an anti-androgen and can usually be discontinued after sex reassignment surgery.:

Spironolactone Most commonly used for MTF transitioning.
It acts as an antiandrogen of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Spironolactone in doses of 200–400 mg per day allows the practitioner to decrease exogenous estrogen doses tophysiologic or “hormone replacement” levels while still obtaining desired effects of breast development, feminization of skin, and female fat distribution.Androcur
Proscar
Cyproterone, (A generic form of Androcur, and Proscar)

Finasteride, is an antiandrogen that opposes the formation of DHT, but not of testosterone itself, and is also found present in Proscar in a 5mg dosage and in Propecia in a 1mg doasge.

Dutasteride, is also an antiandrogen that opposes the formation of DHT, but not of testosterone itself.

There are several other antiandrogens which are used for other indications but have no reported data in the transgendered patient. Flutamide and Bicalutamide are nonsteroidal antiandrogens normally used in the management of Management of Prostate Cancer.

_______________________________

When I was on Self-Medicated HRT,

I used Spironolactone (Spirotone 200mg) per day, and Estrofem (2 mg) twice a day, when I was on self medicated HRT. I sought out and was finally placed under a specialists care which was the happiest day in my life, and the estrogen type I had been on was changed and dosage was dramatically increased once I placed myself totally under my wonderful physicians care and his precise medical monitoring.

Some personally related experience:

Spiro is a diuretic, which will cause you to need to use the bathroom much more often, and you must watch your potassium intake, so as not to build to dangerous levels in your system.....
I do not propose, solicit, encourage, or advise the use of any prescribed medications without the proper supervision and monitoring under a knowledgeable physicians care. I only provide information for the education and self awareness. If you should decide to start off with a self medicated HRT regiment, a very reliable pharmacy source, not requiring medical prescriptions is:
http://www.inhousepharmacy.biz/transgender/transgender.html

(Also see their section under womens/HRT. where you can look all of the above meds up......)


If you are considering starting your own transition, carefull planning is encouraged for success. Check out the following website for information and guidance for developing a successful plan:
http://www.tsroadmap.com


Also: Be sure to check out and join:

http://www.trans411.org

They have a world wide resource listing bank of information, updated constantly, of known Star-Rated Trans friendly Therapists, Doctors, and Surgeons available, complete with addresses and phone numbers, in areas nearest you.


Much more to come.....