WillStealYourUsername

As others have mentioned it's different for everyone!

In addition to all of us responding differently we also take HRT differently. I take enanthate injections every week and so at the end of the week I don't feel much of a low because my levels are very stable. Would I feel a relief if I took HRT orally or transdermally and therefore had more swingy levels? Maybe. Maybe not. I certainly remember noticing changes more easily back when I did gel, but it was also early on in my transition and so perhaps things have changed now.

That's likely your menstruation cycle! Trans women have observed and experienced menstruation since HRT became a thing

We have all the parts needed to experience menstruation, just less of some of the tissues involved, so typically we experience weaker or even not noticeable periods. Some trans women do have very strong periods including period shits, cramps, and large mood swings. It's also possible that how we take HRT affects how noticeable the period is. I'ts not well studied for obvious reasons.

Also, all the different ways of taking HRT have different half lives which is why you feel better or worse when low. Often doctors prescribe people valerate for injections but put people on on a 7 day injection cycle when the half life is 4.5 days, and don't give people a high enough dose for them to have comfortable levels on day 6 and 7. Ideally valerate is instead taken every 5 days to avoid a very large dose and to avoid the 2 days of being too low.

With gel and pills the half life is very short and so you can notice the same day if you are a few hours late, but blockers will change the experience a lot ofc.

Hey sister. These are scary times and I wish you the very best. I'm about to go to bed and I just wanted to share this link with you: https://genderdysphoria.fyi/en

It was very helpful to me when I started out.

I also wanna say that transitioning is whatever you need and want it to be, and that there are no requirements to being trans or a woman. You are exactly who you feel you are and no one gets to tell you what that means to you. Clothes, make-up, voice training, hormones, surgery, etc. While I recommend experimenting in a way that is safe and comfortable to you, I also wish to stress that there's nothing wrong if you don't feel you need some of these things.

Realizing that transitioning meant doing the things that relieved my dysphorias and also just the things I want to do was very freeing to me, and so just in case you've ever gotten the impression that some things must be done, or that you have to have some dysphoria of some kind to qualify please be aware that this is not the case. This is all both about relieving dysphoria but also about freedom of expression. (Your identity is descriptive not prescriptive is what I'm trying to say. Do whatever you feel like, and then whatever label you use is just how you describe it to others)

I'm sorry about your situation and I wish things were easier. There are many here who have lived through similar things or are in the midst of that sorta thing right now. Hopefully they can offer advice on that. I recommend checking out the blåhaj matrix channel as there are several americans there who you might wanna talk to.

biological male who identifies as a woman

I hate them so very much

Edit: as in I hate the bbc for using this language

Why would you write this

How gatekeepy :/

Informed consent is far better than the subjective interpretations of doctors. No trans person should have to justify surgery and hrt by proving we have dysphoria or anything else, at most we should have to show we aren't currently psychotic.

Also, the risks of HRT are overblown. Doctors frequently cite old studies on non bioidentical estrogens and studies where progestogens were also used. They also still prefer blockers rather than monotherapy when mono is far safer, and often choose cheap blockers over safer ones.

You should rotate where you inject. I switch thigh each time and try to not hit the exact same spot. Injecting into the same area too often can lead to scar tissue buildup which makes that part of the skin hard and therefore hard to penetrate with a needle.

You shouldn't really ever take estradiol pills orally imo. Higher risk of blood clots and cancer for no real benefit other than it being a bit easier than sublingual doesn't seem like a good trade.

I would edit squeamish to say something about phobias instead.

I would also add that many of these paths need blockers which are generally not great for your health in the long run (not so bad that no HRT is better). Injections are the most available path that makes it easy to bypass using blockers all together.

1. The first things to consider are injections and implants as these can be done without blockers. I don't know much about implants tbh as they are not super available. Injections are very consistent and safe.

2. The second thing to consider is patches. Patches release hormones continually so there are no lows or highs and it's simply more convenient. Some people have problems getting them to stick, but sometimes medical tape or applying them somewhere else etc help. There can be supply line issues with patches so they might just suddenly be out for a little while. You'll need blockers which can be uncomfortable and have long term side effects.

3. The third thing to consider is spray/gel. Patches/spray/gel deliver hormones poorly to some people as they simply absorb poorly through their skin, but for others it's a great route. Spray/gel has to be applied two or three times per day and it needs to dry. The area you apply to can also accidentally deliver hormones to animals and people that touch you for a little while, so best to not apply with your hands. Don't apply to the arm you take blood tests from (to check hormone levels). Don't spray while near someone. You'll need blockers which can be uncomfortable and have long term side effects.

4. The fourth thing to consider is pills sublingually. It's safer than swallowing pills, but you will accidentally swallow some and therefore have slightly elevated risks. Sublingual like the skin can be a bit hit and miss. Some absorb this way better than others. Not all pills can be taken sublingually. You'll need blockers which can be uncomfortable and have long term side effects.

5. The last thing to consider is swallowing pills. Take this option when you have no others available.

Be aware that often the bad side effects are really only a concern when it's over a long stretch of time. Taking pills orally for a few months or a year isn't a big concern. Taking blockers for a year isn't either. It's an issue when you have to do this for the rest of your life and when there are better options available. Some people also have nasty short term side effects from blockers so avoiding them in the first place is best imo.

It depends. Doctors typically prescribe estradiol valerate which should be injected every five days. I use estradiol enanthate which is injected every 7 days.

You can read more here: https://piefed.blahaj.zone/post/24298

You go for whichever is the most comfortable/convenient as the differences are so small. Subcutaneous uses a smaller needle so I went with that as it was less scary to me, but some can get allergic reactions on their skin from the injections which intramuscular avoids because it's a deeper injection.

I use injections and I love the freedom! It's nice to not have to think about my hormones several times per day

Put the vial in your armpit until your body heat warms it up. That helped me when I used a thicker oil and drawing was slow. The first time I didn't warm it for long enough and I thought it didn't work, but I later learned I just had to keep it there for a little while.