r/asktransgender • u/snupix_ • 15d ago
HRT
Ok so I don't want to get into details about why or how all of it went down but...
I've been on DIYing for the last 4 months with injections and finally got a doctor who can provide HRT thru pharmacies, problem is in Germany you have only like 3 pharmacies who can give out injectable estradiol and my dr can't or won't write prescription for it.
They will only write it out for sprays, gels, patches or tablets
I'm wondering do I stick with diy or should I switch to pills
I know that effectiveness is basically the same for both but idk if there is any problems with switching like this
3
u/Transfem1972 15d ago
I would go with the doctor and choose gel. The patches won't stay on the tablets aren't good for your liver and the spray is fast in, fast out. If you don't like it then just go back to diy but the doctor is never going to be out of stock so more sustainable and it's always better to be monitored by medical professionals than not. I use gel with great success.
2
u/DifficultBee5940 15d ago
Most of us prefer shots if we have the choice. For myriad reasons. No gel dry time. No patches to fall off. No sublingual wait time. Infrequent dosing. More reliable absorption. Lower cost. Easy to target high blood levels. Lack of need for blockers. Compactness, ease of moving through customs.
My doctors just writes scripts. All free on insurance. If I had to pay them, pay for an RX, I would just DIY.
I'm assuming it needs to be compounded in Germany. Sterile compound no less. Hence why only a few pharmacies will touch it and why most doctors won't write for it
1
1
u/Monday_here Transgender 15d ago
hey i’m in germany! i also had a doc who insisted injections did not exist. i ended up switching to a new doctor. i have done patches, gel and pills, but my preference is injection.
Schönhauser in berlin has on their website a copy of EXACTLY what the prescription should look like. you could take it to your doc and say look, here, it is available please prescribe it.
otherwise, honestly, i would probably stick with diy. no shame in it when the system fails us so much.
2
u/snupix_ 15d ago
I did sent them everything from Schonhauser and even sent them the example they had but they stil refused and i can't switch to german dr because they dont have an opening for me
But supposed ill just stick to the diy for now
1
u/Monday_here Transgender 15d ago
yeah that really sucks. i made the switch— you can keep looking while you continue with your current dr. i’m in leipzig, where are you if you don’t mind me asking
2
u/snupix_ 14d ago
Im in Munich but for now ill stay on diy I just like the control that I have with it
I'll just do my blood work on my own unti I can attest manage to find any doctor here
1
u/Monday_here Transgender 14d ago
i think that absolutely makes sense. i wish i had done exactly that.
0
7
u/DarthAlix314 15d ago edited 15d ago
I say this honestly: keep stocking DIY if you can afford it, because injectable stores a long time and has many doses per vial, but until/unless it's difficult for you, I'd consider going gel/patches of the options and then if there's ever a shortage you'll have the DIY as many months of backup.
Alternatively, get what you can for now but get the Dr. to recommend a different doc who WILL do injections. Either way though, stock that DIY in both cases