DIY HRT

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/41790661

So, without context, this question sounds really strange. I've been on DIY HRT since the 15th of January, 2025 (started on estradiol valerate pills with cyproterone acetate). I switched to estradiol cypionate injections on the 6th of May, 2025, and have been using it since then. I've dialed in a stable EC dose for monotherapy that has given me adequate testosterone suppression (this month's labs show 15ng/dL). I've been getting regular bloodwork, and have an exact timeline of my dosage adjustments since I started HRT. I'm also in the US, since that's likely relevant.

I now want to start progesterone, and I want to just get a prescription for 2 reasons: price, and a letter of support for surgery showing I've been on HRT 2+ years by the time I get surgery (for insurance coverage). But if I'm to get a progesterone prescription, I'd also be getting an estradiol prescription. The problem is that I'm stable on EC, but even if my insurance were to cover it (under the brand name Depo-Estradiol, it's a Tier 3 drug since it doesn't have a generic), it would be $100 for a 90 day supply (3 vials). Uninsured, it's $250/vial, and I find it likely it won't be covered, as EV is a Tier 1 covered drug (they'd want me to take that instead because it costs the insurance less for a generic).

I have concerns with starting EV, because my dose would have to be dialed in again, and my estradiol levels would be far, far more erratic. EC has a much longer half-life than EV, so it keeps hormone levels much more stable. With EV at an "equivalent dose" (keeping the average over the week the same as the EC I'm currently on), I'd have much higher peaks, and much lower troughs, and I'm concerned that it will worsen my mood swings (I'm bipolar, but have been doing better with medication). There's also the downside that Depo-Estradiol is only available in 5mg/mL concentration, so I'd be injecting 8x more volume than my 40mg/mL DIY vial.

So, if I were to get a prescription, here are my options (in no particular order):

• Switch to EV and be forced to dial in the correct dosage to adequately suppress testosterone while minimizing supraphysiological serum levels of estradiol
• Get an EC prescription and risk no coverage (and pay as much for 3 months as I do for 2 years DIY if it is covered)
• Get an EV prescription and fill the drug, but keep taking my EC
• Get an EV prescription and don't fill it while continuing EC
• Get an EC prescription and don't fill it while continuing DIY (because I don't have that kind of money)

I believe the insurance will not be checking my prescription history, since I could choose not to use insurance at all for it; they just ask for a letter from my prescribing provider. I'm also aware that in the US, providers can check if you've filled a prescription (and sometimes even be notified when you fill/decline to fill a prescription). I'm apprehensive to discuss this with the provider I'll be seeing, as they may become suspicious that I'm not following my treatment regimine, and thus may deny me a letter when the time comes.

So I'm kind of at a loss for what to do here. The option I feel most comfortable with is filling EV, but continuing EC, as EV is really cheap (<$10/month). That also leaves a trail of prescription history. But my labs might show unexpected serum estradiol levels, so my dosage may be adjusted, and then I may get questions about why my serum estradiol levels didn't change when the prescribed dosage changed. I also feel like throwing out good vials of EV is a waste. So my next preferred option would be to get prescribed EC, and not fill it because it's so expensive. That way, my bloodwork lines up, but again, prescription history wouldn't match up.

I just feel a little overwhelmed.

The recommended dosages I'm seeing vary quite a lot. How dependent is dose on, for example. I was planning on a 8mg loading dose followed by weekly injections of 5 mg to start but my supplier recommends 7.5mg per week which seems high.

I'm on the larger side so I'd probably need a slightly higher dose, but does anyone know a website where I can get pharmacokinetic calculations and the like? It seems like weight and body fat percentage would have an effect on dose but I haven't seen information on that.

I don't mind taking a higher dose, but I'd like to make it last if possible.

Since my old vendor, VC, went on permanent hiatus I am looking for new ones. At this point I used Lena's stuff, otokonoko and VC.

I prefer EEN but am open to anything injectable.

I thought looking through reddit, but this community needs some activity. So yeah. Share your recent experiences.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/40621689

supposedly they were closing until the 30th. their website still is down for me tho

About an hour ago I took two pumps of gynokadin dosergiel estradiol (approx 1.5mg I believe?). Will take 1 tablet (100mg) of Spironolactone tomorrow 🙏

Kinda feeling something already but it’s probably just placebo.

[yes, i am a cis woman but I feel (and look😓) like a man basically. I’m 23. Been to the gp and apparentlyyyy I’m only deficient in Vitamin D but Idek what they actually tested me for 🤷‍♀️ (besides that). I was basically told “NO”! to hrt. So since my life and health is awful, I decided to do a little research and got it myself. I am about to ovulate within the next week ish so I probably won’t take that much but we shall see how it goes!] Any advice welcome 🦋

Hi there dear blahaj.zone lemmy instance! I'm Amia, transfem. I've been since June 2025 on Estradiol Undecylate injections, 30mg/28days which seems more than enough. Progress is also pretty visible which I'm happy about and I finally got a nice sweet GP who agreed to do tests for me, nice! Now, I asked to test for my Estrogen (thus all of them and not only estradiol), Testosterone levels and also liver functions. I know that the most important part is having estradiol above 100pg/mL and testosterone below 50ng/dL but for example, with liver functions, do I need to just see if my values are just normal, or should I look into more details? Should I order more tests next time or am I being too paranoid now? I'll get those results back in a few days, so I would really like to double-check for myself how and what I am doing and maybe hear experiences and opinions from other people about all this. Thanks in advance! *PS: First of all, I know that I can just look up the needed values online but I just want to ask for advice to make sure I'm not missing out on anything. *

note: I'm not sure if I can (or should) use the full name of their operation in this community

I saw this mentionned on a Mastodon post and thought i might post it here. This is an unfortunate loss for any DIYers in Europe that were relying on them.

They're currently still selling things, at a small discount, but have increased minimum order price to 135 EUR to decrease the amount of parcels they need to ship.

They're also selling their EEn raws, but im surprised at the price, maybe they're tested? No idea

Here's the notice on their website in full:

Hello Friends! We have been doing this for quite some time now but personal circumstances change and we will sadly not be able to continue offering our service past the next few months.

The extreme demand of the last few weeks has increased the pressure on us and we are now at the point to announce this and introduce the following changes.

We do still have extensive inventory left and we are offering it at a small discount now. However, since we urgently need to reduce the amount of parcels sent out, we’d like to try a minimum order amount of 135 EUR (3 items). We know this might be disappointing to some but with the reduced prices it comes to the perfect size for a little stash or to pool with local friends from your community.

This might not be the end forever, but we will be on hiatus once our inventory is depleted. Until then, we will continue to top up the inventory in the shop regularly, so don’t worry if some products are temporarily out of stock.

hello, after 10 weeks of injecting EEn in MCT oil in the vastus lateralis sites, i've noticed a very small area around the site on my left thigh has darkened. i just noticed it today. my last injection was 4 days ago, there's been no pain or discomfort since the injection, nor is the darkened area raised or swollen. i only noticed when i was able to see it. i'm wondering if anyone else has experienced something like this, and if it's a cause for concern, since i can't find much on darkened injection sites on google.

I'm not about to hang around and wait for the government to decide whether or not I'm allowed to be happy. So I've ordered a vial of enanthate. Hopefully it gets past customs, but if the internet is to be believed it probably won't. Still, I might have my transmission fluid in a couple of weeks!

Hi, I tried to reach out to a local clinic for cryopreservation (of sperm) and they said they don't do it anymore so maybe there are other options?

I use EEN in Grapeseed Oil from Voix Celeste, link at the end, and have been wondering as the temperature climbed over 30° a lot in the last couple of days: Should I keep the vials cool? Currently I keep em in a Cupboard in the Bathroom, so that thry are sheltered from light and sunshine at all times. So here is my question: should I put em in the fridge or are they fine as they are in the cupboard.

The Vials in question: https://voixceleste.cc/p/estradiol-enanthate-in-grapeseed-50mg-ml/

Whether you are doing prescribed HRT or have resorted to DIY, this guide might be helpful to those of you who will be taking injections. It contains a bunch of links and I explain some terms that I don't always see explained elsewhere.

This guide should be applicable to transmascs as well as transfems, but some tools and links are unfortunately focused on feminizing HRT.

Also, I would very much like feedback on this guide and more resources and guides to link.

Helpful links

• Check here and here for some good info and guidelines on dosages for transfems.
• There is also this estradiol simulator, however be aware that everyone is different and that the simulator only shows the expected average (actual values can vary a lot between individuals).

Guides

Here are some guides written by people with more experience than me.

• https://transharmreduction.org/injecting-safely
• https://www.transcarebc.ca/hormone-therapy/injecting-hormones
• https://nextcloud.aztinet.eus/s/MPGoniWNFGBFRJ5
• Intramuscular video guide
• Sub-q video guide

What is IM/intramuscular and sub-q/subcutaneous?

Subcutaneous is an injection into the fat below your skin. Some people experience that their skin reacts to the liquid you inject when doing this kind of injection, and some don't (resulting in a sore red bump at the injection site).

Instramuscular is a deeper injection into your muscles. This is the one your doctor will recommend to you as you are way less likely to have a reaction with this one than with sub-q.

Both give you the same results. Both will give you approximately the same amount of hormones. Pick whichever you are most comfortable with.

What does "gauge" mean?

For us gauge is a measurement of how thin a needle is. The higher the gauge, the thinner the needle, with 30G being very thin and 15G being thicker.

Generally you can use a wide range of gauges for HRT. A higher gauge will be kinder on the rubber stopper and have less chance to cause coring in the long run, while a smaller gauge will draw the liquid out quicker and do better with thicker oils.

I use a 29G insulin needle myself.

What needle should I use?

Needle gauge

Appropriate gauges (needle thickness) for a subcutaneous injection are 25-30g, for intramuscular, 23-25g. Subq needles are thinner than IM needles, which some people find less intimidating.

From the diyhrt website.

Needle length

Recommended needle lengths are as follows: 1”-1 ½” (IM, 1 inch is better for thinner people and 1 ½” for thicker people) ½”-⅝” (Subq, up to personal preference)

From the diyhrt website. 1 inch is about 25 mm.

Size of the syringe

Your syringe should be a 1 ml syringe if possible (makes it easier to get a more precise dosage).

Addressing concerns

Accidentally injecting into a vein

If you are injecting into the recommended areas you will not be hitting any large veins, nor are the effects of accidentally injecting into a vein all that troublesome, even if you inject a bit of air. Your shot is mostly wasted if you do manage to inject into a vein (which is very unlikely). Some people recommend aspirating to avoid this happening (pull the needle back a bit after sticking the needle in but before injecting. If you see blood then replace the needle and try again), but it's not strictly necessary.

Missing a day, doing an injection a day early

This is usually fine for most types of hormone injections. Resume your regular schedule.

I injected too much

If you injected something like twice as much as needed then just continue taking shots at a regular interval. If you injected something like 10 times as much as needed you might feel some discomfort during the next month, but nothing you can't handle. Just wait three or four weeks and continue like normal after that. Doing this accidentally isn't an issue, even if not recommended.

I injected too little

If you were off by some tiny margin then you likely won't even notice on a blood test that you were off. If you were off by something like half or more then maybe try another injection, but with a smaller dose. Don't do another full injection.

Nervousness

It's okay if you struggle with your injection. It's okay if you're nervous and shaky. It's okay if you can't do it. Maybe you can have someone there with you, be it physically or over voice. Maybe you just need to try again some other day when you are in a different state of mind.

Things to keep in mind

If some blood comes out, that's fine. If some other liquid comes out, that's also fine. Maybe have some paper or bandaids handy in case you tend to bleed after your injections. Don't inject into the same area each time, instead rotate between a few areas to avoid buildup of scar tissue.

It's okay. You did good <3

Even if you messed up a few times, wasted some ester or syringes, or you injected a bit too much or too little, it's okay, don't worry.

For some reason EU-Aibolit is neither listed on diyhrt.market and hrtcafe.net. hrt.coffee still lists them, but is notoriously outdated, so I would not normally recommend to look there. In any case, when I wanted to start DIY in January of this year, an acquaintance of mine recommended them to me and I decided to trust her judgement. I’ve since ordered three or four times with them and can only report positive experiences in that I got exactly what I ordered and considering that it seems to have worked, it’s also very unlikely that those things were forgeries, though I haven’t gotten those things lab-tested.

One thing to be aware of is that the primary way of ordering from them is by email, specifically euaibolit@gmail.com and telling them what you need there. They are generally very responsive, but keep in mind that gmail is an asshole about declaring many mails not sent via them or microsoft as spam (very clearly this is not about spam but to further consolidate mail with them!), so be aware of that when you sent from a different address.

(They also have a website and you can find their offers there if you know exactly what you are looking for, but I found it much easier to tell them by mail that I’m trans in which case they sent you the list with the stuff that is relevant to you, and was just a much more pleasant experience.)

With that out of the way, a short report on my last experience:

I sent them an email in late September and shortly after received a response with payment instructions. After I payed via wire-transfer in very early October I received a shipping code on the next day. Shipping took a while because it was done via Czech post who took their time to bring it to the Netherlands where it arrive 1-2 weeks afterwards at my employer. (it took a little bit longer for the package to make it from there to me, but is really not their fault.)

The one minor thing to mention is that they clearly keep the mail addresses of the people that ordered from them, because they did send an unrequested advertisement for some websites that they are now running (order by Email still works however). Keep this in mind if you consider this an unacceptable risk. (Personally I am very outspoken about having done DIY until I received my official prescription, even with my full name attached to it, so my only concern would be actual spam on the address, but so far that hasn’t happened.)

In short: Aibolit still seems to be fine for within-EU orders if you want to pay by wire transfer.

This is a safe space for all those that need advice on HRT, trans or not!

We run a similar room on matrix, but decided that there should be a more public and accessible HRT community here on lemmy as well.