Pills, patches, pellets?

[Sheila6830]

Ok - does anyone use the pellets for menopause? I have to use 2 forms of estrogen delivery in order to keep my estrogen high enough and keep my IC symptoms away.

I use the Femring, but it isn't enough. I need more systemic estrogen so I've been getting the hormone pellets inserted, but they tend to poop out after 10 weeks (not 12 or more), so it gets expensive.

I have been told to go for a method that avoids the liver and use creams, patches, pellets, etc. I am wondering if patches and pellets are safer than plain old estradiol pills? Don't know. I know the estradiol pills are cheapest.

Any thoughts?

[sami4]

I have used all three types of delivery. I like pellets but as you say they do poop out after about 10 weeks and just fall off suddenly. I can get a high base level (200-350) with a topical cream taken twice a day, dose total is 2.5 mg a day taken in 1.25 twice a day. You need to do topicals twice a day as they fall off after 8-10 hours. I also need to keep my level high or I get VV symptoms. No matter what your blood estrogen most women still need vaginal I take 1mg vaginal three times a week. I usually use a testosterone pellet as they seem to last longer for me about 5 months along with the topical estrogen and vaginal estrogen.
I have used 1 mg estradiol patches, but coudnt get a serum level that was much better than no estrogen. I would have to use two patches to get anywhere near what I need and insurance wouldnt pay for that. Also the patches needed to be changed way before they said, it was a problem.
You might check with a compounding pharmacy such as Womens International that ships all over the world, based in Phoenix and Minnesota and ask them what types they compound. I know they do trouches, micronized oral, cream, gel and can combine hormones. They have a lady that will tell you just what can be done. Its a good educational experience.

[Sheila6830]

Thanks Sami. I know I have to stick with the Femring because it really seems to help. I with you on the patches, I has the same problems. At this point the compounded creams would be just as expensive as the pellets for me due to insurance.

The cheapest option is the estradiol pill for me (generic and cheap), but I just worry that it is not as safe as the pellets. Its so hard to know. I like the convenience of the pellets but it is expensive.

I wasn't sure if it was true that pellets are safer than the pills. I've always been told that pills have to go through the liver and I'm guessing that the pellets don't?

I do know that if I keep my estrogen level up my bladder doesn't hurt. So, for my sanity and pain level, I may have to stick with the pellets.