@nev Estradiol is usually prescribed for trans women as pills. I don't know what the situation is re. prescription costs in the US.
In Britain, it's prescribed on the NHS but only after a significant waiting period (in excess of three years for an appointment, plus a couple of years after that, plus you've got to be considered 'trans enough' by the medical system).
Many, many, many people here resort to buying from suspect websites that supply hormones prescription free at a high price.