Testosterone is a hormone that is secreted by the testes in men and by the ovaries in women. Men have about 7-8 times higher levels of it than women in their bloodstream. Although the body naturally produces this hormone, it is sometimes necessary to artificially administer it to treat certain conditions. Like any subcutaneous injection, testosterone injection must be performed respecting all safety and hygiene rules to minimize the risk of infection. Keep reading.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Deciding if Testosterone Therapy is Appropriate
Step 1. Know when and why testosterone is prescribed
There are many clinical situations in which this therapy is necessary, one is hypogonadism that develops in men when the testicles do not function properly. However, it is not the only reason for injecting testosterone. Here are some of them:
- It is sometimes prescribed to transsexuals as an integral therapy for sex change.
- Some women are treated with testosterone due to an androgen deficiency, for example after menopause. One of the typical symptoms of androgen deficiency is decreased libido.
- Finally, some men use it to manage the normal effects of the decrease in testosterone production that occurs with age. However, this practice is not yet well studied and many doctors advise against it. The studies that have been conducted have yielded mixed results.
Step 2. Know what alternative administration techniques are
Injections are the most used, but they are not the only modality; there are other solutions that in some cases are to be preferred based on the general conditions of the patients. Here are what they are:
- Topical gels or creams;
-
Patches (similar to those of nicotine);
Give a Shot of Testosterone Step 2Bullet2 - Tablets to be taken orally;
- Mucus-adhesives for applying to teeth;
- Testosterone stick (which is applied under the armpits as a deodorant);
- Subcutaneous implants.
Step 3. Be aware of when testosterone should not be taken
Since it is a hormone that has a significant effect on body physiology, it can worsen various diseases. Testosterone should not be given if the patient has prostate or breast cancer. All patients who should / would like to undergo hormone therapy of this type should first perform screening to search for prostate specific antigen (PSA) and rule out the presence of a tumor.
Step 4. Recognize the side effects of therapy
Testosterone is a very powerful hormone, even if administered under strict medical supervision it can generate obvious side effects. Here are the most common:
- Acne and / or oily skin;
- Water retention;
- Stimulation of the prostate tissue which leads to a decrease in the frequency of urination and urine flow;
-
Breast tissue development;
Give a Shot of Testosterone Step 4Bullet4 - Worsening of sleep apnea;
- Contraction of the testicles;
- Decreased sperm concentration / infertility;
-
Increase in red blood cells;
Give a Shot of Testosterone Step 4Bullet8 - Change in cholesterol levels.
Step 5. Consult with a doctor
Like any serious therapy, the decision to take testosterone shouldn't be made lightly. Always ask your doctor's opinion before proceeding, so that he can help you assess your health condition and if hormone therapy is right for you.
Part 2 of 2: Get a Testosterone Injection
Step 1. Check the testosterone concentration in the prescribed product
Usually the injectable solutions are in the form of testosterone cypionate or enanthato. They exist in different concentrations, so before giving the injection, it is important to make sure by reading the label; solutions usually have a concentration of 100 mg / ml or 200 mg / ml. In other words, the second concentration contains twice as much testosterone as the first. Always double check to see what you are injecting.
Step 2. Use a suitable sterile needle and syringe
As with all injections it is absolutely important to use sterile and disposable instruments. Contaminated needles can spread deadly diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV. Use a clean, new, sealed needle with its cap on every time you need to give a testosterone injection.
- Another thing to consider is that injectable testosterone is rather viscous (like oil) compared to other solutions. Then you will need to use a slightly thicker needle than normal (an 18-20 gauge) to draw the liquid into the vial. However, thicker needles are also more painful, so you will need to replace it with a thinner one before giving the injection.
- A 3cc syringe is sufficient for most testosterone doses.
Step 3. Wash your hands and put on sterile gloves
To reduce the risk of infections, it is important that your hands are clean. Use antibacterial soap and water before putting on gloves. If you accidentally touch something or a non-sterile surface before giving the injection, change your gloves as a preventative measure.
Step 4. Draw in the dose
Your doctor will have prescribed the recommended dose for you, so determine the volume of liquid to inject based on the concentration. If, for example, your doctor recommends a 100 mg dose, you will need to inject 1 ml of testosterone solution at a concentration of 100 mg / ml or 0.5 ml of a concentrated solution at 200 mg / ml. To get the correct amount, first draw an equal volume of air into the syringe. Then clean the membrane of the vial with a disinfectant wipe and insert the needle. Push the air into the vial. Turn the vial upside down and let the exact amount of liquid enter the syringe.
This operation causes the pressure inside the vial to increase, making it easier to aspirate the solution. This is a very important step, especially with testosterone which is very viscous
Step 5. Change needle
Since the big one is quite painful, and there is no reason to suffer unnecessarily, it is better to replace it with a smaller one, especially if you have to do a lot of injections. Perform the change after having aspirated the dose of hormone: remove it from the vial and turn it upwards. Suck in some air so that the liquid does not escape from the syringe; with the other hand (washed and with the glove) put the cap back on the needle and remove it from its housing, engage the thinnest needle (like a 23 gauge).
Remember that the second needle must also be sterile and sealed
Step 6. Let the air out of the syringe
Injecting air into a person's body can cause a serious condition called embolism. So it is very important that there are no air bubbles in the syringe when you inject. Here's how to do it:
- Hold the syringe with the needle pointing upwards and without a cap.
- Check for air bubbles. Tap the edges of the syringe to make the bubbles rise upwards.
- When all the solution is free from bubbles, push the plunger to release the excess air. Stop when a small drop of solution comes out of the needle tip. Be careful not to waste too much medicine.
Step 7. Prepare the injection site
It is usually practiced intramuscularly. The points commonly chosen are the vastus lateral muscle (the upper and outer part of the thigh) or the gluteus. They are not the only places where testosterone can be injected, but they are the most common. Whichever spot you choose, take a disinfectant wipe and clean your skin. This way you kill bacteria and prevent infections.
If you have decided on the gluteus, inject into the upper and outer part of the muscle. In other words, punch in the upper right (for the right glute) or upper left (for the left glute). They are the best accesses to muscle tissue and allow you to avoid nerves and blood vessels
Step 8. Inject
Hold the syringe as if it were a dart, it must form a 90 ° angle with the injection site. Quickly prick the skin and penetrate the muscle. Suck slightly before pushing the plunger. If you see blood, remove the needle and change the injection site, because you hit a vein. Inject the solution in a continuous and controlled manner.
You may experience moderate pain, burning, or pressure, but this is normal
Step 9. Take care of the injection area
After completely administering the hormone, slowly remove the needle. Press and hold the skin with a sterile cotton ball so you will avoid stretching it and causing unnecessary pain. Check for bleeding and put on a patch. Dispose of the needle and syringe in the appropriate containers.
After the injection, if you experience redness, swelling or pain beyond a normal level, contact a doctor immediately
Advice
- Make sure you use a large needle to suck up the solution. Later you can change it to a thinner one.
- The smaller the gauge number, the greater the diameter of the needle, for example an 18 gauge needle is larger than a 25 gauge one.
- There are also differences in the length of the needles. The most common are 2.5cm and 3.7cm. If you are chubby, use the longer one.
- You can also use insulin syringes, testosterone is not so dense that it does not come out of the needle: it will only take a little longer.
- Do not use needles smaller than 23 gauge to inject, otherwise the testosterone will not come out of the syringe and may even push the plunger out and it would NOT be fun !!
Warnings
- Always store medications at the recommended temperature and always check expiration dates. If the drug has expired do not use it!
- Obviously, keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
- NEVER change the dosage without a doctor's advice.
