Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Determining whether testosterone therapy is appropriate
• Part 2 of 2: Giving a testosterone injection
• Tips
• Warnings

Testosterone is a hormone that is produced in the testicles in men and in the ovaries in women. Men have an average of 7-8 times more testosterone in their blood than women. Although the body makes this hormone naturally, it is sometimes given artificially to treat certain medical conditions. As with subcutaneous injections, care must be taken to ensure that testosterone is administered safely and with minimal risk of infection.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Determining whether testosterone therapy is appropriate

1. Know when and why testosterone has been prescribed. Testosterone treatments are used in a variety of medical conditions. Testosterone is generally prescribed to treat "hypogonadism" in men - a condition that develops when the testes are not working properly. However, this is by no means the only reason anyone would want testosterone. Below are a few more reasons:
   • Testosterone is sometimes prescribed to transgender people as part of hiring and transitioning into their gender.
   • Some women receive testosterone as a treatment for androgen deficiency, which can occur after menopause. The most common symptom of androgen deficiency is decreased libido.
   • Finally, some men want to be treated with testosterone to counteract the normal effects of reduced testosterone production as a result of aging. However, this has not yet been thoroughly researched, so many doctors advocate and advise against this. Some studies that have been "done" give divergent results.
2. Be aware of alternative delivery methods. An injection is often used to deliver testosterone to a patient. But there are in fact a variety of alternative delivery methods for getting testosterone into the body, some of which may be preferable for certain patients. These include:
   • Gel or cream
   • Patches (just like nicotine patches)
   • Oral tablets
   • Mucoadhesive tablets for the teeth
   • Testosterone stick (applied under the arm like a deodorant)
   • Subcutaneous implant
3. Know when not to administer testosterone. Since testosterone is a hormone that can cause significant changes in your body, it has been known to worsen some medical conditions. Testosterone serves not to be administered if a patient suffers from prostate or breast cancer. Anyone considering testosterone treatment should undergo a prostate examination before and after therapy and screened for prostate-specific antigens (PSA), so that prostate cancer is and remains excluded.
4. Understand the Side Effects of Testosterone Therapy. Testosterone is a pretty powerful hormone. Even when used safely under a doctor's supervision, it can have significant side effects. The most common side effects of testosterone treatment are:
   • Acne and / or oily skin
   • Retaining moisture
   • Stimulation of prostate tissue, which can cause decreased urine flow and frequency
   • Breast tissue development
   • Worsening of sleep apnea
   • Shrinking of the testicles
   • Reduced sperm density / infertility
   • Increase in the number of red blood cells
   • Change in cholesterol level
5. Consult with a doctor. As with other serious medical treatments, the decision to undergo testosterone treatment should not be taken lightly. Before proceeding, ask your doctor - he or she can help you determine your condition and your goals so that you can determine if testosterone is or could be the solution for you.

Part 2 of 2: Giving a testosterone injection

1. Determine the concentration of your testosterone. Injectable testosterone generally comes in the form of testosterone cypionate or testosterone enanthate. These fluids come in different concentrations, so it is very important before an injection is given to make sure that the intended dose will also take into account the concentration of the testosterone serum. Testosterone usually comes in a concentration of either 100 mg / mL or 200 mg / mL. Some doses of testosterone are, in other words two times more focused than others. Before giving an injection, double check your testosterone to make sure you have the dose that matches the concentration you have chosen.
2. Use a sterile, suitable needle and syringe. As with all injections, it is with the administration of testosterone unbelievable important to use a sterile, never-used needle. Dirty needles can spread deadly blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis and HIV. Use a clean, sealed needle with a cap on each time you give a testosterone injection.
   • Another thing to consider is the fact that compared to other injectable medications, testosterone is quite viscous and oily. That is why you should initially use a thicker needle than normal to draw up your dose (for example, an 18 or 20 gauge). Thick needles are quite painful, so when you actually start giving the injection, you usually replace the thicker needle with a thinner one.
   • 3-mL (cc) syringes are large enough for most testosterone doses.
   • If you drop a syringe or needle, throw it away immediately. Do not use it anymore as it is no longer sterile.
3. Wash your hands and put on clean gloves. To reduce the risk of infection, it is important to keep your hands clean when giving an injection. Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and water, then put on clean gloves. If you accidentally touch uncleaned items or surfaces before giving an injection, replace your gloves as a precaution.
4. Withdraw a dose. Your doctor has given you the recommended dose - determine the volume of the dose in relation to the concentration of your testosterone. For example, if your doctor recommends a dose of 100 mg, you will need 1 ml of a 100 mg / mL testosterone solution or ½ mL of a 200 mg / mL solution. To increase your dose, first draw as much air into the syringe as the volume of the dose. Then clean the top of the medication vial with an alcohol swab, insert your needle through the cap into the medication and push the air from the syringe into the vial. Invert the bottle and pull out the exact dose of testosterone.
   • By injecting air into the bottle, you increase the internal air pressure, making it easier to draw the medicine into the syringe. This is especially important with testosterone, because it is often difficult to pull up due to its thickness.
5. Replace the needle with a thinner one. Thick needles hurt a lot. There is no reason to expose yourself to that extra pain, especially if you are on a program of frequent injections. When you are done drawing up the dose, to put on a thinner needle, remove the needle from the bottle and hold it in front of you with the tip pointing up. Draw in a little air - to make room between the medicine and the top of the syringe so you don't spill anything. With the (washed and treating) hand that is not holding the syringe, carefully put the cap back on the needle and unscrew it. Then replace with a thinner needle (such as a 23-gauge).
   • Make sure that this second needle is also sterile and sealed.
6. Aspirate the syringe. Injecting air bubbles into a person's body can cause a serious medical condition, which is embolism is called. That is why it is very important to make sure that there is no air in the syringe when you inject the testosterone. Do this with a process that aspiration is called. See below for instructions:
   • Hold the syringe with the uncovered needle with the tip up in front of you.
   • Look for air bubbles in the syringe. Tap the side of the syringe to make any bubbles rise to the top.
   • Once the dose is free of bubbles, push the plunger to force the air out of the top of the syringe. Stop as soon as you see a small drop of medicine coming out of the tip of the syringe. Be careful not to squirt some of your dose on the floor.
7. Prepare the site to be injected. Testosterone injections are usually administered intramuscularly, i.e. directly into the muscle. Two relatively easy and accessible sites for intramuscular injections are the vastus lateralis (the upper outer thigh) or the gluteus (the upper back of the thigh, i.e. the buttock area). These are not the only places where testosterone can be injected, but they are the most commonly used. Whichever site you choose, take a sterile alcohol swab and wipe the area where you are going to inject. This kills the bacteria on the skin and prevents infection.
   • If you're injecting into the gluteus, pick a spot on the top outside of the muscle. In other words, take a spot in the top left corner of the left gluteus or the top right corner of the right gluteus. This is where you have the best access to muscle tissue and avoid touching nerves or blood vessels in other parts of the gluteus.
8. Inject. Hold the filled syringe like a dart at a 90 degree angle over the sterile injection site. Stick it into the meat with a quick, steady motion. Before pushing it in, pull the plunger back slightly. If you draw blood into the syringe, remove the needle and change the site, as this means you have hit a blood vessel. Inject the medicine at a regular, controlled pace.
   • You may experience a little discomfort, pressure, a stinging or burning sensation. This is normal. If it gets bad or if you experience stabbing pain, stop immediately and contact a doctor.
9. Also take care of the injection site after the injection. Once you've pushed the plunger all the way in, pull the needle out. Check the puncture hole for bleeding and apply a plaster or cotton ball if necessary. Put the used needle and syringe in an appropriate container for injection material.
   • If you don't have an injection material container, find a sturdy, needle-resistant container, such as a detergent bottle. Make sure the cap is on tight. Take the storage bin with you to your doctor or to the pharmacy so that it can be properly disposed of there.
   • If there is any redness, swelling, or severe discomfort at the injection site after an injection, see a doctor right away.

Tips

• Make sure to use a large needle to withdraw the medication. You can switch to a thinner needle for actually injecting the testosterone.
• The smaller the gauge-The thicker the needle's designation is… for example, an 18 gauge needle is thicker than a 25.
• You can also use an insulin syringe to inject, as the size of the needle does not matter. The oil is not so thick that it will not come out, but it is more difficult and sometimes more time consuming than using a smaller needle.
• There are also different needle lengths. The most commonly used are 2.5 cm and 3.5 cm. If you are taller you use 3.5 and if you don't have much meat on the bones you use 2.5.
• After you get the injection, rub in a circular motion to make the medicine flow more efficiently and to avoid swelling and tenderness.

Warnings

• Always keep your medicines at the prescribed temperature and always check the expiration date on the bottle. If it has expired, you shouldn't use it.
• Of course you keep your medicines away from little hands.
• Change never your dosage without talking to your doctor.