Does anyone administer their own goserelin injections?

[kira21 ♡♡♡]

Hiya,

Does anyone administer their own goserelin injections? I know diabetics inject themselves and so do people on T.

Thanks :-)

Kira

[Jessica Merriman]

It is not a part of your HRT is it? Goserelin stops "T" in men, but can do the same to "E" in transgirls.

As far as the original question the only form I am familiar with are the implants of Goserelin. I need more info, but if it comes in injectable form it should not be very hard. Either thigh or glute muscle will work fine. If it is sub q piece of cake. 

[RosieD]

Jessica, I thought gosrelin deactivated the gonads so halts testosterone production for those with their gonads on the outside and oestrogen for those with them on the inside?

Anyhow, I've also only seen it as an implant, I get my next 12 week dose next week. If it is the implant then the best way to administer it is carefully!

Rosie

[Jessica Merriman]

Jessica, I thought gosrelin deactivated the gonads so halts testosterone production for those with their gonads on the outside and oestrogen for those with them on the inside?

Anyhow, I've also only seen it as an implant, I get my next 12 week dose next week. If it is the implant then the best way to administer it is carefully!

Technically yes it does. It just has not been really studied that much in MtF trans patients. No one I personally know is on it except for cis people. Maybe a study is needed.

Implants are not DIY though. It requires making an incision and them suturing it up. I doubt any doctor would allow DIY. 

[Jessica Merriman]

Here is a quote and a link.


http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/757128_3

Less frequently used, flutamide inhibits androgen binding but has not been shown to lower serum testosterone levels, is associated with liver toxicity, and has not demonstrated efficacy in MtF patients.[1] Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists given with estrogen also are infrequently used for the treatment of MtF transition. One report of 60 MtF transsexual patients treated with subcutaneous injections of goserelin acetate every 4 weeks along with oral 17β-estradiol for 24 months found this regimen to be effective in reducing testosterone levels, with a low rate of adverse events.[12] The physical change of breast development was also assessed; however, 70% of study subjects were dissatisfied with the degree of development and sought breast augmentation. As with estrogen therapy, doses of goserelin are titrated based on laboratory response and markers of feminization.

[Delsorou]

Goserelin would inhibit natural gonadal sex hormone production of any kind by acting on the pituitary to interrupt the feedback loop.

In trans patients it is primarily used to delay puberty, as far as I know.  I have never heard of it being used in a full contra HRT regimen before.  Kind of interesting, now I want to research its use more.

[kira21 ♡♡♡]

They use it as the anti-androgen of choice in the UK for all MTFs. Its more expensive but cleaner they say. The fact it halts T and E does not matter so much if you are taking E patches or tablets.

[Delsorou]

They use it as the anti-androgen of choice in the UK for all MTFs. Its more expensive but cleaner they say. The fact it halts T and E does not matter so much if you are taking E patches or tablets.

Interesting.  I have to agree with that sentiment - neither spiro nor cyproterone are particularly 'clean' as far as side effects go.  This would have the same effect as very high dose estrogen, but without the requirement of a super high dose.

Here in the states, things that work better but cost more money get paid for out of pocket, so... yeah... 

EDIT: To answer your actual question - I do self inject IM estradiol valerate and Progesterone.  These are both pretty thick and require a bigger, longer needle... it took me a long time to be able to do it without freaking out that I was going to do it wrong.  Now I just stick it in slowly and steadily, hit the plunger, and pull it out.  (insert joke here...)  Usually doesn't even hurt.  It's not a super big deal with practice.  Should be super easy with a lighter liquid.

[kira21 ♡♡♡]

The goserelin needle is pretty big...

[RosieD]

As Kira says, it is the testosterone mangler of choice in the UK. I have been prescribed it since August last year and it drops testosterone levels to very nearly zero. Though it is subcutaneous it is administered through a large, hollow needle using a spring loaded dispenser. No incision is necessary.

Rosie