Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: kody2011 on April 30, 2009, 01:58:52 PM

Title: injections
Post by: kody2011 on April 30, 2009, 01:58:52 PM
how often do you have to inject the T?
Title: Re: injections
Post by: Mister on April 30, 2009, 02:27:39 PM
Some inject biweekly.  Some inject weekly.  Some inject every ten days.  A good friend injects every 3 weeks.

It all comes down to personal preference, really.  Whatever keeps your levels (and your mood) stable.
Title: Re: injections
Post by: myles on April 30, 2009, 04:45:35 PM
Basically what Mister said everyone is different. I inject weekly.
Myles
Title: Re: injections
Post by: Flameboy on May 04, 2009, 02:13:33 PM
It also depends on what strength the T is. Over here, the main form of T used to be available in 2 strengths, 100 and 250. Obviously, those on 250 injected much les frequently than those on 100. I'm now on another type which is slow release, so after the initial loading phase where it's 6 weekly, it's injected every 10-14 weeks, depending on blood test results. In my expeience, blood tests are generally done after about 3 months on T, with a peak and a trough level being taken - the peak is taken 1 week after the injection, and the trough is taken on the day of the injection immediately before it. Obviously this is for those injecting less frequently than weekly, otherwise that wouldn't work!

:)
Title: Re: injections
Post by: badpagirl on June 16, 2009, 04:34:31 AM
are these injections safe? what are the side effects?

im planning to have an injection too. but im afraid its not safe...
 
Title: Re: injections
Post by: Jamie-o on June 16, 2009, 08:13:27 AM
If you hit an artery there is the possibility of heart attack or stroke.  But hitting an artery is very unlikely, and if you aspirate you will know that you have before you actually push in the plunger.  Bruising is common.  Abscesses are fairly rare, but not unheard of.  Infections and blood poisoning are possible, but again, there are precautions to take against that.  Some people have allergic reactions to the oil used to carry the hormones.    Hmmm.  Am I missing anything? 

The difference is, if you follow the correct procedure, the likelihood of having problems with injections is pretty low.  Whereas, oral hormones, for instance, have a very high likelihood of liver damage, over time.

And to answer the OP's question, I chose to do mine weekly in order to lessen the hormonal roller coaster effect.  YMMV.
Title: Re: injections
Post by: Mister on June 16, 2009, 10:14:10 AM
Quote from: Jamie-o on June 16, 2009, 08:13:27 AM
If you hit an artery there is the possibility of heart attack or stroke.  But hitting an artery is very unlikely, and if you aspirate you will know that you have before you actually push in the plunger.  Bruising is common.  Abscesses are fairly rare, but not unheard of.  Infections and blood poisoning are possible, but again, there are precautions to take against that.  Some people have allergic reactions to the oil used to carry the hormones.    Hmmm.  Am I missing anything? 

The difference is, if you follow the correct procedure, the likelihood of having problems with injections is pretty low.  Whereas, oral hormones, for instance, have a very high likelihood of liver damage, over time.

And to answer the OP's question, I chose to do mine weekly in order to lessen the hormonal roller coaster effect.  YMMV.

Aspiration has been ruled unnecessary years ago by the World Health Organization.
Title: Re: injections
Post by: Ender on June 16, 2009, 03:54:02 PM
Yeah, what Mister said about the dosing schedule; it varies.

I inject every week.  I've not experienced any extreme variations in mood with this shot cycle.