This requires some dexterity to twist the needle on and off of the syringe, but creates a tight connection between the two. You can buy needles and syringes separately! We can prescribe syringes and needles, but often pharmacies don’t have the the matching styles and sizes, or will only dispense one or two. Insulin syringe to draw and inject - same needle Over time, people learn how the medication behaves and which connection type gives them the most confidence during preparation. A Luer Lock offers a firm, locked connection that resists movement, making it ideal for injections where a steady grip is important. The smooth connection encourages a gentle approach and eliminates the twisting motion required in Luer Lock syringes.
Most syringes include incremental hash marks between larger, numbered ones. Injection supply kits can be obtained at any Planned Parenthood of Michigan health center if you are prescribed injectable hormone medication by PPMI. If you need more information about purchasing injection supplies, this information may be helpful. The label may be on the box or packaging, or the medication vial itself.
Estradiol cypionate and testosterone cypionate are suspended in cottonseed oil. A smaller needle also means less tissue damage and less scarring over time. Here’s one mL of olive oil in a teaspoon next to 1mL of olive oil in a 1mL syringe. Syringes should have measurement markers on the outside of the syringe and be labeled with how much total volume the syringe can hold.
Here’s a syringe with 0.125mL of olive oil drawn up. We like a 21g one to 1.5″ needle to draw, and a 25g 5/8″ needle to inject. The gauge system used for hypodermic needles was originally developed for wire. For the most precise dosing, your injection needle should be as short in length and as small in diameter as is comfortable and efficient for your use. You can practice drawing up fluids, and injecting using cooking oil and an orange.
A comfortable and reliable connection is essential for creating a calm and gentle injection ritual. The difference between Luer Lock and Slip Tip syringes for TRT is something many people do not fully understand when they first begin exploring testosterone therapy. The volume of medication prescribed accounts for "loss" in the syringe tip and needle. A 1-inch or ⅝-inch needle can be inserted through the skin and into the underlying fatty tissue for SC injections.
Two common volumes prescribed for hormones are 0.15 mL and 0.4 mL, shown in both 1 mL and 3 mL syringes. As a result, or by preference, people may choose to purchase syringes over the counter or online. Watch our instructional injection videos to learn more about the recommended techniques for IM and SC injections. In an intramuscular (IM) injection, the needle is passed through the skin, all the way through the fatty tissue, and into the muscle underneath the fatty tissue. A subcutaneous (SC) injection sends the medication being injected into the fatty tissue under the skin. This label also contains important information about whether the vial is intended for single-use (where the vial is used for one injection and extra medicine is thrown away) or whether the vial can be used for multiple doses (multiuse, or multi-dose).
But I’ve read on here to use 18 gauge for siphoning testosterone out of the bottle and switching to 27g - 31g needles for injecting to minimize pain and damage / scar tissue. If the volume of your injection is very small, it might be easier to draw up a dose this small using an 0.3mL or 0.5mL syringe. This makes many people feel calmer and more grounded during injections. A secure syringe connection ensures that the needle does not loosen as the medication is drawn into the barrel. Slip Tip syringes offer a gentler visual appearance and a softer physical feel, which some people prefer. Because testosterone is naturally thicker than many other medications, a secure connection can make preparation feel more predictable and gentle. For people doing weekly injections, this means a multiuse vial can be used for 4 injections over the course of 4 weeks.