\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Testosterone injection is used in men and boys to treat conditions caused by a lack of this hormone, such as delayed puberty, impotence, or other hormonal imbalances. Medically reviewed by Kaci Durbin, MD. These include: When a person receives a testosterone injection, the hormone directly enters the body through the muscle. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. As with any subcutaneous injection, care must be taken to ensure testosterone is administered safely with a minimal risk of infection. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. What special precautions should I follow? Chest pain. As for muscle maintenance, testosterone therapy has been found to help increase muscle mass, but not strength. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your testosterone levels to see if they are low before you begin to use testosterone injection. In other words, pick a site either in the top left corner of the left glute or the top right corner of the right glute. Women should inform their care team if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Try not to miss a dose. Of course, keep all of your meds out of reach of little hands. However, this practice is still not well-studied, so many physicians advise against it. You can switch to a smaller needle to actually inject the testosterone. Testosterone therapy is becoming more common in the United States. You should not receive testosterone if you have prostate cancer, male breast cancer, a serious heart condition, or severe liver or kidney disease. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while . Testosterone can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. This is especially important with testosterone, which can be difficult to draw because it's so thick. Administering the Testosterone Injection: Step Number 4. Testosterone levels vary depending on a persons sex, age, and physical activity levels. Transgender men and nonbinary people may also use testosterone injections as part of masculinizing therapy. Of course, insurance coverage and cost plays a big role, too. An update on male hypogonadism therapy. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. The purpose of testosterone injections is to help regulate male hormone levels to help address problems related to low T. For men with low T, the benefits of these injections can include: Men generally have less body fat than women. Testosterone injections should be given only by a healthcare professional. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Learn about Teva sildenafil and how, A hydrocele is a sac filled with fluid that forms around a testicle. Some women receive testosterone as a treatment for androgen deficiency, which can occur after menopause. Dosage is adjusted according to the patient's response and the appearance of adverse reactions. heart problems, coronary artery disease (clogged arteries); an enlarged prostate and urination problems; depression, anxiety, a mood disorder, suicidal thoughts or actions; Using testosterone may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer, liver problems, or heart problems (including heart attack, stroke, or death). This list is not complete. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to care for the injection site post-injection, keep reading. Surampudi, P., Swerdloff, R. S., and Wang, C. (2014, June). Do not inject into an area where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard or where you have scars, tattoos, or stretch marks. Testosterone Cypionate. Common side effects (in men or women) may include: acne, increased facial or body hair growth, male-pattern baldness; high red blood cell counts (hematocrit or hemoglobin); increased PSA (prostate-specific antigen); or. Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, mouth, and throat. ~ 7 Days. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? You will know what to expect, and how to deal safely with it. They will need to check the level of testosterone in your blood. Learn more here. Before injecting the testosterone, wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Testosterone cypionate (Depo-Testosterone), testosterone enanthate (Xyosted, available generically), testosterone undecanoate (Aveed), and testosterone pellet (Testopel) are forms of testosterone injection used to treat symptoms of low testosterone in men who have hypogonadism (a condition in which the body does not produce enough natural testosterone). Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. With low T, youll likely notice an increase in body fat, especially around your midsection. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: chest pain; shortness of breath; pain in the arms, back, neck, or jaw; slow or difficult speech; dizziness or faintness; or weakness or numbness of an arm or leg. Any side effects of any drug are typically documented as a result of clinical trials and a patient's own experiences. You should not receive testosterone if you are allergic to it, or if you have: if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Once you're certain that testosterone therapy is appropriate and safe, reduce the risk of infection by washing your hands and putting on clean gloves. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event, Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, An unusual or allergic reaction to testosterone, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives, If a female partner is pregnant or trying to get pregnant, Medications that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, Steroid medications like prednisone or cortisone, Allergic reactionsskin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, Blood clotpain, swelling, or warmth in the leg, shortness of breath, chest pain, Heart attackpain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded, Liver injuryright upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue, Sleep apnealoud snoring, gasping during sleep, daytime sleepiness, Strokesudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision, Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression, Pain, redness, or irritation at the application site. Testosterone injections have also been linked to a condition called pulmonary oil microembolism (POME), or a blood clot in the lung that can be fatal. AHFS Patient Medication Information. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Hold the syringe with its needle uncapped and pointing up in front of you. Low sperm count is a common side effect of low T. This problem can make it difficult if you and your partner are trying to get pregnant. Should I worry if there is redness around the injection site? Talk to your care team about the risks and benefits of this medication. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Low testosterone can have negative effects. You will likely need extra monitoring from your doctor if you have heart disease, sleep apnea, or a high red blood cell count. Testosterone therapy allows people to develop a more masculine appearance. Call your doctor at once if you have: chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder; shortness of breath, breathing problems at night (sleep apnea); swelling in your ankles or feet, rapid weight gain; increased or ongoing erection of the penis, ejaculation problems, decreased amounts of semen, decrease in testicle size; painful or difficult urination, increased urination at night, loss of bladder control; high levels of calcium in the blood--stomach pain, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle pain or weakness, joint pain, confusion, and feeling tired or restless; or. Testosterone injection works by supplying synthetic testosterone to replace the testosterone that is normally produced naturally in the body. An intramuscular (IM) injection, (illustration on right) Research has not supported their use for other signs and symptoms that people may experience after menopause, which include anxiety, mood changes, weight gain, and reduced bone density. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. If you have used too much testosterone, stopping the medicine may caused unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, such as depression, tiredness, irritability, loss of appetite, sleep problems, or decreased libido. Follow the directions for the product you are prescribed. reactions at the site of the injection . Do not let anyone else use your testosterone enanthate injection (Xyosted). Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Testosterone therapy doesnt cure the cause of low T, it just raises testosterone levels up to a normal range. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Copyright 2023 Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. ", didn't manage to accomplish the objective. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. The hormone affects several other factors in your health, including body fat, muscle mass, bone density, red blood cell count, and mood. Talk with your care team about your birth control options while taking this medication. This medicine can harm an unborn baby. Testosterone therapy can itself lead to reduced sperm counts, especially at high doses. Do not refrigerate or freeze. What is testosterone injection? It's not painless, "The details were quite helpful, as well as the recommendation for massaging the site to spread the liquid. Drug class: androgens and anabolic steroids. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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