cw: injections, needles
@ transfems on injectable estrogen! this information is probably out there in certain places but I know that finding specific advice about hormones in general can be challenging.. so without giving many specifics (i am absolutely not a medical professional) I just want to say that if you’re having trouble with doing your injections because of a fear/stress around needles it’s worth exploring sizing down!! from what I gather, doctors might try to start you on a larger needle so that it’s easier to press the plunger in - and if you don’t tell them it’s painful or distressing, there’s typically no reason for them to suggest it themselves. likewise, diy’ers might have inherited some of this info and it can be worth checking in with others in your circles to see what different people are using.
The drawback to using smaller needles is usually that it can take longer to push the medication through the needle, but this can also be helped by using a smaller syringe, if your dose allows it (i.e., a 1mL dose might not need a 3mL syringe if a 1mL syringe is an option). In my experience so far, a smaller needle allows me to stay focused and panic less so the added time hasn’t been an issue.
anyway I wanted to post this because despite a lot of digging I’ve always had trouble finding info like this. I advise doing your own research and/or checking in with a professional before making any changes. Because I am lucky enough to be able to discuss with my doctor after finding advice from other trans women online, I didn’t have to do much of my own research to get here. As a result, I don’t know if there are other complicating factors that could be a potential risk for you! if you’d like to know what I’ve used, dm me! and please feel free to add your own research, experience, etc
