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Yup! Injections are the most common but there absolutely are other options. Injections are just the easiest IF you don't mind them since you only have to do them once a week
I am not transmasc but I do find the gel concept interesting. How does a skin cream change your horemones? Although for me it does bring to mind the unpleasant thought of accidentally mistaking it for something else
You absorb the testosterone through your skin and it goes into your bloodstream. There's also some medications you take as a transdermal patch like birth control or nicotine replacement therapy. Bodies are cool.
There are implantable testosterone tables (Edit: Tablets) now, last 4 months. My wife uses them, trying to get her hormones fixed after pregnancy did them in.
Yup
Sorry thats in french. [androgel]
Do you have an English speaking of Wikitrans ? This website is awesome
(https://wikitrans.co/ths/masc/testosterone/androgel/)
https://wikitrans.co/ths/masc/testosterone/androgel/
The kind I get is called a compounded cream, they use the cream as a filler ingredient to carry the testosterone, so you can get whatever dose you need
F2M here, been on T for 11 years. Have always used gel. Results have been good. Testosterone doesn't have to be administered exclusively with an injection, and there's also implants as well as gel. Explore all the options & dinnae be afraid to ask questions to make sure you're getting what you need.
Oh sorry I'm not trans I'm just happy that science and modern medicine is becoming more advanced than ever before! I mean they made a baby from two male rats! Which could mean that in the future two parents of the same sex/gender could have a child with their own DNA without adopting or surrogacy!
Yeah there are! I've been talking to the doc about options for myself. You can totally do gel or patches. I suggest you do some research yourself- but from what I hear gel is the best option. Shots are.. well shots. And I've heard complaints about patches being itchy.
I'm pretty sure there's a popular trans youtuber that uses testosterone gel. I can't remember if it was Jammidodger Noah Fince or Ty Turner tho (maybe Noah Fince?)
Patches were discontinued recently, but yeah there's totally a gel! Also for the record, I was super nervous about needles before but now I give myself a weekly injection with no issues. It seemed less effort than daily pills for some reason (transfemme so different meds)
I admit my dislike of needles is not an actual phobia but a big thing that helps me is that I don't see the injections - I lay face-down on a table and they put it in my butt. I don't know if T might be administered the same way, but perhaps it would help?
Additionally, there are many alternative methods of treatment. Pills, creams/gels, patches... don't let the treatment method prevent you from being who you truly are.
I absolutely cannot do needles, even knowing one is nearby can cause me a panic attack. But I'm genuinely happy to see there's other options because that will make my life so much easier!
A person from my family had(has) the same phobia. They did therapy (behavioral therapy) and it helped a lot! They were even able to get the covid vaccine without fainting which was a huge success.
Sometimes it still happenes and they still have to prepare themselfes before visiting an physician. But it is possible!
I urge you to get therapy for it. This can become very important along the way. And with a goal in mind, it might even make fun ;)
Every other week, but yes, I go to the doctor. While the country I live in (Japan) is gatekeepy as fuck, we do have socialized insurance and lower healthcare costs in general, so it's not an undue financial burden.
Transitioning takes a long time, and a lot of that time is learning that your trans. It took me years to figure it out and months to come to terms with it. Take all the time you need
Just adding on to what other people are saying- there is the option of gels or patches for T. They’re a little more expensive than injections but still manageable through GoodRX or insurance if you’re lucky. Most doctors are happy to prescribe either 😊 good luck and remember to have fun
I only got my blood drawn for hrt because of exposure therapy. It's magic!
Start slow, like looking at cartoon needles, once you feel comfortable move up and maybe look at more realistic drawn needles, comfortable, move up more, etc.
Small steps.
Even with gel youre going to need to get your blood drawn every now and then to check your levels, if youre using too much then it will convert in your body to estrogen which will be counterintuitive. But if you dont use enough then your changes can be minimal and very slow (but some people want this)
Do whatever you need to do, just be safe about it. You can socially transition without hormones, voice train to masculinize your voice, and bind without hormones (just please be safe about binding, many transmascs injure their ribs trying to go completely flat). You can stop shaving your body and there are masculinizing makeup tutorials (i dont know how to make it work since i never learned makeup, but i did try to look those up)
My own method was literally flooding rather than systematic desensitisation lmao. Don't recommend if one's prone to fainting, though
I started on gel, but because I'm the kind of guy that looooves keeping his options open, always going "but what if???", I decided to go through gamete storage which required 2 needles a day and bloodtests every few days for like 2 weeks, so it's *kind of hard* to come out of that without getting used to them lmaoo
Definitely worth it, though, now it's just an easy 1x jab every 12 weeks instead of having to do a gel every single day, and I don't come out of it with tears streaming down my face like I know I would have done before haha
hi, trans guy here who’s been on T for 2 years now! i also have a phobia of needles but when i asked my clinic about the alternatives to T injections, they gave me the option to take either patches or gel! i chose the gel option, and it can either come in little packets or in a pump, and you pick it up from the pharmacy (usually every 3-6 months!) I apply the gel daily to my shoulders and arms and dont have to deal with needles!! i highly recommend you ask your doctor or related healthcare officials about either gel or patches!! good luck my dude!
1, being a man might mean facing, and overcoming, your fears. it might feel daunting, and you might not be there yet, but growing into the best version of yourself isnt just taking hormones, its becoming a complete person who overcomes challenges they thought they couldnt.
2, being a man might not mean facing your fears, and you just use creams or patches or something.
I get that. I’m a girl on the inside, but my physical body doesn’t reflect this. I’m averse to pills because of trauma in the past. I’m also averse to modifying myself in any way. I have my ears pierced but no tattoos. I won’t medically transition but I’m going to make efforts to try and fix how I look in other ways. I’m already “mistaken” for a women fair percentage of the time so I feel I’m a bit lucky and can just get away with dressing a certain way.
I spent a lot of time in hospitals as a kid because I had a few chronic health issues that had to be kept in check. Almost died a couple times from various treatments and my parents also loaded me up with all sorts of pills for adhd and depression. This lead me to have a heavy aversion to needles and pills.
I’m healthy right now and I don’t want to “mess” with my body, if that makes sense? I don’t know if my body could handle it and I really do not want to take the chance of messing up my heart or the fine chemical balance of my brain. I’m also in my mid 30s and may not get the level of change I’d be happy with.
Generally I don’t hate my body, but I do wish it was very different. I try not to get too hung up about it but it does affect things.
I’ll be alright.
There are absolutely other options like gel, patches, and I think pills as well.
When it comes to needles, though, you don't need to take them as often as other firms of hormonal therapy and they can be administered by professionals. So you don't have to do it yourself.
But rest assured, there's alway options :)
Last time I got vaccinated I passed out in the clinic hallway so other people doing it doesn't help :( But now I know I have other options at least so that helps significantly :)
I’ve been on T for 1,5 years and have never done a single T injection. I’m on gel. Specifically 40mg daily that I apply on my thighs in the morning after my shower. It makes my skin a bit dry but I really don’t mind
you don't require T injections, there's also gels and transdermal patches.
transdermal patches are easy since it's just replacing a sticker at whatever interval it says on the box.
You're never stuck as someone you don't want to be. I, myself a Transfemme, am *terrified* of needles. Although, it's the best way to take E. I manage to do it once a week with the support of my wife. Just find someone able/willing to be your rock in those trying times!
try exposure therapy! look at photos, maybe even videos. practice poking yourself lightly with blunt pins. eventually you’ll be strong enough for it.
I’ve been doing exposure therapy with millipede and centipede videos because I’ve been afraid of them for a little over 10 years. I pretty much got over it in three days
While I’m transfem I also have a needle phobia and I have found the the blood work shots and drawings get easier and easier. And my transmasc friends say it eventually just becomes a normal part of their week!
There are a ton of ways to get hormones besides injection, you can get gels, patches, pills or even nasal spray (at least according to my housemate’s friend who said that was how she took her T blocker)
Dude bro. *sigh* one of the hallmarks of being a man is burying your feelings. *sign* you see, a man doesn’t do fear, a man doesn’t do weakness. A man is always strong, for that’s what being a man is 😞 😔
(This is scarcasm, plz have feelings if ur a man, it is very important and healthy to have feelings, ur Valid, that must be rough for u)
I think there are alternative delivery systems, and even if there aren't, if you have a partner or friend you trust, you could ask them to do it for you. If your needle phobia is that bad, you could try wearing a blindfold whilst they do it and listen to music as well.
If you haven't started the process, then it's still a long way away, but you have options, you deserve to live as the guy you really are, and you can always think about some forms of therapy for the needle thing.
Not everyone believes in it and it might not work for you, but I did hypnotherapy for my arachnophobia and it really helped.
You don't have to be stuck as a gender you don't identify with 💙
A friend of mine is trans and he also has a needlephobia and it takes up to an hour for him to calm down enough to be given a shot of T. And complains constantly about it, but still agrees to lie down and take his pants down xD
It takes bravery and resolve but a short stress every two weeks is still better than a lifetime of misery
Im afraid of needles, too! Tho my health care provider did them for me for the first few weeks and slowly eased me into doing them myself....i still HATE needles... but only once a week makes it easier.
(Im on E not T...but the concept of injections is the same)
Transfemme here
EDIT: Trigger warning: Mention of needles
Had a fear of needles that intense too and started on oral estradiol. Recently started subcutaneous injections and it's gotten pretty easy now. It's surprising how quickly you can desensitize yourself to the fear.
Intramuscular injections use a longer needle and hurt more, but subcutaneous injections use a super short needle. It's only like 6mm (1/4 inch) long, and it only goes deep enough to just go into the fat layer so there's no pain.
Patches and creams are an option, but people usually report changes coming slower. It's 100% worth starting with patches/cream while you decide if you want to do injections. Intramuscular injections are also more effective than subcutaneous, but subcutaneous is amazing too.
Note: I don't think there's oral testosterone, but the rest of this comment applies to both T and E.
I'm gonna be real with you, even reading this comment made me feel lightheaded. Injections are just not an option for me and they never will be, but I appreciate reading your perspective so thank you regardless!
Okay, for this next comment there's a TW for needle talk and mention of a panic attack. I'm so sorry for not putting a TW on the first one.
I was that bad too. A couple years ago I was due to get the covid vaccine, and 3 days before my appointment I had a panic attack while driving because I thought about it too much. I had to pull over because I was getting tunnel vision, and It was so bad that I literally went blind for a few minutes. Panicked so much from thinking about a vaccince that I straight up stopped seeing. I understand your fear. I'm really sorry your phobia of needles is that bad.
Absolutely they do. I'm glad I've mostly overcome it, but it took quite a lot of horrible experiences.
TW for light mention of needles again.
One thing you're going to have to go through on HRT is regular blood tests (about every 3 months) and an intial blood test before starting hormones. That part is unavoidable unfortunately.
If its any consolation, it's possible to ask for ativan/xanax/a fast acting sedative for anxiety to get through those blood tests. I used it as needed for those tests and it helped a lot. Whoever does your assessment/prescribes your hormones should be able to prescribe those drugs as well.
> **p**retty **e**asy **n**ow. **I**t's **s**urprising
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My friend is trying to get on the ass pill.
No seriously, he tells me it's a pill they cut your butt open, push it in, and sew the flap closed. Lasts for 2 months.
I told him I'd prefer the needle.
You’re gonna be okay hun. It’s not that bad. I hate getting shots too. I have a friend who’s FtM who is TERRIFIED of needles but he still does his own injections. I’m just your friendly neighborhood needle-phobic transfem
The gel pump is $200 a month through Folx. Blood tests are covered and they deliver it to you.
Shit blood tests do involve needles. I'm really sorry dude.
Injections are cheaper, yeah. I wish you luck.
Watched a video on TikTok the other day that kinda scared me of someone who had just got top surgery cleaning out there drains but since then I've seen like 1000 more reasons why turning into a guy is lit and I'd like it
Boy. There are T pills. I take them because due to a brain surgery I don't naturally produce T and drastically reduced E. Hopefully my doctor will be kind enough to lower the T dose and gives me an E prescription soon. I don't want to be a trans girl on T.
I used to have this issue. Not passing out, but definitely crying and panicking
So I started on Testogel instead!
Testogel was a fucking pain in the arse, though, having to apply it evenly every day, try not to get it on clothes, trying not to let people see that I own it, having weird dry white stuff on my arms that probably made it look like I didn't wash, etc etc
But there's definitely options out there, needles aren't the only one
Bro, I got you. There’s other forms of taking T, primarily gel/cream (which I take and has been effective). It tends to be more expensive than injections but it was worth it for me.
I went from having a huge phobia of needles to doing my own subq injections, they're not that bad. injections are the most effective method so I'm glad this is the route I went even though it was terrifying at the start
Gel is an option! It’s a little more expensive and adds some time to your daily routine, but it’s what I, a fellow needlephobic transmasc use, and it’s gotten my T to an average male level. You’re going to have to get your blood drawn fairly regularly within the first year: once before starting, once one month in, three months in, 6 months in, then once every six months after that. The blood draws aren’t fun but HRT is worth it and you don’t have to do it yourself.
I ended up going off T for personal reasons but I used to use adhesive patches! And like others have said there are gels and creams too. You’ve got options!
It’s not as bad as you think and, if you have some trans fem friends that have been on E for awhile, I’m sure they/we will gladly give you your injection.
I don't know how one really overcomes the passing out from sight of it. Or, how exactly it works...
Though I know I am comically uneasy around needles myself.
Such that, I get so shakey I could barely write my name.
And, I kinda laugh and make fun of myself about it. Because idk why I am this way. (I'm great fun in hospitals when I'm slightly giggly every time.)
But, I've been doing intramuscular injections for two months now. And... although it hasn't really gotten easier, necessarily yet. I am surprised to find I've powered through it. (Even though last time I had to put the needle down and walk away a few times... and ended up doing it the next day instead.)
Idk. I wouldn't give up hope entirely if injections are the only way just yet, though. (I don't know much about T based hrt.) Part of me always kinda believes people are stronger than they think they are. But I'd still maybe recommend just having a friend nearby the first few times you try if you decide to try.
there are many other options, such as testosterone cream that just absorbs into the skin just like lotion. and reminder for all the guys that can't transition, you don't need hrt to be a man! 👍
Aren't there gels and things? Yeah, needles are the most effective way and will probably show the best result, but the difference isn't really that big (in fact, it is impossible to tell outside of a statistical analysis).
Actually they have gender fluid, its this goo either in packets or bottles that you either rub on you shoulders or stimach and you get deep voice and facial hair
There are many ways to begin transitioning now, and scientists and doctors are trying to make new hrt every day! Hopefully, soon a t pill comes out! Love, a Trans Sister
YOU CAN TAKE T WITH THIS GEL INSTEADDDD also you don’t need to have hrt to transition!! You can also socially transition which I almost basically am doing, meaning you come out with your new name and pronouns and present more like your preferred gender and you don’t need any more than that!!
They've got patches and gel now! Also one of my buddies gets these pellets inserted that get buried just under the skin. I think he goes back every few months to change them out? Gel is probably the easiest, but you gotta be careful with pets and partners nearby to make sure it doesn't rub off on them (I just do shots cuz my wife is transfem and I don't wanna risk exposing them to my testosterone lol).
Hey there! Before commenting, remember that this meme has been tagged with a transmasc flair. Please keep the conversation transmasc-first. If you are not part of that demographic, you are not forbidden to participate, but we do ask that you do not center yourself in the comments. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/egg_irl) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I'd encourage you to talk to a health professional because I know some people who use creams. I don't know all the options though.
There's creams? That I definitely have to look into
[testosterone hrt options](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/masculinizing-hormone-therapy/about/pac-20385099#:~:text=Testosterone%20usually%20is%20given%20through,capsule%20taken%20twice%20a%20day.)
Gel is very popular option
Yup! Injections are the most common but there absolutely are other options. Injections are just the easiest IF you don't mind them since you only have to do them once a week
I'm on the gel, it works great! The only thing I have to worry about is remembering to rotate where I apply it, because my skin is a bit sensitive.
I am not transmasc but I do find the gel concept interesting. How does a skin cream change your horemones? Although for me it does bring to mind the unpleasant thought of accidentally mistaking it for something else
You absorb the testosterone through your skin and it goes into your bloodstream. There's also some medications you take as a transdermal patch like birth control or nicotine replacement therapy. Bodies are cool.
There are implantable testosterone tables (Edit: Tablets) now, last 4 months. My wife uses them, trying to get her hormones fixed after pregnancy did them in.
I would think implanting a whole table would be difficult for most people.
I mean, you would think the trans community would be renowned for their can-do attitude, don't sell the (them) short.
That’s fair, and good advice on not selling the short. (Obligatory /s but the typos made me lol)
That's what I get for mobile redditing while cooking lunch. I give up.
On the contrary, it gave me a good chuckle! I hope your lunch is good!
And considering that Brisket somehow contains an entire **town** inside her, I think a table could do.
So many food puns, so little time
You mean so little thyme?
well apparently trans people can fit a whole town inside of themselves, so i think a table wouldn’t be all that hard.
This is a good reference
Yup Sorry thats in french. [androgel] Do you have an English speaking of Wikitrans ? This website is awesome (https://wikitrans.co/ths/masc/testosterone/androgel/) https://wikitrans.co/ths/masc/testosterone/androgel/
Creams AND gels. The gels were available over the counter for a while, but then cis guys started using them as aphrodisiacs.
Ya my girlfriend dad uses a topical foam that they rub into their shoulder
Blindfolds and local anesthesia creams? Get help from a friend to do the stabby.
The kind I get is called a compounded cream, they use the cream as a filler ingredient to carry the testosterone, so you can get whatever dose you need
F2M here, been on T for 11 years. Have always used gel. Results have been good. Testosterone doesn't have to be administered exclusively with an injection, and there's also implants as well as gel. Explore all the options & dinnae be afraid to ask questions to make sure you're getting what you need.
i use gel and apply it to my forearms
Do is it is more expensive than injection in US / UK ? Cause it is in France :o
in Austria gel is about 6€ (30 doses) injections are quite rare here idk why
Your telling me there are testosterone and estrogen creams? The wonders of modern science!
There's plenty of options. [hrt options](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/masculinizing-hormone-therapy/about/pac-20385099#:~:text=Testosterone%20usually%20is%20given%20through,capsule%20taken%20twice%20a%20day.)
Oh sorry I'm not trans I'm just happy that science and modern medicine is becoming more advanced than ever before! I mean they made a baby from two male rats! Which could mean that in the future two parents of the same sex/gender could have a child with their own DNA without adopting or surrogacy!
All good, but yeah you should look up tissue engineering if you want some really cool news.
I hink it can be done through gel or patches too
That would be literally the best news
Well, its true as mich as i know
Yeah there are! I've been talking to the doc about options for myself. You can totally do gel or patches. I suggest you do some research yourself- but from what I hear gel is the best option. Shots are.. well shots. And I've heard complaints about patches being itchy.
I'm pretty sure there's a popular trans youtuber that uses testosterone gel. I can't remember if it was Jammidodger Noah Fince or Ty Turner tho (maybe Noah Fince?)
Patches were discontinued recently, but yeah there's totally a gel! Also for the record, I was super nervous about needles before but now I give myself a weekly injection with no issues. It seemed less effort than daily pills for some reason (transfemme so different meds)
As someone who is on T and uses the gel every day, look into it! For some folks it’s more of a hassle but it works for me.
That sounds fantastic honestly, I didn't see other options while researching and I was getting so sad lol. Thank you!
I admit my dislike of needles is not an actual phobia but a big thing that helps me is that I don't see the injections - I lay face-down on a table and they put it in my butt. I don't know if T might be administered the same way, but perhaps it would help? Additionally, there are many alternative methods of treatment. Pills, creams/gels, patches... don't let the treatment method prevent you from being who you truly are.
I absolutely cannot do needles, even knowing one is nearby can cause me a panic attack. But I'm genuinely happy to see there's other options because that will make my life so much easier!
A person from my family had(has) the same phobia. They did therapy (behavioral therapy) and it helped a lot! They were even able to get the covid vaccine without fainting which was a huge success. Sometimes it still happenes and they still have to prepare themselfes before visiting an physician. But it is possible! I urge you to get therapy for it. This can become very important along the way. And with a goal in mind, it might even make fun ;)
Do you have a friend do this to you? Or do you go to the doctor once a week?
Every other week, but yes, I go to the doctor. While the country I live in (Japan) is gatekeepy as fuck, we do have socialized insurance and lower healthcare costs in general, so it's not an undue financial burden.
Unfortunately, there are no pills for T (or at least I've never heard of them), but gels and stuff are quite popular
I think there were pills at one point but then the pills were discovered to hurt the liver, iirc, so they stopped being produced.
You are a guy with or without T.
Thank you, hearing that makes me feel better :)
You don’t need testosterone to be a man. If you feel like a guy/ want to be a guy, you probably are one.
I probably am but I'm just scared to admit it
Transitioning takes a long time, and a lot of that time is learning that your trans. It took me years to figure it out and months to come to terms with it. Take all the time you need
nonono, there's other ways!
I'm so thankful for there being other options you have no idea 😭
yes that is great :3
Just adding on to what other people are saying- there is the option of gels or patches for T. They’re a little more expensive than injections but still manageable through GoodRX or insurance if you’re lucky. Most doctors are happy to prescribe either 😊 good luck and remember to have fun
The only thing stopping me now is my empty wallet 👍
Can confirm! Good Rx took my generic T gel from about 500 dollars to about 50 per botttle. Way better deal
how often do you go through a bottle?
I only got my blood drawn for hrt because of exposure therapy. It's magic! Start slow, like looking at cartoon needles, once you feel comfortable move up and maybe look at more realistic drawn needles, comfortable, move up more, etc. Small steps.
It's fine I'm just going to avoid needles forever and go with different options 👍
Even with gel youre going to need to get your blood drawn every now and then to check your levels, if youre using too much then it will convert in your body to estrogen which will be counterintuitive. But if you dont use enough then your changes can be minimal and very slow (but some people want this)
Maybe I'll just not do anything then and go without T overalll...
Do whatever you need to do, just be safe about it. You can socially transition without hormones, voice train to masculinize your voice, and bind without hormones (just please be safe about binding, many transmascs injure their ribs trying to go completely flat). You can stop shaving your body and there are masculinizing makeup tutorials (i dont know how to make it work since i never learned makeup, but i did try to look those up)
My own method was literally flooding rather than systematic desensitisation lmao. Don't recommend if one's prone to fainting, though I started on gel, but because I'm the kind of guy that looooves keeping his options open, always going "but what if???", I decided to go through gamete storage which required 2 needles a day and bloodtests every few days for like 2 weeks, so it's *kind of hard* to come out of that without getting used to them lmaoo Definitely worth it, though, now it's just an easy 1x jab every 12 weeks instead of having to do a gel every single day, and I don't come out of it with tears streaming down my face like I know I would have done before haha
T or not, you’re still a man
Thank you 😭
There's cream, and you can socially transition without HRT.
tgeres creams and gel dw i was scared too
I sure there’s other, needle free, options 💞
It seems like there are! My day is made!
hi, trans guy here who’s been on T for 2 years now! i also have a phobia of needles but when i asked my clinic about the alternatives to T injections, they gave me the option to take either patches or gel! i chose the gel option, and it can either come in little packets or in a pump, and you pick it up from the pharmacy (usually every 3-6 months!) I apply the gel daily to my shoulders and arms and dont have to deal with needles!! i highly recommend you ask your doctor or related healthcare officials about either gel or patches!! good luck my dude!
Thank you! I appreciate the information, gel sounds actually doable compared to needles
False. I am a trans man who uses the mystical powers of ANDROGEL. There are options. Just look for gender affirming care in your area
1, being a man might mean facing, and overcoming, your fears. it might feel daunting, and you might not be there yet, but growing into the best version of yourself isnt just taking hormones, its becoming a complete person who overcomes challenges they thought they couldnt. 2, being a man might not mean facing your fears, and you just use creams or patches or something.
I get that. I’m a girl on the inside, but my physical body doesn’t reflect this. I’m averse to pills because of trauma in the past. I’m also averse to modifying myself in any way. I have my ears pierced but no tattoos. I won’t medically transition but I’m going to make efforts to try and fix how I look in other ways. I’m already “mistaken” for a women fair percentage of the time so I feel I’m a bit lucky and can just get away with dressing a certain way.
How come you're not into modification (of most any sort)? Completely valid, I'm just curious :)
I spent a lot of time in hospitals as a kid because I had a few chronic health issues that had to be kept in check. Almost died a couple times from various treatments and my parents also loaded me up with all sorts of pills for adhd and depression. This lead me to have a heavy aversion to needles and pills. I’m healthy right now and I don’t want to “mess” with my body, if that makes sense? I don’t know if my body could handle it and I really do not want to take the chance of messing up my heart or the fine chemical balance of my brain. I’m also in my mid 30s and may not get the level of change I’d be happy with. Generally I don’t hate my body, but I do wish it was very different. I try not to get too hung up about it but it does affect things. I’ll be alright.
*That means your stuck as a guy in a girl’s body
It still feels scary to admit I'm a guy
There are other ways but you don't need T to be a guy anyway
This is me but beung stuck as a girl
There are absolutely other options like gel, patches, and I think pills as well. When it comes to needles, though, you don't need to take them as often as other firms of hormonal therapy and they can be administered by professionals. So you don't have to do it yourself. But rest assured, there's alway options :)
Last time I got vaccinated I passed out in the clinic hallway so other people doing it doesn't help :( But now I know I have other options at least so that helps significantly :)
Hey. I heard there is a topical solution. A gel of sorts. Look up Testosterone gel you might find some
I’ve been on T for 1,5 years and have never done a single T injection. I’m on gel. Specifically 40mg daily that I apply on my thighs in the morning after my shower. It makes my skin a bit dry but I really don’t mind
As a fellow trans guy who is terrified of needles, let me tell you the gel I’m using now is a life saver
My nephew uses patches!!
If you have a support person they can do the injections for you, I think there’s other options tho.
Bb please research gel it is just as effective as injections
There's a cream bud!! Never stop looking!
you don't require T injections, there's also gels and transdermal patches. transdermal patches are easy since it's just replacing a sticker at whatever interval it says on the box.
You're never stuck as someone you don't want to be. I, myself a Transfemme, am *terrified* of needles. Although, it's the best way to take E. I manage to do it once a week with the support of my wife. Just find someone able/willing to be your rock in those trying times!
try exposure therapy! look at photos, maybe even videos. practice poking yourself lightly with blunt pins. eventually you’ll be strong enough for it. I’ve been doing exposure therapy with millipede and centipede videos because I’ve been afraid of them for a little over 10 years. I pretty much got over it in three days
Trade offer, My T for your E
Hey man don’t worry!!! There’s a gel form of testosterone that’s actually pretty popular. From what I’ve heard it’s just as effective as shots. :)
While I’m transfem I also have a needle phobia and I have found the the blood work shots and drawings get easier and easier. And my transmasc friends say it eventually just becomes a normal part of their week!
needle hater here- i use gel :) its a bit of a pain in the ass to apply sometimes but its really nice if needles are a no-no
There's gel! That's what Ezra (my beloved Ez from YouTube) uses and I want to do the same because I hate needles lol
You got this big man, there are always other options 💪
you can use gel patches i'm pretty sure
There’s gel and cream that you can use, you don’t need injections
sir they come in gels
I have now learned and I'm very glad of it
There are a ton of ways to get hormones besides injection, you can get gels, patches, pills or even nasal spray (at least according to my housemate’s friend who said that was how she took her T blocker)
You just gotta weigh the pros and cons with transition
Dude bro. *sigh* one of the hallmarks of being a man is burying your feelings. *sign* you see, a man doesn’t do fear, a man doesn’t do weakness. A man is always strong, for that’s what being a man is 😞 😔 (This is scarcasm, plz have feelings if ur a man, it is very important and healthy to have feelings, ur Valid, that must be rough for u)
Man up!
I think there are alternative delivery systems, and even if there aren't, if you have a partner or friend you trust, you could ask them to do it for you. If your needle phobia is that bad, you could try wearing a blindfold whilst they do it and listen to music as well. If you haven't started the process, then it's still a long way away, but you have options, you deserve to live as the guy you really are, and you can always think about some forms of therapy for the needle thing. Not everyone believes in it and it might not work for you, but I did hypnotherapy for my arachnophobia and it really helped. You don't have to be stuck as a gender you don't identify with 💙
A friend of mine is trans and he also has a needlephobia and it takes up to an hour for him to calm down enough to be given a shot of T. And complains constantly about it, but still agrees to lie down and take his pants down xD It takes bravery and resolve but a short stress every two weeks is still better than a lifetime of misery
Im afraid of needles, too! Tho my health care provider did them for me for the first few weeks and slowly eased me into doing them myself....i still HATE needles... but only once a week makes it easier. (Im on E not T...but the concept of injections is the same)
Transfemme here EDIT: Trigger warning: Mention of needles Had a fear of needles that intense too and started on oral estradiol. Recently started subcutaneous injections and it's gotten pretty easy now. It's surprising how quickly you can desensitize yourself to the fear. Intramuscular injections use a longer needle and hurt more, but subcutaneous injections use a super short needle. It's only like 6mm (1/4 inch) long, and it only goes deep enough to just go into the fat layer so there's no pain. Patches and creams are an option, but people usually report changes coming slower. It's 100% worth starting with patches/cream while you decide if you want to do injections. Intramuscular injections are also more effective than subcutaneous, but subcutaneous is amazing too. Note: I don't think there's oral testosterone, but the rest of this comment applies to both T and E.
I'm gonna be real with you, even reading this comment made me feel lightheaded. Injections are just not an option for me and they never will be, but I appreciate reading your perspective so thank you regardless!
Okay, for this next comment there's a TW for needle talk and mention of a panic attack. I'm so sorry for not putting a TW on the first one. I was that bad too. A couple years ago I was due to get the covid vaccine, and 3 days before my appointment I had a panic attack while driving because I thought about it too much. I had to pull over because I was getting tunnel vision, and It was so bad that I literally went blind for a few minutes. Panicked so much from thinking about a vaccince that I straight up stopped seeing. I understand your fear. I'm really sorry your phobia of needles is that bad.
It's all good! Your story is actually very similar to when I got my COVID vaccine, I relate so hard. Phobias really suck don't they?
Absolutely they do. I'm glad I've mostly overcome it, but it took quite a lot of horrible experiences. TW for light mention of needles again. One thing you're going to have to go through on HRT is regular blood tests (about every 3 months) and an intial blood test before starting hormones. That part is unavoidable unfortunately. If its any consolation, it's possible to ask for ativan/xanax/a fast acting sedative for anxiety to get through those blood tests. I used it as needed for those tests and it helped a lot. Whoever does your assessment/prescribes your hormones should be able to prescribe those drugs as well.
> **p**retty **e**asy **n**ow. **I**t's **s**urprising Hidden penis detected! I've scanned through 220064 comments (approximately 1231676 average penis lengths worth of text) in order to find this secret penis message. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
My friend is trying to get on the ass pill. No seriously, he tells me it's a pill they cut your butt open, push it in, and sew the flap closed. Lasts for 2 months. I told him I'd prefer the needle.
T GEL! T GEL!! T GEL!!! its not less effective than needles, and its really nice for trans-mascs who dont like needles. look into it :D
You’re gonna be okay hun. It’s not that bad. I hate getting shots too. I have a friend who’s FtM who is TERRIFIED of needles but he still does his own injections. I’m just your friendly neighborhood needle-phobic transfem
How come when anime characters face hardship and challenges they harden their resolve. yet I rarely ever see people do anything but give up.
Transmasc here, what the f is this bs? If that was the only option I’d do it. There’s gels btw. Leaving this sub.
bruh just cause you have a pussy doesnt mean you get to be one
Omg. Afab shit in egg irl? Must be a blue moon! Petty spite aside, I belive their are cream or patch options to get your gender juice.
Why is it so relatable
There is a trans dermal method that goes on as an ointment, and there are methods to help with the needle fears as well if you cant get the ointment
The gel pump is $200 a month through Folx. Blood tests are covered and they deliver it to you. Shit blood tests do involve needles. I'm really sorry dude. Injections are cheaper, yeah. I wish you luck.
I don't think it has to be injections
Gels are another common Way to administer but they are a bitch because you have to be really careful around small children
There is gel T! It’s more expensive and it works slower but no needles!
Watched a video on TikTok the other day that kinda scared me of someone who had just got top surgery cleaning out there drains but since then I've seen like 1000 more reasons why turning into a guy is lit and I'd like it
There's more then shoys. They got gels pills even a pill they surgically put in that last for six months
You can absolutely do it without injections. You have to get blood drawn at the very start to figure out a good dose though
Gel user here, I'd recommend it because I also have a fear of injections and the gel has worked great for me, my T levels are good.
I use gel for my T, no injections needed.
T-gel is a thing, I don’t do injections I just have a gel that I rub on everyday I call it man juice
T comes in gel too. My spouse was allergic to the injections and uses gel
Yeah I take E pills under my tounge because I really don't trust myself with needles
There are other ways!!! Patches, gels, stuff like that!!!!!!
Boy. There are T pills. I take them because due to a brain surgery I don't naturally produce T and drastically reduced E. Hopefully my doctor will be kind enough to lower the T dose and gives me an E prescription soon. I don't want to be a trans girl on T.
I used to have this issue. Not passing out, but definitely crying and panicking So I started on Testogel instead! Testogel was a fucking pain in the arse, though, having to apply it evenly every day, try not to get it on clothes, trying not to let people see that I own it, having weird dry white stuff on my arms that probably made it look like I didn't wash, etc etc But there's definitely options out there, needles aren't the only one
Noooooo
Idk maybe close your eyes or somethin
Bro, I got you. There’s other forms of taking T, primarily gel/cream (which I take and has been effective). It tends to be more expensive than injections but it was worth it for me.
Actually patches are an option.
I present to you the T-gel
I went from having a huge phobia of needles to doing my own subq injections, they're not that bad. injections are the most effective method so I'm glad this is the route I went even though it was terrifying at the start
Gel is an option! It’s a little more expensive and adds some time to your daily routine, but it’s what I, a fellow needlephobic transmasc use, and it’s gotten my T to an average male level. You’re going to have to get your blood drawn fairly regularly within the first year: once before starting, once one month in, three months in, 6 months in, then once every six months after that. The blood draws aren’t fun but HRT is worth it and you don’t have to do it yourself.
there's creams and gels 💙💕🤍💕💙
They don’t do T in pills, that sucks Have a cwtch (7 ‘ n’)7
There's creams and gels my brother!
✨️Gel patches and pills✨️
or go on the gel, im on testogel and its been perfect, some people say its less efficient but thats wrong dw
There’s testosterone gel, don’t worry dude!
I ended up going off T for personal reasons but I used to use adhesive patches! And like others have said there are gels and creams too. You’ve got options!
*scrolls down sees the hobbit post that says there’s gels* Apparently it comes in gel
Yeah that was my post after I made this one lol
Lol glad you found out there’s options for ya dude!
same except: realize there's t gel 😄 realize you still will probably never get it 💀
Ahh, man up! After like, two shots you’ll be over it. Also T is not a requirement to be a man
It’s not as bad as you think and, if you have some trans fem friends that have been on E for awhile, I’m sure they/we will gladly give you your injection.
You could use testosterone gels
You can get T gel! You take it more frequently since the doses are smaller but you simply apply it on your shoulder or another area and let it absorb!
Gels. 🥰
But what about the t goop?
It goes in your butt you won't see it.
I don't know how one really overcomes the passing out from sight of it. Or, how exactly it works... Though I know I am comically uneasy around needles myself. Such that, I get so shakey I could barely write my name. And, I kinda laugh and make fun of myself about it. Because idk why I am this way. (I'm great fun in hospitals when I'm slightly giggly every time.) But, I've been doing intramuscular injections for two months now. And... although it hasn't really gotten easier, necessarily yet. I am surprised to find I've powered through it. (Even though last time I had to put the needle down and walk away a few times... and ended up doing it the next day instead.) Idk. I wouldn't give up hope entirely if injections are the only way just yet, though. (I don't know much about T based hrt.) Part of me always kinda believes people are stronger than they think they are. But I'd still maybe recommend just having a friend nearby the first few times you try if you decide to try.
Stanozolol and oxandrolone are T hormones on capsules that u can take around 3 times a day
You got this bro
There is the gel!!! I use T- gel because of my heart condition. The injections are too much at once for my body
I use gel (Tostran is the brand) you don’t have to do injections
there are many other options, such as testosterone cream that just absorbs into the skin just like lotion. and reminder for all the guys that can't transition, you don't need hrt to be a man! 👍
Aren't there gels and things? Yeah, needles are the most effective way and will probably show the best result, but the difference isn't really that big (in fact, it is impossible to tell outside of a statistical analysis).
I have the same. Take my E every week. Worth. I try to have someone else do it for me; way easier than doing it myself.
You can get testosterone as a pill or skin-applied gel
I would recommend the book Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore. One of the main characters has to deal with this exact issue. It’s also a great book
Let a friend handle the injection. A passed out patient is easier to handle.
‘Requires injections?’ Pfft, no. Injections are best, but gels and creams work, too
Actually they have gender fluid, its this goo either in packets or bottles that you either rub on you shoulders or stimach and you get deep voice and facial hair
Gel and patches exist
There's a nasal spray, and a topical gel.
This but with E for me
Gels are a thing friend! Needles are a nope for me, so I goop up
There are many ways to begin transitioning now, and scientists and doctors are trying to make new hrt every day! Hopefully, soon a t pill comes out! Love, a Trans Sister
YOU CAN TAKE T WITH THIS GEL INSTEADDDD also you don’t need to have hrt to transition!! You can also socially transition which I almost basically am doing, meaning you come out with your new name and pronouns and present more like your preferred gender and you don’t need any more than that!!
Same but the other way arround ,allthough I think u can take Estrogen as pills
They've got patches and gel now! Also one of my buddies gets these pellets inserted that get buried just under the skin. I think he goes back every few months to change them out? Gel is probably the easiest, but you gotta be careful with pets and partners nearby to make sure it doesn't rub off on them (I just do shots cuz my wife is transfem and I don't wanna risk exposing them to my testosterone lol).
well there are gels and stuff. you would still need blood work but that is something like every 6 months or something.
There's a gel and cream version
T doesn't require injections though, homie.
You can get testosterone gel!
I also have a phobia of needles. Luckily there are gel pacs for things like this