Injection Day!

Just a few months ago the idea of sticking a needle into my thigh every 2 weeks wasn't, in the slightest, an enticing one. I went from whimpering and asking friends and family to do it for me to becoming the no needle fearin' boy I am today!

I just finished today's injection. I look forward to every other Thursday like it's a trans Christmas, when I get to inject again and experience my body and mind connect more and more every.single.day. It's wonderful. When preparing, I wipe the injection point on my thigh with a little alcohol wipe. I remember my first injection on December 11th when I wiped my hairless, soft thigh. Today? It's harder, and a twirl of wet hairs are left behind after wiping the area. Gross, I know. But great.

I'm still on the same prescription that I started out on - 100mg of Testosterone Cypionate every 2 weeks, injection via a 25g syringe into any muscle. Right after injecting I looked in the mirror to enthusiastically examine my facial hair development. Scarce, but definitely more noticeable every time I inspect. Just yesterday when I showed it off to a poor friend she commented, "Oh wow, I can actually see hairs this time without trying."

I'll do another pained photo documentation (but becoming less pained with time - never underestimate the power of desensitization) post haste.

Fortunately I switched pharmacies after becoming uninsured - to a pharmacy that carries Testosterone Cypionate in larger vials. The vials I'd been receiving before cost $60 per 2 injections. These vials? $60 per 10 injections. Expensive still, but MUCH more affordable.

I'm anxious about health insurance. I haven't had an appointment with my doctor since losing it, but I definitely need to go see her in the near future here. We need to see how my hormone levels are doing and if all is well - and if my prescription should be altered at all. I'm reluctant to make an appointment, having no idea how expensive it's going to be out-of-pocket without health insurance. 

I'm tempted to never make an appointment and to just call for prescription refills until I get the health insurance situation figured out but... I can't. I realize that I do need to be seen.

According to Hudson's Guide:

long-term testosterone treatment may cause the ovaries to develop similar symptoms as those seen in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS has been linked to increased risk of endometrial hyperplasia (a condition that occurs when the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows too much) and thus endometrial cancer, as well as ovarian cancer.

and

It is not uncommon for trans men who are pre-hysterectomy to experience a buildup of endometrial tissue, especially during the first few years of testosterone therapy. Endometrial tissue is normally shed during menstruation, but since this process is usually stopped a few months into testosterone therapy, additional tissue may continue to build up and may eventually begin to shed in the form of spotting. Because irregular bleeding can be a sign of cancer (though this is often not the case), trans men who experience any bleeding/spotting should see a doctor who will perform tests to determine the cause of the spotting. These tests may include an endometrial biopsy and/or an ultrasound. The doctor may advise a short course of progesterone to cause the uterus to shed the excess endometrial tissue-- this is much like inducing a period. While this may be unpleasant, it should be understood as a preventative measure, since the unusual buildup of endometrial tissue has been linked to endometrial cancer.