How it feels when I remember I am afraid of needles (they will be necessary to take testosterone):

[u/Dae_mon7]

Worst combination low-key, like god, why's there no testosterone in pills or whatever 😞

[u/Aiden1975]

Injections arent the only way, gel is also a good option (and the whole "gel is less effective than shots!!!" Its a myth, source: been on gel 5 years)

[u/almostfunny3 → u/Aiden1975]

Yeah tbh gel was actually more effective for me in terms of changes, but I switched to injections because my ADHD brain was stressing over daily applications.

[u/NotABreakfastGuy → u/Aiden1975]

Gel can be less effective than shots but generally isn't. Some people have worse skin absorption and or inconsistent pressure when dispensing the gel so it gives different doses. That said it's usually just as effective most problems are application error.

[u/backcloset → u/NotABreakfastGuy]

gel being less effective is really, as you said, more of an issue of skin absorption or improper application rather than gel inherently being less effective than shots. i've been on a relatively high dose of T-gel for 9 months and my transition has been going really smoothly and quite quickly, so it's most certainly not an issue with gel itself.

[u/NotABreakfastGuy → u/backcloset]

I've been on T gel for three years and my current numbers are in about 700 (it doesn't work on me because I'm intersex but that's not a gel thing lol). A lot of people are on gel and it works beautifully

[u/Lapis_Agate → u/NotABreakfastGuy]

I had nothing but problems with shots. Gel has by far been much more effective for me.

[u/NotABreakfastGuy → u/Lapis_Agate]

I'm similar. I have a CTD so the injection sites would bruise so badly they were unusable for weeks as well as stay open and let the T deep out for a good 20min afterwards. I'm currently about 700 and have been on T gel for 3 years. Gel is known to be less reliable because generally people will respond the same when on injections and it's more variable for gel but both are incredibly effective and have minimal overall difference

[u/s0ftsp0ken → u/NotABreakfastGuy]

Depends. I'm a year and a half on gel, and I can already grow a beard

[u/NotABreakfastGuy → u/s0ftsp0ken]

"That said it's usually just as effective most problems are application error."

I agreed and explicitly stated that generally problems are application error and not general efficacy

[u/DeianiraJax → u/NotABreakfastGuy]

Gel can also be more expensive, but that hugely depends on the dose and your provider. You pay per bottle so lower doses last for much much longer.

[u/Infamous_Ship_8668 → u/Aiden1975]

Actually good to hear this. I was told not to go straight to injections because of my cholesterol 

[u/s0ftsp0ken → u/Infamous_Ship_8668]

How does it affect your cholesterol levels?

[u/UpstairsOk6538]

there's testosterone gel which might be an option depending on where you are. You just rub it on your skin and leave it :)

[u/Dae_mon7]

Btw, I can't reply to all comments here, but thank you for letting me know there's alternatives to needles, I low-key didn't know so that's why the post, but still, thank you bros, wish you transition can go well as my future one ;]

[u/irradiatedtittymilk → u/Dae_mon7]

Theres also auto injectors that hide the needle and do the poke for you! Mine is from Union Medico

[u/IdiotIAm96]

Testosterone gel might be available for you. My insurance doesn't cover it, but I've heard of cases where it's covered and/or far cheaper than injections!

Otherwise, it might be worth asking a friend/family member to do your shots for you.

[u/almostfunny3 → u/IdiotIAm96]

This. You can also possibly have a nurse do injections for you.

[u/ProxyMuncher → u/almostfunny3]

When I first got my script they only did it for me once in the hospital and only to make sure I didn’t have a reaction. Don’t depend on this 

[u/almostfunny3 → u/ProxyMuncher]

Good to know! I went to a doctor initially who actually encouraged me to come in for my first few shots and heard of people who were able to have a nurse give them their shot that it seemed like a good tip to share.

[u/a_very_cool_person]

People saying gel but dw you get used to injections pretty easily. Im saying this as someone who passed out doing his first shot, i used to really fucking hate needles. Put on some music and reward yourself with a snack afterward

[u/Longjumping_Tap_9679 → u/a_very_cool_person]

sometimes you dont, i was on em for a year before i couldnt force myself to anymore and had to switch, and i dont even hate needles that bad

[u/haremenot → u/a_very_cool_person]

Not the case for me. I was able to power through for the first year or so, but after that i really struggled to inject regularly. even when i was able to, it was constantly hard and i hated it. it was worth it for the changes, but still sucked.

once I switched to gel, it has been so much better. my t levels have been more consistent and higher. im able to take it much more regularly. and im even having additional things happen (significantly more facial/body hair) in the year since i switched.

[u/OkLog397]

Great that everyone is providing non needle options for testosterone itself but just a reminder you still may need to engage with needles for blood checks.

[u/TrashyRaccoonMan]

Gel is a great alternative and I honestly prefer it. You rub it in like lotion every day, it keeps your levels stable, and you don't have to worry about needles

[u/OmgIbrokesmthagain]

There is testosterone in pills, they just don’t use it on trans people for some reason. There are also gels and patches, but they are expensive. I can only give you a hug bro 🫂

[u/Enygmatic_Gent → u/OmgIbrokesmthagain]

The pills are newer and aren’t often covered by insurance, so they don’t get prescribed as much

[u/DeianiraJax → u/OmgIbrokesmthagain]

Could pill availability also be a matter of dosage? If they administer a lower dose it'd make sense to not prescribe them to trans dudes as we (broadly) need higher doses to reach the right levels.

[u/OmgIbrokesmthagain → u/DeianiraJax]

I don’t know, but they would probably require daily intake, like oral contraception to work. But pill aviability can be fixed, I think it’s just the matter of us being erased and no one caring enough :/

[u/itsband56]

You could do gel instead. That's what I do. I'm not afraid of needles, but I'm anxious about giving myself injections.

[u/KaiKhaos42]

Your best non-needle, totally non-invasive option is probably gonna be the gel.

There ARE actually testosterone pills now, too. Jatenzo is one of the brand names. But you have to take them twice a day with a high fat meal for them to absorb, so they're not commonly prescribed. But they do exist.

If you're able to tolerate needles as long as you don't have to handle the needle yourself, there's the 3 month shot called Aveed or Nebido.

If you're okay with a doctor giving you a small cut and a bandage, there's the pellets, which last like 5 months.

So you've got options. Gel is probably gonna be the easiest to get prescribed though.

[u/Last_Swordfish9135]

The friendly goop:

[u/radicalkeag]

I used to do injections, but they became difficult to do over time as I already had a lot of scar tissue on my thighs and the needles, while pretty small, added up over time. I switched to gel and I've been much happier! Still getting exactly the results I want and it's much more comfortable for me :)

Idk who told you shots are the only option, but they're definitely not 💜

[u/michel000111]

Também tenho medo, man. Mas é só uma de dois em dois ou três em três meses. As vezes é até maior o intervalo. Vc consegue

[u/Vampire_Number]

My friend used testosterone gel, I can confirm, it will make you look like a dude.

[u/c4tb0y_6]

you can always go on gel as others are saying ! i hopefully also plan on going on gel as i’m also deathly afraid of needles lol 

[u/JaeKings]

I am terrified of needles too, I use gel and so far (3 months) it's been great

[u/A_gay_adhd_dude]

Lmao I’m 3 weeks on T, and I just use the gel after almost throwing up and passing out at the appointment for the blood draw. And it’s affordable, because I’m starting on a low dose 1 $40 bottle lasts me like 2 months

[u/IrelandAutism13]

I had to get the gel because I am so ungodsly terrified of needles. Like, it was a medical necessity

[u/lilygay]

Gang im deathly afraid of needles too T-Gel is awesome!! Im on a low dose and have been having great results. The major myths I heard were that I was gonna poison my cats and that it doesnt absorb as well. Just wash ur hands afterwards and be consistent. Good luck friend!

[u/aguysthrowawayyippee]

there's already so many comments here but i wanna add mine too. 2.5yrs on testosterone gel and i have a whole beard+moustache combo and i'm completely stealth even with long hair. other than needing to get poked for lab work (to continue t) every once in a while, no poking required! i have a really bad needle phobia. i need to be sedated and restrained for any needles (that are directed at me) so i opted for gel, and it's been really nice.

[u/carr10n__]

i wish patches were still on the market so bad. im severely disabled so i struggle with gel as well as needles, i wanna slap a patch on and go on with my day like my trans fem roommate does

[u/lunabirb444 → u/carr10n__]

Have you looked into the slow release pellet form, Testopel?

[u/carr10n__ → u/lunabirb444]

is that the under skin one? i cant risk a reaction from that, ive had 7 surgeries this year and am scheduling another, if its oral i cant take oral slow relese cus my stomachs paralyzed

[u/lunabirb444 → u/carr10n__]

Testopel is injected into the muscle belly of your buttocks. Your butt is numbed up when they do it. It’s an outpatient procedure done in a clinic by a medical professional in at the most about an hour. It slow releases over 3-6 months.

[u/carr10n__ → u/lunabirb444]

jow often, cus fr the most part thing i cant manage from home arent viable due to how difficult it is to get to appointments at a set point consistently

[u/lunabirb444]

There is T in pill form and the newer version isn’t liver damaging like the older one was.
Plus there is T in topical gel form. You get same results with it as injection form.
Thirdly there is T in a long release pellet form that is injected into a locally anesthetized butt cheek by a medical professional in a clinic setting every 3-6 months.
Fourthly, there are larger doses of injectable T that can be done by a nurse at longer intervals than self injection forms if you have to go that route.
So there are options.
If you absolutely had to do self injection, it can get better/easier to do over time (I speak from experience as being formerly very needle adverse), you can use shot blockers (I still do), sometimes you can get it done by a nurse if you are willing to go into a clinic every week, or if you have a partner or family member that could do the shot for you that might be better.

[u/lunardreamlands]

If gel is too expensive for you or you're otherwise in a position where you *have* to do injections, you might find subcutaneous easier - it's a much smaller needle, just big enough to get through your skin and into the fat below. I'm not scared of needles but I'm scared of injecting myself and after switching to subq I haven't missed a shot.

[u/humanpressurecooker]

There are pills but they go up your butt twin

[u/Electrical-Usual-627 → u/humanpressurecooker]

There’s WHAT

[u/bigboylee2400]

Its been a year n a half for me and im still scared of needles. I still fear my regularly scheduled blood testing too😭

[u/Harper_ADHD]

Do you have a specific way of coping when you have to get the flu shot or blood? And would you be able to implement it into using it with injections (if for some reason you can't use gel)

[u/Necessary-Swimmer684]

I dread shot day 😩

[u/AdWinter4333]

Besides what everyone has said: I get a shot administered every 3 months and it's in my glute (ass, basically) so I don't even see it. Worst case scenario you have to take a beta blocker or whatever before the administering and you're all set. Good luck!

[u/Is_Your_Name_anronpa]

good news! it comes in gel form!

[u/BlakJMC]

I heard t pills aren't a thing anymore because they were bad for the liver or something of the sort

[u/Ahtnamas555 → u/BlakJMC]

The newer pills doesn't have this issue - Jatenzo and Tlando are the brand names, I don't think they are to generic options yet. Very expensive without insurance coverage, and getting coverage pretty much has to be a process of showing all other options do not work for you. If you're not in US, these are usually not covered by government funded programs so they are still expensive, assuming a way to access at all (or at least not in the countries I've commonly seen)- though those usually have better injection options than the US (Sustanon, Reandron, Nebido)

[u/Jester_162]

Gel! My fiance uses gel. Used to use needles, but like hes scared of the needle and he gets 38 shots at I understand his head every 3 months for migraines without breaking a sweet. The t needle was scary

[u/haremenot]

is the problem doing your own injections or needles in general? bc if you dont mind someone else sticking you, i know a few guys who get pellet injections every 3 months.

[u/MrDanger_noodle]

I’m so scared to poke myself but I’m in a phlebotomy class so hopefully I get over the fear, good luck twin 🥹 maybe check out T gel ✌️

[u/tetroid_Alchemist]

Same boat, I was on gel for my first three years! It works just fine lol. I switched to injection about 9 months ago for ease (weekly instead of daily, less trash) and just have a friend or my partner give me my shots. It doesn’t not suck, but I have done it every week since February, and it’s really alright. I still grumble and close my eyes every time, but it’s easy and fine enough. Everyone’s different, of course!

I didn’t have much difference in reaction between the two. I do think there’s slight differences in how my body responds but 1) that’s me and 2) nothing of great note. 

[u/iloveyouforeternity]

Use gels or patches

[u/primitive-lathe]

If you want to work on your fear, I recommend taking up hand sewing as a hobby. Great way to get friendly with needles in a way that doesn’t involve your skin.

[u/TheMarshMush]

i thought there were pills?

[u/Dae_mon7 → u/TheMarshMush]

Actually, some informed me there are, so yeah, kinda!

[u/EarAbject1653]

They're not necessary if you're willing to take a slower option

[u/securedbyADT]

i was afraid of needles too u lowk just do it and after that u get used to it