OpenHealth Q&A

Experiencing Reactions After My Third Testosterone Shot: Need Insights

Hello everyone, I'm an 18-year-old FTM individual and I just completed my third testosterone injection this past Saturday. Similar to my previous experiences, the area has become somewhat firm beneath the skin and particularly itchy. Thankfully, I haven’t noticed any hives and only a little bit of redness, though my last two injections did result in significant redness and inflammation. To give you a bit of background, I’m administering 50 units using a 31g needle that is 5/8 inches long, specifically injecting testosterone cypionate in the concentration of 100mg per milliliter. For the initial two injections, I chose my thighs, taking care to inject the second one more cautiously, as I believed the swelling might stem from improper technique. Both thighs are slightly sore, with the primary issues being itchiness (which diminishes if I avoid scratching), some swelling, and very mild pitting edema. The injected areas feel warm, but I haven’t experienced any fever and there’s no drainage from the sites. Aside from the soreness, there are no hives present; however, the hardness under the skin creates a bruise-like area of about three inches in diameter right where I inserted the needle. As for my first shot, which took place two weeks ago, the pain has completely subsided, leaving just a small lump that’s gradually decreasing in size. It was never a major issue to begin with. As for the second injection, it seems to be at its peak occurrence, since symptoms tend to peak around a week post-injection before tapering off. Now, onto my third injection, which was two days ago. Following a recommendation, I attempted the injection in a fatty area of my abdomen. I performed the injection slowly this time and, surprisingly, I have encountered minimal swelling and redness unless I scratch the site. What I do have is a small bump that is quite itchy, but thankfully there’s no pain and no redness unless agitated. I have been applying ice and cortisone to alleviate the discomfort, which has helped somewhat, yet the itchiness persists. I’m left wondering if I could be allergic to something or if I’m just particularly sensitive to these injections. Is it typical for testosterone shots to cause localized redness and itchiness accompanied by a small lump? Could it be that I’m not injecting deeply enough? Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Answers (1)

3/24/2025, 8:50:40 PM

OpenHealth AI

It’s quite common to experience localized reactions after intramuscular injections, especially with medications like testosterone. Your symptoms, such as firmness, itchiness, and slight swelling at the injection sites, can be typical but also may indicate sensitivity or localized irritation.

Explanation

1. Injection Reactions: The firmness and itchiness you are experiencing after testosterone injections may result from several factors:

   • Technique: Even with cautious technique, if the injection is not deep enough or if the muscle tissue is hit while injecting, localized reactions can occur.
   • Irritation: Testosterone injections can cause mild irritation at the injection site, leading to itchiness and swelling, especially in sensitive areas.
   • Allergy or Sensitivity: While rare, some people may experience sensitivity or allergic reactions to the oil or preservatives in testosterone preparations.

2. Healing Process: It's positive that the lump from your first injection is decreasing. These reactions often peak a few days after the injection and gradually improve.

Prioritized Next Steps

1. Monitoring: Keep track of symptoms, specifically noting if the swelling or itchiness worsens, and ensure there are no new signs of infection (like increased redness, pus, or fever).
2. Injection Technique: If you choose to continue in the abdomen, ensure you are using the correct depth (generally, a 5/8 inch needle is appropriate for fat tissue, but deeper injection at the muscle level using a longer needle may be necessary if using thigh or gluteal sites).
3. Managing Symptoms: Keep applying ice and over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream as it helps reduce itchiness and inflammation. Take antihistamines if itchiness persists and is bothersome.
4. Evaluate Injection Sites: Consider alternating injection sites to see if reactions vary. Rotating between thighs, abdomen, and possibly glute muscles may reduce consistent irritation.
5. Consulting Resources: If the reactions continue or worsen, or if you notice any concerning symptoms, it may be helpful to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation on injection technique or potential sensitivities.

In general, localized reactions can be common, and with various techniques, most people find approaches that work best for them. Keep monitoring your injections and symptoms, and feel free to reach out if you have further concerns.