HRT Resources
What to look for when Buying Syringes & Needles Online
○ Typical supplies purchased online: • 1 mL Luer Lock Syringes • 18g drawing needles • 21g 1-inch injection needles 1. Make Sure They Are Sterile and Single-Use ○ Look for these words in the product listing: • Sterile • Individually wrapped • Single use • Disposable Each syringe or needle should come in its own sealed package. Avoid bulk bags of loose syringes or needles. 2. Choose the Correct Syringe Size Common Syringe Sizes for Hormone Injections ○ Syringe Size: 1 mL (1 cc) • Most common for testosterone or estradiol injections ○ Syringe Size: 3 mL (3 cc) • Used if the dose volume is larger 3. Pick the Right Needle Gauge and Length Needles are described using two measurements: ○ Gauge (g) = thickness ○ Length = how long the needle is Smaller gauge numbers = thicker needles ○ Gauge • 15-18g: Often used to draw medication • 20–25g: Common for injecting hormones ○ Length • ½–⅝ inch: Subcutaneous injections • 1–1.5 inch: Intramuscular injections 4. Look for Luer Lock or Luer Slip This describes how the needle attaches to the syringe. ○ Luer Lock • Needle twists on • More secure ○ Luer Slip • Needle pushes on • Slightly less secure Both work, but many clinics prefer Luer Lock. 5. Check the Seller Quality ✅ What to look for • Sterile • Individually wrapped • Correct gauge and length • Luer lock compatible • Clear size listed in the product description • Medical supply brands (McKesson, Luer-lock, ADW, EasyTouch, BD Precision Glide, etc.) • High product ratings • Photos of sealed sterile packaging 🚫 Avoid: • Loose bulk needles • Reusable syringes • Listings that don’t list gauge and length • Don’t show packaging • Have unclear measurements • Advertise “lab use only” without details 6. Tips for patients: If you're unsure whether a product will work with your injection method you can reach out to us in the clinic and we can get you injection supplies here in the office. ✅ Simple rule: If it is sterile, individually wrapped, the correct size, and from a reputable listing, it is usually appropriate for hormone injections.
Guidance for Medication Injections
- Prep/Sanitize - • Clean the area where you are going to give your injection. • Wash hands with soap & water. ○ Things you will need for your injection; • Medication • Sterile disposable syringe/needles • Alcohol swab x2, bandaid, cotton ball • Hard plastic resealable container to dispose of used needle/syringe - Filling the Syringe - • Clean the rubber stopper of the vial with an alcohol swab. • Unwrap the needle & syringe, join them together tightly. • Be sure you have 2 needles, one to draw (18g larger needle) & one to inject. (21-25 gauge needles) • Put air into the syringe by pulling down on the plunger. With the vial upright, put the needle into the rubber stopper and push air into the bottle. • Turn the vial upside down. Fill the syringe with the amount of medication you need. • Turn the vial upright, remove your needle. • Safely swap your needles out. - Injections - • Follow your prescription for if you need to inject SubQ or IM. • Subq dose is: 0.01ml up to 0.5ml • IM dose can be: 0.01 and up Switch sides each week. • Clean your injection site with an alcohol swab, then let it dry. ○ Sub Q Injections Technique 1. Pinch skin (should be able to grab about 1 inch of tissue) 2. Insert needle at 45° angle Hold the syringe like a dart. The needle should pierce the skin quickly and gently. 3. Inject the medication slowly and steadily. 4. Remove the needle in one smooth motion in the same angle it entered. 5. Press gently with gauze or a cotton ball. ○ IM Injections Technique 1. Stretch the skin flat and tight. 2. Insert the needle straight in at a 90° angle. Hold the syringe like a dart. The needle should pierce the skin quickly and gently. 3. Inject the medication slowly and steadily. 4. Remove the needle in one smooth motion in the same angle it entered. 5. Press gently with gauze or a cotton ball. - Disposal - • Once the cap is safely on your needle you can place the needles and syringe into a hard sealable container OR a sharps container. • Dispose of any trash. • Keep your medication in a room temperature area.
Common locations used for SubQ injections
Common locations used for IM injections
Injection Information
*Harmony HRT offers Injection Training. If you need to get in for training, please schedule an appointment with our front office at 970-639-2677.