How to Give Yourself Estrogen Injections

Estrogen is the female hormone that is important for many metabolic functions in the body. Typically, the female body stops producing estrogen as a result of menopause or injury to an ovary. If a woman so chooses, a replacement treatment of estrogen (estradiol) injections may be prescribed by a doctor. Estrogen is also prescribed for osteoporosis treatment, reducing stroke and heart attack risk, and for treating uterine bleeding.

Things You'll Need

• Puncture-proof container or trash can
• Syringe (20 to 22 gauge, 1-1½ ml)
• Estradiol
• Alcohol wipes
• Water
• Soap
• Bandage

Instructions

Preparing the Syringe

1. Make sure your hands are clean. Wash hands with warm water and soap.

2. Prepare the syringe only if you are ready to give an injection. Take the syringe out of the wrapper, tighten the needle by rotating the syringe to the right, and carefully take the needle cap off.

3. Draw air into the syringe by pulling the plunger down.

4. Push the syringe into the vial of estradiol, and push the plunger down until all of the air is injected into the vial.

5. Turn the vial and syringe upside down. Make sure the needle is still submerged into the fluid.

6. Draw the prescribed dose into the syringe. The marks are labeled on the side of the syringe, and are in units of milliliters.

7. Look for air bubble in the syringe. Release any air bubbles by lightly flicking the sides of the syringe with your fingers.

Preparing Injection Site

1. Place the syringe onto a clean surface if necessary.

2. Prepare the injection site and the surrounding area by rubbing the skin with an alcohol swab for 10 seconds. Typically, estrogen is injected into muscle. The middle outer portion of the thigh works fine.

3. Keep a ready-to-go alcohol swab and bandage to the side for cleanup.

Giving an Injection

1. Pick up the prepared needle and stretch the injection site between your thumb and index finger of the other hand. Hold the syringe 90 degrees perpendicular to the injection site, and inject the needle firmly into the skin.

2. Pull slightly on the plunger with the other hand, making sure there is no blood in the needle (If blood is present, dispose of the needle in a safe trash can and start over at a new injection site beginning in section 1).

3. If no blood is present, slowly press the plunger until all of the drug is injected.

4. Pull out the syringe at a 90-degree angle once the medication is injected. Throw away the syringe in a safe trash can or sharps container.

5. Rub the injection site with an alcohol wipe. Throw away the wipe and place a bandage over the injection site.

Tips & Warnings

• If you must inject more than 3 ml, then split the dose in half by injecting into two different muscle sites.

• Do not use the same injection site each time.

• Discuss all health problems with a doctor before using this medication. Do not use estrogen injections if you are pregnant, or if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, a history of uterine cancer, stroke, blood clot or circulation problems.

• Long-term hormone replacement may increase your risks for breast cancer, heart attack or stroke. Talk to your doctor about possible risks.

• Estrogen injections are not a form of birth control.

References

• Estrogen Injections
• How to Give Yourself an IM Injection