Traveling with Testosterone | What You Need To Know

by: Aaron Capener

Of course, your trip has been scheduled for the day of your shot. Where do you start packing if you don't know what to do with one of the most important parts of your day? Here's where you start!

If you are planning on being away for longer periods of time, you may need to pack your testosterone. For those of us that inject our testosterone, it could be a little more complicated when getting ready for a flight. Considering all of the syringes, vials, and needles necessary, there are a few extra tips for traveling with FTM medical supplies you want to keep in mind.

• Prescription:

  Definitely bring your prescription and keep it on hand in case of any questions. And by prescription I mean the fancy paper they staple to the back of your bag after you pick up your meds, including your name, refill date, etc. 

• Checking vs Carry-On:

  Can you take syringes in checked luggage? Yes, you can. According to a TSA spokesperson, "you need to package them [the syringes] with their medications so it’s obvious they’re needed for a medical reason.” If have a testosterone shot due on the day of travel, I would recommend doing your shot before/after your flight. If you do that, you can check your products which will be a much smoother experience.

• Protective Case:

  The last thing you want is for your vial of T to crack or your gear to be damaged during your flight. Let’s be real, even if they mark it as fragile, checked luggage is still going to be thrown around. Even if you are carrying it on, there’s still chance it could be crammed into the overhead bin. Be sure you are storing your gear in a hard case to help avoid damage during your journey. Here's a great, inexpensive shot kit that can hold up to a month's worth of shot supplies.

TSA Requirements:

Bringing your full shot kit on the plane can slow down the security process but can be done if necessary. On their site, TSA mentions that you need to let them know that the contents of your kit are medically necessary. You must “Inform the TSA officer that you have medically necessary liquids and/or medications and separate them from other belongings before screening begins.”

This doesn’t mean you have to announce your trans* to the TSA agent. But you can say something along the lines of, “I’ve got some medical supplies in here including syringes and testosterone.” It also doesn't hurt to bring a copy of your prescription too, just in case.

Waiting to take your shot until after you arrive at your destination would be ideal if possible. That way you can check your testosterone shot supplies in your luggage and not need to go through extra security protocols.

All in all, if you are strict about what time of day you administer your shot then you can carry it on the plane with the above instructions. However, if you can do your shot before your flight or after and pack it in your checked luggage, it will speed up an already long and sometimes stressful security experience.

Be sure to consider all your FTM supplies including packer gear! We hope you found this helpful and ensure that traveling with FTM medical supplies is a quick and painless experience!

Drop a comment below and let us know any hacks you know to make traveling with FTM medical supplies a breeze!