Hi Everyone, my name is Samantha. I'm a trans woman. I'm considering calchlorin as a serious option.
I've read 45 pages of this thread so far and wanted to clear up some facts so people don't hurt themselves; or at least help minimise risks.
Specifically in the pages I've read there's been much debate about purity of CaCl2, how much to be used, how to sterilise (or whether to bother), what products to use.
So I'll attempt to clear some of those up definitively. In the interest of everyone's safety feel free to correct me and add clarifications. I'll update this post accordingly.
First I want to say this thread has been a great resource for inspiration for me personally, and to learn other people's experiences; what risks I might be taking on, and what to expect. I agree it's really important to read this thread, however please remember that the results of the main studies of calchlorin sterilisation on animals are here
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www.spayfirst.org/programs/non-surgical-sterilization/. The best sources of facts and methods are the papers on these sites.
These are being kept up to date with the newest findings and methods. So familiarise yourself with them. I found a good place to start was "Ingredients and Techniques"
wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Calchlorin-ingredients-and-technique-rev-2014-12-081.docx?adcd33
Second I don't recommend doing this; it's dangerous.
So let's start...
Bacteria, infection, sterilisation/sterilization:
There's been a lot of talk about whether to boil mixtures for 30+ minutes. Or whether bacteria can survive in high salt and/or ethanol solutions. The answer is yes, they can. Certain bacterium or bacterium spores are known to survive in conditions of high salt concentration, AND high ethanol concentration (90%+). Google "bacteria survive in salt" and "bacteria survive in ethanol" to read more.
Also boiling happens at 100 degrees C and does not reliably kill all bacteria. To reliably kill all bacterium this way you need to boil under sufficient pressure to raise the temperature between 116 to 118 degrees C, using an autoclave or similar device. This can also result in the receptacle your're boiling exploding, or the solution becoming more concentrated, which is not desirable.
However boiling is unnecessary and you'll notice the "Ingredients and Techniques" paper above doesn't mention boiling. Instead it mentions two important things:
1. Use sterile bottles / syringes / etc.
2. Filter the solution with a 0.2 micron filter
Why a 0.2 micron filter? The reason is all bacterium and their spores are larger than 0.45 micron (
http://www.pall.com/pdfs/Food-and-Bever ... es_by_Filt ers.pdf). Filtering the solution with a 0.2µm filter will remove all bacteria.
0.2µm filters are unusually fine. You will probably get raised eyebrows if you try to buy one, because they're normally used for biological stuff. The easiest and most cost-effective way to buy and use them however is with a "0.2µm syringe filter (
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=0.2% ... 4&bih=1019)". Attach it to the end of a sterile syringe, take the liquid into the syringe through the filter, remove filter, then attach the needle. You now have a sterile solution for a few extra dollars and minimal effort.
Note: the 0.2 micron filter is mentioned as the most basic requirements even in severely impoverished places. Therefore it's a good idea to use it.
Calcium Chloride Dihydrate or Anhydrous?
Not all CaCl2 is the same. What the calchlorin sites recommend is Calcium Chloride Dihydrate at 20% solution.
To explain, CaCl2 anhydrous is Calcium Chloride that has no water. CaCl2*2H2O (dihydrate) is Calcium Chloride that is bonded to water molecules already.
This is important because if you mix a 20% solution with CaCl2 powder, it will be stronger than mixing a 20% solution with CaCl2*2H2O powder/flakes. Approximately, a 20% solution with Calcium Chloride Dihydrate powder is equivalent to a 13% solution with Calcium Chloride Anhydrous. I.e. many people are mixing too strong.
What's recommended in the Ingredients and Techniques is to measure 20 grams of CaCl*2H20 into a sterile vessel, then fill the alcohol to the 100 mL mark. This will give you a 20% Calcium Chloride Dihydrate solution in a 95% ethanol base: The resultant solution will be approximately 13% CaCl2, 11% water, 76% alcohol.
Food Grade? Pharmaceutical Grade? And where to source Calcium Chloride Dihydrate
Not all CaCl2 is the same. Food grade is not as pure as Scientific/Pharmaceutical grade. If you want to verify this for yourself, purchase a few types and ask for the "Certificate of Analysis". One food grade I'm looking at has 95% CaCl2, and up to 5% Chlorine Metal and/or Magnesium (among other things). That's fine in food but what does it do to your testicles? I don't know.
Scientific and Pharmaceutical grade should be the same, but you need to check by using the Certificate of Analysis.
The best place to source CaCl2*2H2O and most other things you'll need (filters, syringes, etc.) is from a scientific supplier - the type that supply schools and universities. They're all over the place. Many of these places contain science nerds who will ask you what you're using this stuff for, mainly out of sheer nerdy curiosity, so prepare your story in advance, or order supplies online where possible.
When you order the CaCl2*2H2O - request the Certificate of Analysis so you know exactly what you're injecting. These reports show the contents in parts per trillion. They will probably show the CaCl2*2H2O also contains Pb (lead) and/or arsenic in <= 0.002%, which is tiny. Try to find a product without any undesirable components higher than <= 0.05%. You want 98 to 103% pure CaCl2*2H2O. The dihydrate may also be listed as 77 to 80% pure. Both of these strange percentages for Calcium Chloride Dihydrate are due to the water content. If you're not sure, ask the scientific supplier for help until you are completely confident.
Note: You will probably need a license to buy non-denatured ethanol, so source that elsewhere.
Ethanol/Alcohol - Denatured or Pure? And Where to Source?
First of all, you could argue that because you're injecting into tissue, it's safe to use denatured ethanol. However if denatured alcohol gets into your blood it can cause blindness and other serious damage. Given the testicles have blood vessels, it's an unnecessary risk. The published papers are clear: "Use 96% drinking alcohol" - so stick to this.
What you're looking for is "95% alcohol (190 proof)" (Google this). You should be able to find Everclear, or Spirytus Rektyfikowany (Polish for "Rectified Spirit (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rectified_spirit)"), which is also ca
were licensed to purchase pure alcohol, it will still only be 96% because that's the highest concentration that's stable under normal conditions (
http://io9.com/why-cant-you-make-liquor ... 1701953611). You will probably find that most liquor stores, bottle shops, etc. don't stock 95% alcohol - it's too dangerous if people drink it straight. However, you can probably find it online or at specialist stores. There are additional brands mentioned in the Ingredients and Techniques doc, try Googling all the brand names in your area.
Proof is exactly double the alcohol content. E.g. 95% = 190 proof.
It's worth saying again - if you can't drink it, don't inject it. The consequences are simply not worth it, and there is no antidote to denatured alcohol poisining.
Testicle Size, Testicle Volume vs. Weight, How to Calculate, and How Much to Inject?
I've seen some suggestions on this thread to inject as much as 3 to 5 mL. That's far too much.
In Humans the average volume per testicle is 18 cm^3, with sizes ranging between 12 and 30 cm^3 (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testicle# ... appearance). The testicle is an ellipsoid. To calculate the volume, you can use a Vernier Calliper, or a ruler, patience, and a keen eye. Be aware that the skin and epididymis increase the apparent size of the testicle. A Vernier Calliper can be found for ~$20 USD if you want to be sure.
To calculate the volume, use Google (
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=calc ... 3&ie=UTF-8). This calculator uses radius, not diameter, so halve your measurements. Another way to calculate the volume per testicle is:
Width * Height * Length * 0.524 (using diameters)
This should give the same result as the Google calculator, which uses V = ( 4 / 3 ) * Pi * Width * Height * Length (using radii). You can use both tools to double check your calculations. Each testicle should be in the range of 12 to 30 cm^3, or close to it.
The above gives you the volume. What about the weight? Your testicular volume (mL) will likely be about 98% of the weight (see table:
http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script= ... nore=.html). So if one testicle is 20 mL in volume, it will weigh 20 grams (or very close).
The dosage for animals in the published papers are (check the most recent version of the paper to make sure these are up to date):
Testicular Width - Dose per testicle
10-14 mm - 0.25ml (if testis feels overly full, STOP before full dose)
15-18 mm - 0.5 mL
19-22 mm - 0.8 mL* to 1 mL (inject 0.8 mL, continue to fullness)
23-24 mm - 1.0 mL* to 1.5 mL (inject 1 mL, continue to fullness)
25-26 mm - 1.5 mL to undetermined** (see technique note below)
So based on my measurements of 5 x 2.6 x 3 cm, I will be in the 1 to 1.5 mL range (possibly more). However, the pain seems to vary a great deal between people who've tried this. Some people have succeeded with only 0.5 mL, and it's been proposed the pain may be higher in humans than animals. So I'll be trying 0.5 mL to start with, and wait for 3+ months.
More than 1.5 mL is most likely too much. People seem to have had the most problems when the calchlorin has seeped out of the testicle into the scrotal sack, causing extreme pain, adhesion of testicles to the scrotum, bruising, nausea, vomiting, and infection. I think it's better to inject less, rather than risk leakage. The papers recommend be prepared to perform a bilateral orchiectomy while learning to inject, so even trained veterinarians need practice.
The recommendation has also changed from "inject while pulling the needle out", to just "injecting in the centre", also to help prevent leakage.
Ethanol vs. Water Based Solution
From the latest papers, ethanol is preferred to make the CaCl2*2H2O solution, and seems to:
1. Cause less pain
2. Be more permanent
Testicles are more likely to start repairing themselves after 12 months using the water solution.
Injection Method
The original injection method was to withdraw the needle while injecting. While this may still be more effetive for long testicles, the preferred method is now to just inject into the centre of each testicle, injecting slowly over at least 10 to 20 seconds per testicle. Some of the things to consider are:
1. Make extra solution and have extra needles so there is no pressure on you to get it right the first time
2. Check the solution has no floaters or sediment, it should be completely clear and dissolved
3. Scrub vigorously your hands, wrists, testes, dry with clean paper towels, then wear sterile gloves
4. Pull the scrotal skin tight, possibly using a band to tie the testes in place (not too tight), freeing up your hands
5. Avoid the visible blood vessels in the scrotal skin
6. Ensure there is no CaCl2 solu
because it will irritate the injection site
7. Ensure there is minimal air in the syringe before injecting. A little bit won't cause problems
8. Try to have the solution at body temperature, if it's too cold or hot, it can cause pain
9. Use sterile, new syringes
10. Use rubbing alcohol, antiseptic cream, or iodine/Betadine solution on the scrotal skin before injecting
11. Be relaxed, the pin prick doesn't hurt much, there aren't many nerves of this type in the testes - take your time
12. Once the needle is inserted, wait - take your time to adjust, relax, and let the adrenalin settle - don't rush
13. Then pull back on the needle to check for blood. If there is blood, you're in a blood vessel. Pull out, and take a break. I'd recommend starting again, because there'll be blood in the syringe, and it will be difficult to tell if you're in a blood vessel next time. Even wait an hour and regain your composure
14. Once you're ready to inject, go slowly, measure, and feel. The documentation says if a testicle feels full, it is full. Don't push it and risk leakage, which leads to excessive and unnecessary pain
15. Once injected, give it time to see the effects. From others' posts it can take 3+ months to several to see the full effects
You Will Need
- 0.2 micron syringe filters
- CaCl2*2H2O powder or flakes, scientific/pharmaceutical grade
- 95% (190 proof) drinking alcohol
- several disposable 10 mL syringes, with no needles, for filtering
- several disposable 3 mL syringes with 25 gauge or higher 1/2" to 3/4" needles
- sterile disposable latex gloves
- clean disposable paper towels
- a scale that measures in grams
- 50 or 100 mL mixing container and stirrer
- an autoclave or a pressure cooker (for sterilising mixing container and stirrer)*
- rubbing alcohol, iodine, or Betadine for cleaning the area
- a clean working area
*Use an autoclave/pressure cooker to sterilise equipment if possible. If not possible, take up the liquid into one of the 10 mL syringes through the 0.2 micron filter, remove the filter, then fill the injecting syringe from this syringe. Think it through so the final solution doesn't touch anything that's not sterile.
I hope this helps. Again, I'd like the above to be as accurate as possible, so please do correct me if you see mistakes, factual errors, or have experienced otherwise.
I realise we all have a condition which is not considered "normal" however, take loving care of yourself. I hopefully have a path available to me of surgical castration, however I'm researching this for my own reasons and because it's something to control. Remember you're worthwhile and deserve the best chance of a positive outcome from the decisions you make. xox
Sam
