Many people still do not know where exactly and how to correctly perform intramuscular and subcutaneous steroid injections, and do not understand the difference between injections into the deltoid muscle and injections into the buttock. This article will help you avoid mistakes when using anabolic steroids in the form of injections.
It turns out that the effectiveness of injections depends not only on the drug, but also on the injection site! And this significantly affects the results.
In general, intramuscular injections are divided into systemic and local. Systemic injections, for example, into the gluteal muscle, provide maximum absorption of the drug into the bloodstream - up to 100%, as you correctly noted. This means that the substance spreads throughout the body, affecting all muscle groups.
However, the effectiveness drops with injections into other muscles. For example, about 70% of the drug gets into the anterior deltoid muscle, and 85% into the lateral surface of the thigh. This is due to differences in the blood supply to different muscle groups.
It is important to take this into account when choosing an injection site. If you need maximum systemic effectiveness, it is better to use the gluteal muscle. If the goal is a local effect (for example, increasing the strength of a specific muscle), then choosing an injection site becomes more difficult.
By the way, about local injections. They are usually performed using insulin syringes or 2-ml syringes with 45-60 mm long needles. Popular drugs for local use are insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), winstrol, testosterone suspension, testosterone propionate and nandrolone. However, for increasing muscle strength, systemic injections are usually more effective, for example, into the subcutaneous fat of the abdomen. Before injecting oil solutions, the ampoules or vials should be slightly warmed up. This facilitates the introduction. For oil solutions (testosterone esters, synthol), 2-ml syringes with 2.5-3 cm long needles are usually used.
For local injections, the most suitable places are the outer side of the quadriceps, the middle bundle of the deltoids, and also, with caution, the triceps, pectoral muscles, trapezius, biceps and calf muscles.

Intermuscular Injections
The topic of subcutaneous injections in bodybuilding is quite interesting, and often accompanied by some myths. Let's take it all in order, adding some additional information.
Let's start with the fact that subcutaneous administration of drugs is an excellent way to deliver substances such as insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and growth hormone. This is due to the fact that the subcutaneous tissue is well vascularized, which ensures relatively rapid and uniform absorption of the drug into the blood.
Insulin, for example, can be administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly, and even intravenously. Intravenous administration provides the fastest action, but it is difficult to control blood glucose levels. Therefore, subcutaneous administration into the subcutaneous fat is often preferable due to easier control and predictability of the effect.
As for IGF-1, although it can be administered both subcutaneously and intramuscularly, some studies suggest that intramuscular administration may be more effective in stimulating muscle growth. However, this issue requires additional research and depends on many factors, including the specific drug and individual characteristics of the body.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is also administered both subcutaneously and intramuscularly. Both methods are effective.
It is very important to remember one important point: you should not inject anabolic steroids into the same place all the time. This can lead to atrophy of the subcutaneous fat and the formation of seals, which is not only unaesthetic, but can also cause discomfort. It is better to alternate injection sites.

Tumors, Abscesses, and Hematomas
Unfortunately, intramuscular injections can cause complications such as abscesses, hematomas, and infiltrates (often mistakenly called tumors). Let's look at these problems in more detail, adding some clarifying information to your words.
Abscesses are purulent tissue inflammations that most often occur due to infection. The main causes are: non-sterile instruments (needles, syringes), improper treatment of the injection site, use of expired or counterfeit drugs that may contain harmful impurities. In such cases, the body reacts to the injected substance as a foreign body, forming a protective capsule to prevent the spread of infection. Treatment of abscesses usually requires surgical intervention to remove purulent contents and subsequent antibiotic therapy. The use of electrophoresis and compresses can be an additional measure, but will not replace the main treatment.
Hematomas are accumulations of blood in tissues that occur due to damage to blood vessels during injection. In most cases, small hematomas resolve on their own. However, repeated injection into the hematoma area may worsen the situation and provoke inflammation. To treat small hematomas, it is recommended to apply a cold compress on the first day and a warm one on subsequent days. Ointments and gels with anti-inflammatory action can also be effective.
Infiltrates are seals at the injection site that can occur due to slow absorption of the drug, a reaction to its components, or due to improper injection technique. Unlike an abscess, an infiltrate does not contain pus. Treatment of infiltrates includes the use of thermal procedures (compresses, ointments), physiotherapy procedures (electrophoresis).

Self-administration of Intramuscular Roids
Self-administration of intramuscular medications is a procedure that requires maximum care and knowledge of the technique. Remember that this is not safe and it is better to contact a medical professional. However, if you are absolutely confident in your actions and have the necessary skills, the instructions below can help you. But remember, I am not responsible for any possible complications!
- Preparation - first of all, make sure that you have the right drug and dosage prescribed by your doctor. Ampoules with medication are usually marked for easy opening. Use a sterile marker or a special device to avoid cuts. Dissolve powdered drugs strictly according to the instructions.
- Sterility - wash your hands thoroughly with soap and treat them with an antiseptic. Use sterile gloves. Disinfect the injection site with an alcohol solution, moving the napkin from the center to the periphery.
- Drawing up the medication - draw the medication into the syringe, making sure that there are no air bubbles in it. Close the needle with a cap.
- Selecting the injection site - the gluteal muscle (upper outer quadrant) or the anterolateral thigh are most often chosen for self-administration. These sites have sufficient muscle thickness and minimal risk of damage to nerves and large vessels. The injection site must be disinfected.
- Inserting the needle - relax the muscle. Insert the needle with a quick movement at an angle of 90 degrees, 2/3 of its length.
- Intramuscular injection - slowly inject the medication, pressing the syringe plunger.
- Removing the needle - after the medication has been fully injected, slowly remove the needle and apply sterile cotton wool to the injection site to stop possible bleeding. Massage the injection site a little.
- Disposal - dispose of used syringes and needles in a special container for medical waste.
Additional tips:
- Before the injection, you can apply an ointment with lidocaine to reduce pain.
- If you feel severe pain, do not continue the injection.
- If complications occur (pain, swelling, redness, pus), consult a doctor immediately.

What Complications Can Occur?
Intramuscular injections, despite their apparent simplicity, are associated with the risk of various complications. It is important to understand that proper technique and hygiene are the key to minimizing these risks. Let's take a closer look at possible complications:
1. Complications related to the choice of injection site:
- Incorrect choice of injection site can lead to damage to blood vessels, causing hematomas (accumulation of blood) or even more serious bleeding. Symptoms: pain, swelling, bruising.
- In some cases, the needle can damage the nerve, causing pain, numbness, paresthesia (impaired sensitivity) in the area innervated by the nerve. Symptoms: sharp pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness.
- If the needle is inserted too deeply, the periosteum (outer layer of the bone) can be damaged. This causes severe pain and may lead to inflammation. Symptoms: severe pain at the injection site, swelling.
2. Complications associated with poor hygiene (we partially mentioned it earlier):
- Infiltrate (we discussed before). This is a painful lump at the injection site, often accompanied by reddening of the skin and a local increase in temperature. The cause is the introduction of an infection.
- Abscess - a more serious complication, which is a purulent inflammation of the tissue. Softening in the center of the lump is typical. Requires immediate medical intervention.
- Phlegmon - the spread of the purulent process beyond the injection site. A very dangerous complication, requires immediate medical attention.
3. Complications associated with errors in technique:
- Needle breakage can occur with a sudden movement, muscle tension, or when using a blunt needle. Requires immediate removal of the needle fragment.
- Injection of the drug into a blood vessel may cause systemic reactions, including shock.
- Injection of the drug into an artery may cause tissue necrosis.
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