PCOS Treatment The Best Injection Sites for an Intramuscular Injection By Nicole Galan, RN Nicole Galan, RN Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Nicole Galan, RN, is a registered nurse and the author of "The Everything Fertility Book." Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 21, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Lauren Schlanger, MD Medically reviewed by Lauren Schlanger, MD LinkedIn Lauren Schlanger, MD, is a board-certified primary care physician with a focus on women's and transgender health. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print You may need to give yourself shots in certain situations. Examples of injections that are self-administered at home include assisted fertility treatment, gender-affirming hormone therapy, vitamin b12 supplementation, and some disease-modifying treatments for multiple sclerosis. When you give yourself a shot, it's important to choose the right injection site on your body. This will help ensure that the medicine is absorbed the way it should be. It will also help prevent injury. IAN HOOTON / Getty Images Fertility shots are given intramuscularly (IM). This means the shot is given in the muscle. Your muscles are located under a layer of insulating fat that's under your skin. At first, the idea of giving yourself shots may seem overwhelming. With preparation and practice, though, it can become quick and painless. This article looks at the best sites for intramuscular injection. It also discusses the right injection technique and possible side effects. The Right Way to Give an Intramuscular Injection Where Are the Four Injection Sites? There are four sites you can use to give yourself an IM shot. These sites have large, easy-to-locate muscles with little fatty tissue. Upper Arm Your deltoid muscle is in your upper arm, just below your shoulder. To find this site, feel for the bone at the top of your arm where your arm meets your shoulder. The injection site is about 2 inches below that spot. This should be equal to two or three finger widths. Make sure to give the injection in the center of this part of your upper arm. Note that it can be difficult to give yourself a shot in this site. You may need help from a partner. Thigh Your vastus lateralis and rectus femoris muscles are located in your thigh. To find these muscles, imagine lines dividing the front of your thigh into thirds from the top to the bottom. To inject into the vastus lateralis, the needle should go into the middle third on the outer portion of your thigh. To inject into the rectus femoris muscle, the needle should go in the middle third at the front of your thigh. Overcoming Your Fears of Self-Injection Hip Your ventrogluteal muscle is located near your hip. For injections in this site, you'll need a partner to do the injection for you. To find this site, lie on your back and have your partner stand facing your hips. Have your partner place the heel of their hand so that their wrist is lined up with your thigh. Your partner's thumb should be pointed toward your groin and their fingers should be pointed toward your head. They should be able to feel the border of a bony area with their ring finger and pinkie. Next, your partner should spread their pointer finger and middle finger into a V and give the injection between those fingers. Buttocks The dorsogluteal muscle is the large muscle located in your buttocks. This injection site should also be accessed with the help of a partner. To find this site, divide one butt cheek into fourths, with two fourths side by side at the bottom and two on top. You will always want to give the injection in the outer, upper quadrant, almost toward the hip. Learning Injection Technique Your healthcare provider will give you a prescription for your medication. You will also receive a prescription for the syringes and needles. A nurse or other healthcare provider can help you learn how to give yourself shots. You may be asked to watch a video or practice on a doll. It is important to make sure you are comfortable with the technique before you start doing it yourself. There are a few ways to make sure your injections are safe and painless. This includes: Numbing the area beforehand with iceSelecting your injection site carefully Make sure to carefully feel for your selected muscle before giving yourself an injection. Find a comfortable position and try to relax your muscle as much as possible. How to Choose the Right Needle to Give Yourself an Injection It is a good idea to alternate sites with each injection. This will help you avoid swelling and soreness. Some people may have an injury, wound, or other reason to avoid certain injection sites. If this is you, your healthcare provider may recommend a particular site for your shots. Recap A nurse or other healthcare provider can help you learn to give yourself a shot. Make sure you are comfortable with the technique before you try doing it yourself. Possible Side Effects of Injections Watch out for side effects. These could include: PainRednessSwellingWarmthPus or drainage at the injection site Report any concerns to your healthcare provider or nurse. Summary There are four sites on your body that can be used to give yourself an intramuscular injection. These include the upper arm, thigh, hip, and buttocks. Make sure you are comfortable with the injection technique before you start giving yourself shots. A nurse or other healthcare provider can show you how to do it. Look out for side effects and report any concerns to your healthcare provider. A Word From Verywell Not all injections are intramuscular. Some conditions require other types of injections, such as subcutaneous. Subcutaneous injections are given in the fat layer just under the skin. Conditions that may require subcutaneous injections include: Hormone conditionsMultiple sclerosisDiabetesNutritional deficiencies Frequently Asked Questions What is an intramuscular injection? An intramuscular (IM) injection is the injection of a medication into a muscle. Large muscles have more blood vessels in them than skin tissue, and in some circumstances, IM injections enable faster absorption of the drug than subcutaneous injections. Where do you give an intramuscular injection? The best sites for an intramuscular injection are:Deltoid muscle of the shoulderVastus lateralis muscle on the outside of the thighRectus femoris muscle on the front of the thighDorsogluteal muscle on the upper buttockVentrogluteal muscle on the hip just above the dorsogluteal muscle How do you give an intramuscular injection? To give an intramuscular injection, either to yourself or someone else:Gather your supplies.Wash your hands.Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab.Remove the cap from the needle.Push the needle through the rubber seal on top of the vial.Draw back the plunger to fill the syringe.Withdraw the needle from the vial.Remove any air bubbles by gently tapping the syringe and compressing the plunger.Holding the syringe like a dart, position the needle at a 90-degree angle to the injection site.Insert the needle with a brisk, controlled motion.Compress the plunger to inject the drug.Remove the needle.Apply pressure to the injection site with some gauze.Discard the needle and syringe safely. When is an intramuscular injection avoided? If you're taking blood thinners, or have a bleeding disorder or low platelet count, your doctor might avoid prescribing intramuscular injections for you due to the risk of bleeding. They may also not be appropriate for people with hypovolemic shock or muscle wasting as these conditions may affect drug absorption. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Ogston-Tuck S. Intramuscular injection technique: an evidence-based approach. Nurs Stand. 2014;29(4):52-9. doi:10.7748/ns.29.4.52.e9183 Elgellaie A, Ashcroft E, Larkin TA. 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