IM Protocol
Testosterone Cypionate — Intramuscular Injection
Your injection guide
Step 1
Identify Your Syringe
Confirm you have the correct syringe type before preparing your injection.
Insulin Syringe
GAUGE 29g–31g
LENGTH 5/16" (8mm)
Intramuscular Syringe
GAUGE 23g–25g
LENGTH 1 inch
1mL or 3mL barrel with detachable needle. Draw with an 18g needle, inject with a 23g–25g needle.
Step 2
Injection Sites
Select an intramuscular injection site from the recommended locations below.
Ventrogluteal
RecommendedUpper lateral hip, between the iliac crest and greater trochanter
Preferred site. Thick muscle mass with minimal nerves and blood vessels. Place palm on greater trochanter, index finger on anterior iliac spine, spread middle finger posteriorly — inject in the V formed.
Vastus Lateralis
RecommendedOuter middle third of the thigh, between knee and hip
Preferred alternative. Easy self-injection site. Divide the thigh into thirds — inject into the outer middle third.
Deltoid
AcceptableLateral deltoid muscle, approximately 2–3 fingerbreadths below the acromion process
Acceptable for volumes under 1mL only. Smaller muscle mass limits injection volume.
Dorsogluteal
AcceptableUpper outer quadrant of the buttock
Acceptable but use caution. Proximity to the sciatic nerve requires careful landmarking. Ventrogluteal is preferred over this site.
Step 3
Needle Angle
Insert needle at 90 degrees to the skin surface. Do not pinch the skin for intramuscular injections in these sites.
ANGLE
90°
SKIN PINCH
No
ASPIRATION
Current evidence does not support routine aspiration for intramuscular injections in the ventrogluteal or vastus lateralis sites. This is consistent with CDC guidelines and current nursing literature.
Video Guide
Demonstration
Video demonstration
Filming in production. Contact your care team for a live walkthrough of this injection technique.
Site Rotation
Rotation Tracker
Rotate injection site with each administration. Alternate between left and right sides weekly. Cycle through recommended sites to allow tissue recovery.
| Week | Site | Side | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ventrogluteal | Left | ||
| 2 | Vastus Lateralis | Right | ||
| 3 | Ventrogluteal | Left | ||
| 4 | Vastus Lateralis | Right | ||
| 5 | Ventrogluteal | Left | ||
| 6 | Vastus Lateralis | Right | ||
| 7 | Ventrogluteal | Left | ||
| 8 | Vastus Lateralis | Right |
Fill in the date and any observations (soreness, bleeding, etc.) after each injection.
Troubleshooting
Common Questions
Need help right now
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. Do not delay emergency care to contact your clinic.
Acknowledgment
Confirm Review
STORAGE
Store at controlled room temperature (68–77°F / 20–25°C). Protect from light. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
FREQUENCY
Administer per your prescribed protocol. Your prescriber will specify your injection frequency.
These instructions are provided for active Bloom Metabolics patients receiving care under medical supervision. Protocols are individualized based on your prescriber's evaluation. This content is educational and does not replace direct clinical guidance. Do not use these instructions to administer medications obtained outside of a physician-prescribed protocol. If you have questions about your specific protocol, contact your Bloom Metabolics care team before injecting.
Content reviewed by Clinical Review Pending, MD on May 2, 2026. Version 1.0.0.