Sub Q injection help

[Dasein88]

I’m curious if people have any advice as far as how to do a sub Q injection that limits pain. I do injections in the abdomen area. Maybe I’m being kind of a baby, but I try to avoid sticking the needle in an area where it’s clear I’m hitting a nerve. Sometimes I find I am struggling for several minutes to find an area that doesn’t feel painful. For whatever reason, it doesn’t seem to penetrate the skin easily a lot of the time. I am using a 29 gauge.

 

[Cataceous]

I’m curious if people have any advice as far as how to do a sub Q injection that limits pain. I do injections in the abdomen area. Maybe I’m being kind of a baby, but I try to avoid sticking the needle in an area where it’s clear I’m hitting a nerve. Sometimes I find I am struggling for several minutes to find an area that doesn’t feel painful. For whatever reason, it doesn’t seem to penetrate the skin easily a lot of the time. I am using a 29 gauge.

You partly answered the question: Sometimes you do have to probe for a less sensitive spot. If there's a pattern to it I have not found it, even with more than 10k injections over the last few years. Most of the time there's a better spot even within the area that's been swabbed. But occasionally I need to start over. Sometimes it seems as though certain larger areas become sensitized and I need to leave them alone for a while. If nothing else helps then there are cold sprays or lidocaine sprays that can desensitize an area.

The penetration problem might be resolved by pinching the skin with your other hand, forcing the site to be firm so that the needle penetrates more readily instead of just pressing down the whole area. I do this routinely. It may also help to use smaller needles, depending on the injection sizes. I swear by 31 gauge needles.

 

[Vince]

I’m curious if people have any advice as far as how to do a sub Q injection that limits pain. I do injections in the abdomen area. Maybe I’m being kind of a baby, but I try to avoid sticking the needle in an area where it’s clear I’m hitting a nerve. Sometimes I find I am struggling for several minutes to find an area that doesn’t feel painful. For whatever reason, it doesn’t seem to penetrate the skin easily a lot of the time. I am using a 29 gauge.

When I do Sub-Q injections I like to do them in my love handles. That's what works best for me. I also do shallow IM injections in my shoulders and VG. I like to rotate because I do daily injections. I use an easy touch. 29g 1/2-in syringe.

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[WhiteMale]

Jab it in and only after the alcohol dissipates...fan or blow on the spot. If that Alc is still there it will sting no matter. Are you using a 29 or 31g needle? You do need to find a spot that works for you. Upper outer thigh is one of my faves.

 

[Snakedoc74]

All this advice is great. I was a needle-phobe when I started and here are my top tips:

-Use a luer lock syringe so that you can draw up with a 19-22g needle, then inject with a .5", 30-31g needle. 100 needles cost about $7 so it's worth it, saves time, and doesn't dull your injecting needle.
-Make sure the bevel is on the bottom (touches your skin first, so the needle can slide in easily).
-Make sure the alcohol is 100% dry (if there is pain in an injection with a 31g needle, it's likely the alcohol was still wet. I use a gauze pad each time to make sure. I've made this mistake a few times and it's like a hot poker!)
-Get your angle right. Too shallow and you'll get a lump right under the skin. Shoot for 45 degrees.
-I've tried love handles, but they tend to make me very sore afterwards...might be a personal thing. I've found an inch or two away from center works best.
--You can also try ventral gluteal, which is painless as well. .5" will either give you subQ or shallow IM.
-Inject slowly.
-Needle brand. I used Easy Touch for a year and would have some bad needles that either wouldn't puncture or would with pain. I just switched to Nipro and it is night and day! I literally do not feel even the initial prick. Same price but wildly superior.

I used to dread the injections, now I have fun with them trying to perfect my technique and efficiency. You'll get there and find the best locations/angles/tempos for you. But yes, dry that alcohol!

 

[madman]

All this advice is great. I was a needle-phobe when I started and here are my top tips:

-Use a luer lock syringe so that you can draw up with a 19-22g needle, then inject with a .5", 30-31g needle. 100 needles cost about $7 so it's worth it, saves time, and doesn't dull your injecting needle.
-Make sure the bevel is on the bottom (touches your skin first, so the needle can slide in easily).
-Make sure the alcohol is 100% dry (if there is pain in an injection with a 31g needle, it's likely the alcohol was still wet. I use a gauze pad each time to make sure. I've made this mistake a few times and it's like a hot poker!)
-Get your angle right. Too shallow and you'll get a lump right under the skin. Shoot for 45 degrees.
-I've tried love handles, but they tend to make me very sore afterwards...might be a personal thing. I've found an inch or two away from center works best.
--You can also try ventral gluteal, which is painless as well. .5" will either give you subQ or shallow IM.
-Inject slowly.
-Needle brand. I used Easy Touch for a year and would have some bad needles that either wouldn't puncture or would with pain. I just switched to Nipro and it is night and day! I literally do not feel even the initial prick. Same price but wildly superior.

I used to dread the injections, now I have fun with them trying to perfect my technique and efficiency. You'll get there and find the best locations/angles/tempos for you. But yes, dry that alcohol!

Would not even waste my time using a Luer-lock let alone 19-22G to draw.

Waste of medication.

Better off using an LDS insulin syringe (fixed needle) to draw/inject and even if you feel that the needle tip may be duller it would be slight and the pain would still be minimal especially when using 30-31G!

Anyone struggling with pain would have more to do with injection technique.

Puncturing the skin swiftly is key here especially if there is some slight dulling of the tip when using the same syringe.

I have been injecting for almost 9.5 years using an LDS insulin syringe 27-31G and always draw/inject using the same syringe.

My go to syringe is a 27G.

Majority of the time injections are smooth and pain free.

The only time I have experienced any pain is if I nick a blood vessel.

There is a company based in Canada that makes a 32G which would be great for anyone injecting strictly sub-q especially daily using low doses of the oily esterified T solution.

Post in thread 'Which Type of Needles for Luer Lock Syringes?'

Apr 11, 2026

Hello,

I could narrow down the syringe needed for TRT but I am having difficulty which needles are the correct ones for these syringes.
There are

• Hypodermic Needles
• Pen Needles
• Insulin Needles
• Blunt-Fill Needles

BOXXX!

Hypodermic needles are what you want as these are the standard detachable needles for syringes.

Forget wasting your time with the standard Luer-Lok or Slip-Tip syringes as you are going to be wasting some of your medication due to the dead space.

More importantly there is no need to use 22-25G syringes to draw/inject the oily solution as...

• madman

Thread 'The First 32g Insulin Syringe in Canada - DOMREX™ Insulin Syringes ultra-thin 32G needle'

Jan 30, 2026

Primo for injecting low volumes of the oily solution daily or EOD strictly sub-q!

Throw hCG in there too!

Will be coming out with a 1 mL (100 unit) and .5 mL (50 unit) syringe soon.




What sizes are available?

We currently offer a complete range of Domrex insulin syringes to suit every patient’s needs. Our 31G syringes are available in 0.3 ml, 0.5 ml, and 1 ml formats, with both 6 mm and 8 mm needle lengths.

For those seeking the ultimate in comfort, our new 32G ultra-thin syringes are available in 0.3 ml, also in 6 mm and 8 mm...

• madman
• syring; injection; t-therapy; sub-q
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Testosterone and Men's Health Articles

 

[Snakedoc74]

Would not even waste my time using a Luer-lock let alone 19-22G to draw.

Waste of medication.

Better off using an LDS insulin syringe (fixed needle) to draw/inject and even if you feel that the needle tip may be duller it would be slight and the pain would still be minimal especially when using 30-31G!

Anyone struggling with pain would have more to do with injection technique.

Puncturing the skin swiftly is key here especially if there is some slight dulling of the tip when using the same syringe.

I have been injecting for almost 9.5 years using an LDS insulin syringe 27-31G and always draw/inject using the same syringe.

My go to syringe is a 27G.

Majority of the time injections are smooth and pain free.

The only time I have experienced any pain is if I nick a blood vessel.

There is a company based in Canada that makes a 32G which would be great for anyone injecting strictly sub-q especially daily using low doses of the oily esterified T solution.

Post in thread 'Which Type of Needles for Luer Lock Syringes?'

Apr 11, 2026

Hello,

I could narrow down the syringe needed for TRT but I am having difficulty which needles are the correct ones for these syringes.
There are

• Hypodermic Needles
• Pen Needles
• Insulin Needles
• Blunt-Fill Needles

BOXXX!

Hypodermic needles are what you want as these are the standard detachable needles for syringes.

Forget wasting your time with the standard Luer-Lok or Slip-Tip syringes as you are going to be wasting some of your medication due to the dead space.

More importantly there is no need to use 22-25G syringes to draw/inject the oily solution as...

• madman

Thread 'The First 32g Insulin Syringe in Canada - DOMREX™ Insulin Syringes ultra-thin 32G needle'

Jan 30, 2026

Primo for injecting low volumes of the oily solution daily or EOD strictly sub-q!

Throw hCG in there too!

Will be coming out with a 1 mL (100 unit) and .5 mL (50 unit) syringe soon.




What sizes are available?

We currently offer a complete range of Domrex insulin syringes to suit every patient’s needs. Our 31G syringes are available in 0.3 ml, 0.5 ml, and 1 ml formats, with both 6 mm and 8 mm needle lengths.

For those seeking the ultimate in comfort, our new 32G ultra-thin syringes are available in 0.3 ml, also in 6 mm and 8 mm...

• madman
• syring; injection; t-therapy; sub-q
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Testosterone and Men's Health Articles

Not sure how it’s wasting medicine. Not a ton of loss held in the needle—I guess if cost is a huge concern. I only draw up what I use. OP had an issue with pain. Using a fresh 31g will be less painful than a used 27g. But to each his own.

 

[madman]

Not sure how it’s wasting medicine. Not a ton of loss held in the needle—I guess if cost is a huge concern. I only draw up what I use. OP had an issue with pain. Using a fresh 31g will be less painful than a used 27g. But to each his own.

They are called LDS for a reason.


“ Fixed insulin type syringes have no void space at the point where the needle joins the syringe, and so are known as Low Dead Space Syringes, which is sometimes abbreviated in the literature to LDSS. They are made like this so that the full accurate dose is delivered, and there is no waste”

 

[phalloguy100]

I’m curious if people have any advice as far as how to do a sub Q injection that limits pain. I do injections in the abdomen area. Maybe I’m being kind of a baby, but I try to avoid sticking the needle in an area where it’s clear I’m hitting a nerve. Sometimes I find I am struggling for several minutes to find an area that doesn’t feel painful. For whatever reason, it doesn’t seem to penetrate the skin easily a lot of the time. I am using a 29 gauge.

Try the lower part of the abdomen, closer to the waist line, and larger gauge like 25 or 26. That part isn't painful for me and I use 25g to inject. I rotate between that and the butt (upper outside quadrant as if you were doing IM), using an auto injector, and that I don't feel at all not even the prick!

I have two auto injectors. Inject Ease works well but you have to push the plunger yourself. Autoject 2 pushes the plunger for you but you are limited to TB or insulin syringes (thinner, 1mL max). Both are great options since I also don't like needles or blood! It's just a matter of dexterity especially for the shots on the butt. Both take care of pushing the needle in so you won't have to worry about it not penetrating the skin.

One final tip - make sure the alcohol dries on the skin really, really well before injecting. Give it at least 30 seconds. Otherwise, you tend to feel the sting, which you might register as pain.

I hope that helps!