Prosthetics

Illustration by Samuel Luke Art

Illustration by Samuel Luke Art

For some trans and gender diverse people, the use of prosthetics, or particular gear for gender expression, can help with feeling more comfortable, affirmed, attractive, or just more like ourselves.

Prosthetics like packers, Stand To Pee devices (STPs), and breast forms can be used or worn, or simply just experimented with. There’s no right or wrong way to feel in your body, or how you want it to be seen by others. Using a prosthetic doesn’t mean you need to identify in a particular way either.

A packer is a realistic or semi-realistic looking penis made out of material like silicone (or even just a rolled up sock). It should be soft enough to sit comfortably against the body.

Packing is about the shape it creates, or about feeling comfortable and confident, or just because you want to.

There are many different styles of packer, with a variety of sizes, skin tones, shapes and firmness levels available. When buying a packer, buy what feels most comfortable to you.

When it comes to wearing a packer go with your gut! Avoid going too small or too big based on what others may say, you’re the one wearing it anyway!

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Packers

People of all genders can pack, and packing doesn’t make anyone more masculine or manly then someone who doesn’t. It’s all about personal choice.

While wearing a packer or a pack and play, it can be helpful to wear snug underwear, or undies that are specifically designed to hold a packer.

A “pack and play” is a packer that can also be flexed to stay erect for sex. These are sometimes known as ‘2 in 1’s’ (for packing and playing) or ‘3 in 1’s’ (for packing, playing and also peeing). The sort of packer to get depends on what you want to use it for, the size and shape that works best (both visually and to fit against your body), and what you can afford.

As with all synthetic things, it’s important to make sure you keep them clean and hygienic. Packers are often right up against a pretty intimate part of the body, and so require the same love and care as anything else you might have in or near your bits.

If it’s made of silicone, boil it regularly and make sure it’s completely dry before putting away, this avoids dust sticking to it. If it’s made from another material, wash it gently with soap and water. A sock? Replace it with a fresh one every day. Keeping your packer clean will also ensure it lasts longer.

Looking after your packer is a good safe sex practice, and most packers can be cleaned and looked after just like sex toys, including using condoms for any insertive sex, and using an antibacterial solution like Viraclean to sterilise them. You can find out more about this on our sexual health page.

STPs

STPs, or stand to pee devices, do exactly what they say on the tin. They’re designed so that people with vulvas can urinate while standing up, no matter what gender they are. Some are designed to be disposable, and others are reusable and can be cleaned between uses.

It is handy to practice in the shower before debuting your new STP in a pub bathroom or on the side of an outback road. Some people find they can use STPs easily or with a bit of practice, and others may find they don’t work at all, and that’s okay.

Breast forms / padding

Illustration by Grace Crowley

Illustration by Grace Crowley

Bra inserts and breast forms are available from a lot of lingerie and underwear retailers, and are often either made of fabric or silicone. They can range in size from quite small, intended to help push up existing breast tissue, or medium-to-large, with the intention to fill the entire bra cup. Full coverage inserts are also available at many places online at reasonable prices.

You can also use home made padding, like a pair of socks balled up, or a handful of tissues, but they are probably going to be less comfortable, and may not appear smooth from the outside.

People of all genders can use breast forms, and wearing them doesn’t make someone more feminine than someone who doesn’t.

As with all synthetic things, it’s important to make sure you keep them clean, not just because it’s a great thing to do, but they’ll also last longer.