Tucking is a common way for trans and non-binary people to obscure their external genitals. It involves sliding the testes into the inguinal canals, which are located at the front of the body.
Before you begin, shave everything that the tape will touch (including your balls). You’ll also need medical or sports-grade tape, as normal duct tape may damage sensitive skin.
Tape
Tucking requires a good amount of care. You want to avoid ripping or causing irritation, which could lead to infections. The best way to do this is to use medical tape. It’s available from most pharmacies or stores, and you can find illustrated tutorials online. The key is to carefully and gently guide your testicles back up into their sockets in the inguinal canals. It can take some patience to reach the right position, but you can get there with a little practice.
Once your testes are in place, pull on a pair of tight underwear or a gaff. This will reduce the risk of losing your balance while securing everything in place. It may also make it easier to secure the tape around your scrotum and penis. If you’re not comfortable doing this, a panty liner can be used instead. These can be found in the feminine care section of most stores.
You can also hide your testicles by placing a piece of tissue paper on top of them. If you don’t have any paper, you can use a clean, soft cotton object such as a baby washcloth or cut-up underwear. Once the paper is in place, you can put on your underwear or gaff and tuck the scrotum and penis. The process can be a bit longer, but it will look smooth once you’re finished.
Gaff
A gaff is a piece of fabric that helps trans femmes and drag performers achieve a flatter, more gender-affirming crotch contour. It can also help people feel more confident in places where they may be unsafe, such as schools or workplaces. It’s usually made of pantyhose and can be purchased online or at shops that cater to LGBTQIA folks. It’s important to practice tucking with a gaff in a safe, comfortable space at home before attempting it in public.
There are many ways to tuck your penis, but most involve shifting the testicles back into something called the inguinal canals, which are in the lower abdomen above and to the side of the scrotum. Using your index finger, find the area where the testicles drop out of this cavity and begin pushing them up and toward the body. This takes some time and can be uncomfortable, but you’ll get the hang of it after a while.
Some people secure the genitalia with tape, while others use a gaff to hold everything in place. Both options work well, but tucking with tape is less secure than using a gaff. It’s important to trim or shave your testicles before starting because the tape can irritate your skin. You should also avoid duct tape or other types of tape not intended for use on the skin.
Underwear
Tucking panties and gaffs can help gender-expansive folks, trans femmes, and drag queens feel more like their true selves by flattening the genital area. But tucking isn’t without its risks, so it’s important to follow general safety guidelines when you wear a tuck. This includes keeping the tuck on for no more than 8 hours and not sleeping with it. It’s also best to use breathable, loose clothing when tucking to keep the genitals from feeling constricted.
If you’re new to tucking, it’s best to start small and work your way up to wearing your tuck for longer periods of time. This helps your body adjust to the pressure and position of your tuck, which may cause some discomfort at first. It’s also a good idea to take some breaks from tucking to allow your body to heal and recuperate.
If you’re not comfortable with a full tuck, you can try a semi-tuck instead. To do this, find the spaces in your pelvic area that aren’t attached to your hip bones, and gently shift each of your testicles up into those spaces. If you’re uncomfortable with any pain or discomfort while tucking, listen to your body and stop doing it. You can always retuck later. If you’re still unsure, talk to a medical professional or a counselor who can answer your questions about tucking.
Safety
Penis tucking can be an effective and affirming form of self-care for many transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive people. However, it’s important to take certain safety measures into account before tucking. The genital area is delicate, and if the proper precautions aren’t taken, tucking can be dangerous.
While there’s little medical research on tucking, it’s generally considered safe and relatively painless, as long as the technique is used correctly. The basic method involves pushing the testicles up into the inguinal canals, which develop before birth and usually stay in place. Depending on the person, there are many different methods for doing this. Some people use tape (medical tape is recommended), while others rely on gaffs or tight underwear, and still others use both.
Whatever method is used, it’s important not to pull the tuck too hard, as this can damage tissue and cause discomfort. If the tuck is uncomfortable, or if there’s any pain at all, it’s best to stop and try again later.
Other safety considerations include not using duct tape or scotch tape, which can damage skin, and shaving carefully before tucking to reduce irritation. It’s also important to take regular breaks from tucking, and to always go to the bathroom before going back in, and to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Finally, because tucking can restrict blood flow to the dick, it’s a good idea to regularly check for signs of numbness or throbbing, which may indicate that circulation is being cut off and it’s time to untuck.
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