Tucking

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Tucking is a technique whereby an individual hides the crotch bulge of their penis and scrotum so that they are not conspicuous through clothing.

Contents

The practice is most commonly employed by men, transgender women, as well as non-binary people who are assigned male and men who do drag, or otherwise desire a more androgynous appearance. There are fertility-related side-effects to tucking, such as a reduced sperm count. [1] Some types of clothing, such as gaffs and boxers are purposefully designed to conceal the crotch bulge.

Methods

One method of tucking involves pulling the penis backwards in between the legs while simultaneously pushing the testicles up into the inguinal canal. [2] In order to secure this position in place, some practitioners may use especially tight undergarments and a leotard that has a strap. [3] Another practice is the flattening or binding by using tape to fasten the genitalia along the perineum and if possible in between the buttocks. There are also improvised or home-made contrivances whereby an elastic waistband is cut off from an existing garment and then a pouch placed along the middle to then be pulled up. [4]

Some people use purpose-made panty-like garments, often called gaffs, that serve to hide the genitalia and provide a feminine flat and smooth crotch area. [5]

Other

The practice of tucking is also observed among men for reasons other than appearing female, done in different manners. [6] Some cisgender men do it because they have dysmorphophobia with regards to their genital bulge.[ citation needed ] For other men, it is due to feeling embarrassment, while others do it to hide an erection, [7] to "not scare women" out of a sense of prudishness or phallophobia [8] or because the bulge is prominent at an inappropriate moment. [9] Methods of tucking include placing the penis behind the waistband sometimes colloquially referred to as uptuck [10] while some men may wear purposefully designed compressing underwear. [11] Variations of tucking may be used by macrophallic men when they perceive their crotch bulge to have an obscene appearance. [12] There are some types of boxer shorts and boxer briefs that are designed to conceal the male crotch bulge, such as bloxers. [13] [14]

Health effects

Placing testicles closer to the body increases their regulating temperature. This causes heat stress on the sperm inside the testicles, often leading to premature death of the sperm, and overall lower sperm count. [15] [16]

In rare cases, tucking has led to testicular torsion. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boy</span> Young male human

A boy is a young male human. The term is commonly used for a child or an adolescent. When a male human reaches adulthood, he is usually described as a man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Testicular torsion</span> Medical condition

Testicular torsion occurs when the spermatic cord twists, cutting off the blood supply to the testicle. The most common symptom in children is sudden, severe testicular pain. The testicle may be higher than usual in the scrotum and vomiting may occur. In newborns, pain is often absent and instead the scrotum may become discolored or the testicle may disappear from its usual place.

Phalloplasty is the construction or reconstruction of a penis or the artificial modification of the penis by surgery. The term is also occasionally used to refer to penis enlargement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epididymal hypertension</span> Condition that arises during male sexual arousal when seminal fluid is not ejaculated

Epididymal hypertension (EH), informally referred to as blue balls for males or blue vulva for females, is a harmless but uncomfortable sensation in the genital regions during a prolonged state of sexual arousal. It usually resolves within hours unless relieved through an orgasm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boxer shorts</span> Mens loose-fitting underpants

Boxer shorts are a type of undergarment typically worn by men. The term has been used in English since 1944 for all-around-elastic shorts, so named after the shorts worn by boxers, for whom unhindered leg movement ("footwork") is very important. Boxers come in a variety of styles and design but are characterized by their loose fit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boxer briefs</span> Type of form-fitting underpants for men

Boxer briefs are a hybrid type of men's undergarment which are long in the leg, similar to boxer shorts, but tight-fitting like briefs. They emerged as a style in the 1990s and are commonly worn for sports and as every-day underwear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Testicular atrophy</span> Reduction in the size and function of the testicles

Testicular atrophy is a medical condition in which one or both testicles diminish in size and may be accompanied by reduced testicular function. Testicular atrophy is not related to the temporary shrinkage of the surrounding scrotum, which might occur in response to cold temperature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Varicocele</span> Abnormal enlargement of the pampiniform plexus veins in the genitals

A varicocele is, in a man, an abnormal enlargement of the pampiniform venous plexus in the scrotum; in a woman, it is an abnormal painful swelling to the embryologically identical pampiniform venous plexus; it is more commonly called pelvic compression syndrome. In the male varicocele, this plexus of veins drains blood from the testicles back to the heart. The vessels originate in the abdomen and course down through the inguinal canal as part of the spermatic cord on their way to the testis. Varicoceles occur in around 15% to 20% of all men. The incidence of varicocele increase with age.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scrotoplasty</span> Type of surgery to create or repair the scrotum

Scrotoplasty, also known as oscheoplasty, is a type of surgery to create or repair the scrotum. Scientific research for male genital plastic surgery such as scrotoplasty began to develop in the early 1900s. The development of testicular implants began in 1940 made from materials outside of what is used today. Today, testicular implants are created from saline or gel filled silicone rubber. There are a variety of reasons why scrotoplasty is done. Some transgender men and intersex or non-binary people who were assigned female at birth may choose to have this surgery to create a scrotum, as part of their transition. Other reasons for this procedure include addressing issues with the scrotum due to birth defects, aging, or medical conditions such as infection. For newborn males with penoscrotal defects such as webbed penis, a condition in which the penile shaft is attached to the scrotum, scrotoplasty can be performed to restore normal appearance and function. For older male adults, the scrotum may extend with age. Scrotoplasty or scrotal lift can be performed to remove the loose, excess skin. Scrotoplasty can also be performed for males who undergo infection, necrosis, traumatic injury of the scrotum.

Anejaculation is the pathological inability to ejaculate despite an erection in males, with (orgasmic) or without (anorgasmic) orgasm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Testicular sperm extraction</span> Surgical procedure

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) is a surgical procedure in which a small portion of tissue is removed from the testicle and any viable sperm cells from that tissue are extracted for use in further procedures, most commonly intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as part of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). TESE is often recommended to patients who cannot produce sperm by ejaculation due to azoospermia.

In the context of gender, passing is when someone is perceived as a gender they identify as or are attempting to be seen as, rather than their sex assigned at birth. Historically, this was common among women who served in occupations where women were prohibited, such as in combat roles in the military. For transgender people, it is when the person is perceived as cisgender instead of the sex they were assigned at birth. For example, someone who is a transgender man is passing if he is perceived as a cisgender man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Packing (phallus)</span> Wearing padding in the pants or underwear to give the appearance of having a penis

Packing is wearing padding or a phallic object in the front of the pants or underwear to give the appearance of having a penis or bulge. Packing is commonly practiced by trans men. People who cross-dress as male may also "pack".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waistband</span> Clothing component that encircles the waist, especially of a skirt or trousers

A waistband is a strip of material that is either elastic or some other confining fabric that encircles the waist, usually as a component of clothing such as skirts, trousers, shorts, swimsuits, and undergarments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Briefs</span> Type of undergarment and swimwear

Briefs are a type of short, form-fitting underwear and swimwear, as opposed to styles where material extends down the thighs. Briefs have various different styles, usually with a waistband attached to fabric that runs along the pelvis to the crotch and buttocks, and are worn by both men and women. Swim briefs are a variation used as swimwear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human penis</span> Human male external reproductive organ

In human anatomy, the penis is an external male sex organ that serves as a passage for urine during urination and semen during ejaculation. The main parts are the root, body, the epithelium of the penis including the shaft skin, and the foreskin covering the glans. The body of the penis is made up of three columns of tissue: two corpora cavernosa on the dorsal side and corpus spongiosum between them on the ventral side. The urethra passes through the prostate gland, where it is joined by the ejaculatory ducts, and then through the penis. The urethra goes across the corpus spongiosum and ends at the tip of the glans as the opening, the urinary meatus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaff (clothing)</span> Garment that hides a penile bulge

A gaff is a piece of fabric, usually augmented by an elastic such as a rubber band, that is designed to hide a penile bulge and make the groin appear smoother and flatter. It is usually worn by people who were assigned-male-at-birth (AMAB) who wish to wear feminine clothing, including trans women, gender-non-conforming, and other nonbinary individuals. Since the 2010s, underwear manufacturers have begun to design underwear with the same function as gaffs. Home-made gaffs are often made by cutting the ends off a single sock, then placing a pair of elastic loops through them. The main function of gaffs is to hide a crotch bulge

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erection</span> Physiological phenomenon involving the hardening and enlargement of the penis

An erection is a physiological phenomenon in which the penis becomes firm, engorged, and enlarged. Penile erection is the result of a complex interaction of psychological, neural, vascular, and endocrine factors, and is often associated with sexual arousal, sexual attraction or libido, although erections can also be spontaneous. The shape, angle, and direction of an erection vary considerably between humans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scrotum</span> Sac of skin that protects the testicles

In most terrestrial mammals, the scrotum or scrotal sac is a part of the external male genitalia located at the base of the penis. It consists of a sac of skin containing the external spermatic fascia, testicles, epididymides, and vasa deferentia. The scrotum will usually tighten when exposed to cold temperatures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orchiectomy</span> Surgical removal of one or both testicles

Orchiectomy is a surgical procedure in which one or both testicles are removed. The surgery can be performed for various reasons:

References

  1. ↑ Trussler, James T.; Carrasquillo, Robert J. (2020). "Cryptozoospermia Associated With Genital Tucking Behavior in a Transwoman". Reviews in Urology. 22 (4): 170–173. PMC   8058914 . PMID   33927575.
  2. ↑ Pyne, Jake (2011). "UNSUITABLE BODIES: Trans People and Cisnormativity in Shelter Services". Canadian Social Work Review. 28 (1): 129–137. JSTOR   41658838.
  3. ↑ Filippo, Maria San (2 July 2016). "Female Trouble: Representing Transwomen in The Danish Girl and The New Girlfriend". Journal of Bisexuality. 16 (3): 403–407. doi:10.1080/15299716.2016.1199843.
  4. ↑ Conard, L.E. (June 2017). "Supporting and caring for transgender and gender nonconforming youth in the urology practice". Journal of Pediatric Urology. 13 (3): 300–304. doi:10.1016/j.jpurol.2017.02.019. PMID   28645619.
  5. ↑ "Penis - methods of concealment and obtaining a 'flat-look' for pre-op male-to-female transgender people Archived 8 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine ", Samantha Johnson, Transgender Zone
  6. ↑ Willson, Jacki; McCartney, Nicola (June 2017). "A look at 'fishy drag' and androgynous fashion: Exploring the border spaces beyond gender-normative deviance for the straight, cisgendered woman" (PDF). Critical Studies in Fashion & Beauty. 8 (1): 99–122. doi:10.1386/csfb.8.1.99_1.
  7. ↑ Phillips, Harry. "New erection-hiding underwear unveiled". Health24. Archived from the original on 19 July 2022.
  8. ↑ Shawver, Lois (1996). "Sexual Modesty, the Etiquette of Disregard, and the Question of Gays and Lesbians in the Military". In Herek, Gregory M.; Jobe, Jared B.; Carney, Ralph M. (eds.). Out in Force: Sexual Orientation and the Military. University of Chicago Press. pp. 226–44. ISBN   978-0-226-40048-8.
  9. ↑ "10 Weird Things About Having an Erection, According to Guys, Because You Can Wiggle It". 9 June 2015. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  10. ↑ "The World's Most Dependable Boner-Hiding Technique Failed This Man in Spectacular Fashion". 21 November 2014. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  11. ↑ "These New Boxers Will Hide Your Untimely Erection". 15 July 2015. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  12. ↑ Lever, Janet; Frederick, David A.; Peplau, Letitia Anne (July 2006). "Does size matter? Men's and women's views on penis size across the lifespan". Psychology of Men & Masculinity. 7 (3): 129–143. doi:10.1037/1524-9220.7.3.129.
  13. ↑ Blanco F., José (March 2014). "Revealing myself: A phenomenological approach to my underwear choices through the years". Critical Studies in Men's Fashion. 1 (2): 117–131. doi:10.1386/csmf.1.2.117_1.
  14. ↑ "Bloxers Claim To Be The New Boxers That Will Conceal Your Boners". HuffPost UK . 14 July 2015. Archived from the original on 18 July 2022.
  15. ↑ dickey, lore m.; Ducheny, Kelly M.; Ehrbar, Randall D. (June 2016). "Family creation options for transgender and gender nonconforming people". Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. 3 (2): 173–179. doi:10.1037/sgd0000178.
  16. ↑ de Nie, Iris; Asseler, Joyce; Meißner, Andreas; Voorn-de Warem, Ilona A. C.; Kostelijk, E. Hanna; den Heijer, Martin; Huirne, Judith; van Mello, Norah M. (March 2022). "A cohort study on factors impairing semen quality in transgender women". American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 226 (3): 390.e1–390.e10. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.10.020 . PMID   34688596. S2CID   239532503.
  17. ↑ Debarbo, Clarence Joy M. (November 2020). "Rare cause of testicular torsion in a transwoman: A case report". Urology Case Reports. 33: 101422. doi:10.1016/j.eucr.2020.101422. PMC   7574273 . PMID   33102119.
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