What's the Deal with Urethral Sounding?
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Curious about urethral sounding, but don't know if it's safe to do? If your answer is yes, read this article to find out more!
Urethral sounding is an increasingly-popular sexual practice that involves inserting a glass or metal object into the urethra. The aim is to enhance sexual pleasure, and explore new sensations. However, while there are a lot of toys and resources available to start your sounding journey, it is important to be aware of the potential risks, as well as how to sound safely.
What's up with Urethral Sounding?
Medically, urethral sounding refers to inserting an object into the urethra for urological surgery.
Beyond the scope of medical practice, urethral sounding is common among individuals for a variety of reasons - with the most popular one being that it heightens sexual pleasure and arousal. According to medical literature, there's a high risk of injury associated with the practice, and one of the most common reasons for an ER visit is when sounding devices can disappear deep into the urethra and no longer be retrieved!
Introducing objects into this sensitive passageway always poses a health risk. It is important to make sure that items used for sounding are body-safe, purchased from reputable businesses, and are cleaned properly after use. It is also super important to use lubrications - ideally water-based, as it is usually the least irritating on sensitive areas.
Potential Health Complications of Urethral Sounding
Despite its popularity, health specialists have seen an increase in cases of urethral infections, complaints, and sexual function issues as the practice becomes mainstream.
When you insert objects into your urethra, you run the risk of injury. There’s variability in the techniques and types of tools people use in recreational urethral sounding. This puts them at risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs), urethral strictures, and other injuries.
It is important to NOT use any ordinary household objects for sounding, and to only use shatter-proof, body-safe tools designed to be put in the urethra.
NEVER use objects such as pens, pencils, or wires; among others. of course. These can be lodged in your urethra, which will result in a nasty trip to the Emergency Room!
This sounds scary - how do I do it safely?
Don't worry! While the risks to be aware of are outlined above, there are ways to perform sounding in a way that minimizes danger.
Preparation
It is essential to clean and sterilize the urethral sounds in boiling water or betadine solution before use.
A person should thoroughly wash their hands and genitals with gentle, unscented soap. They can also use surgical gloves for added protection.
The individual should choose a comfortable position, which can be sitting, standing, or lying down.
Apply lubricating gel to the genitals and sound.
People with a penis should insert a sound while the penis is flaccid, as it may be uncomfortable and difficult to apply a sound to a fully erect penis. For people with a vulva, opening the labia may provide greater access to the urethral opening.
Insertion
A person should try to relax before carefully and slowly inserting the lubricated sound. They can insert the sound by using one hand to open the urethral hole and the other to guide the sound gently inside.
It is essential not to force the sound if there is pressure or resistance.
If there is pressure or resistance, or the sound is not going as deep as a person would like, they can switch to a smaller-sized sound. They can also gently remove the sound and add extra lube to it and the genital area.
Remember: Sound safely, and STOP if you feel any pain. If anything becomes lodged in your urethra, or if you have any bleeding or any other abnormal side effects, visit the Emergency Room immediately.
-> Find urethral sounds at the Art of Loving HERE
-> Find water-based lubricants at the Art of Loving HERE
Stay safe, and happy sounding!