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Tucking for transgender and gender diverse people

Many people can conceal their genitals with a combination of high-elastic off-the shelf underwear and loose, thick clothing.

Those who wish to tuck during physical activity that involves tight or revealing clothing have a lot of great resources for tucking.

Please note that long-term tucking may negatively affect reproductive capacity.

General tips

  • Test what works for you in private before going out tucked in public.
  • Tucking done right will not hurt. If it hurts, you are probably tucked too tight or using the wrong materials.
  • If you use tape, shave or epilate the areas where the tape will stick to your skin.
  • Use cloth or silicone surgical tape if you plan to use adhesive.
  • Do not use duct tape or packing tape.
  • Only tuck when you need to. It is not good to do it for too long.
  • Never sleep or play sports while tucked.
  • Some people also use specialized underwear like a gaff while tucked.
  • Some people also use a genital prosthetic while tucked.

References

Tourjée, Diana (August 27, 2015). The Girl’s Guide to Tucking Your Dick. Vice https://www.vice.com/en/article/d3ggjj/how-to-tuck

Dornheim, Kaleb (October 17, 2017). How Does Tucking Work and Is It Safe? Healthline https://www.healthline.com/health/transgender/tucking

Howard, Mud (April 4, 2022). How to Tuck: Tips, Tricks, and Safety When Tucking. Folx https://www.folxhealth.com/library/how-to-tuck-tips-tricks-and-safety-when-tucking/

Withawhy, Robyn (March 4, 2021). How to tuck: A no nonsense guide from a Drag Queen. https://www.robynwithawhy.com/index.php/2021/03/04/how-to-tuck-a-no-nonsense-guide-from-a-drag-queen/

Fenway Health (). Tucking: A resource guide on how to tuck safely, where to find affirming products, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Phillips, Harry. “New erection-hiding underwear unveiled”. Health24. Archived

Academic papers

Mannat Malik, Erin E. Cooney, Jean-Michel Brevelle, and Tonia Poteat (2024). Tucking Practices and Attributed Health Effects in Transfeminine
Individuals. Transgender Health http://doi.org/10.1089/trgh.2022.0064

Poteat, T., Malik, M., & Cooney, E. (2018). Understanding the health effects of binding and tucking for gender affirmation. Journal of Clinical
and Translational Science 2(S1), 76-76. https://doi.org/10.1017/cts.2018.268

Iris de Nie, Joyce Asseler, Andreas Meißner, Ilona A.C. Voorn-de Warem, E. Hanna Kostelijk, Martin den Heijer, Judith Huirne, Norah M. van Mello (2022). A cohort study on factors impairing semen quality in transgender women. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Volume 226, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2021.10.020

Trussler, James T.; Carrasquillo, Robert J. (2020). Cryptozoospermia Associated With Genital Tucking Behavior in a Transwoman. Reviews in Urology. 22 (4): 170–173. PMID 33927575

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

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

Nicholas Kidd, Kelley Mark, Marina Dart, Catherine Casey, Lisa Rollins (2024). Genital Tucking Practices in Transgender and Gender Diverse Patients. Ann Fam Med. 2024 Mar-Apr;22(2):149–153. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.3076

Manafi, E., Belarmino, A. R., Mills, J. N., Eleswarapu, S. V., & Ng, G. Y.  (2024). The impact of tucking on fertility among transgender women: A systematic review. International Journal of Transgender Health  https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2024.2387643

Media

katkow (September 16, 2024). How to Sew a Tucking Gaff For Transgender Women and Drag Queens DIY by Katkow and Tuckituppp. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD19G8FoBr8

Rose Montoya (February 7, 2024). How to Tuck With TomboyX | Trans 101 | Rose Montoya. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooalCJSd_FQ

Resources

Unclockable (unclockable.com)

TransHub (transhub.org.au)

Trans Lifeline (translifeline.org)

Unclockable (unclockable.com)

  • Tucking accessories and clothing

FOLX Health (folxhealth.com)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)