Introduction to Sounding

Cock stuffing, or “sounding” as it is introduced in the S&M community, involves inserting smooth, long, and slender surgical steel rods called “sounds” (hence the name “sounding”) into a man’s urethra. The two most commonly used “sounds” are the Van Buren, which has a J-shaped bend at the end, and the Dittle, which is straight.

Alternative Sounding Tools and Safety Measures

There are men out there who use other types of sounds such as thermometers, toothbrushes, and rose stems, and whilst these do the trick, the metal sounds are not only much more hygienic but also profoundly safer as well. They do not soften during use, retain their rigidity, and are especially easy to sterilize, clean, and maintain. Whilst you might find other items to be more accessible and easy to use, a glass thermometer, for example, may easily break and result in an awkward trip down to the emergency ward. Do yourself a favour and make sure you order sounds specifically for the purpose for which they are intended.

The Importance of Proper Lubrication

Sounders use heaps of lube so the “sound” can without much of a stretch slide into the urethra—it needs to be done delicately as pushing or forcing can bring about tearing of the delicate tissue. Most sounders use either a natural-based water-based lubricant or a sterile lubricant that can be found in hospitals. When sounding, if you experience a narrowing in the urethra that the “sound” won’t go through (likely scar tissue), don’t attempt to force it through. More lube and a smaller sound may be more beneficial without causing any issues.

Risks of Improper Lubrication

Saliva isn’t generally recommended, nor would I even recommend it for any kind of sexual practice. Why? It dries rapidly and whilst it may look hot and sexy, there’s nothing worse than a toy drying out at the most inconvenient of times and causing some really bad friction. Furthermore, sugars from the mouth can be found in saliva that may bring about urinary tract infections (UTIs) and cause all sorts of dilemmas. If there’s one thing you don’t want to be messing around with, it’s your dick. Sugars can also be found in several types of lube, usually listed as glycerine in the rundown of ingredients.

Avoid these lubricants like the plague—go glycerine and paraben-free where you can. Silicone-based lubes are longer-lasting, but water-based lubes may have a thinner consistency. However, some people find silicone-based lubes to be a bit harder to clean up. Men find what works by testing.

The Sensory Experience of Sounding

Individuals enjoy using “sounds” for the pleasurable sensations felt while being inserted—you’re stimulating an area of the body that normally receives no attention. Think of the sensation you get when you orgasm or pee—that intense relaxation of muscles you get when you’ve been holding off on peeing for a while and that just before feeling as it comes rushing past. Imagine that if you can, and you’ll get a similar sensation to the feeling of sounding. Whilst not mainstream by any stretch of the imagination, sounders are predominantly situated within the BDSM community.

There are also a small percentage of the curved “sounds” whose goal it is to make getting an erection difficult. If a penis begins to get erect, the individual with the sound inserted must hold off until the erection subsides before proceeding. If you’re using a straight sound then erections will make little difference unless there’s a natural curve of the cock.

Health Risks and Maintenance After Sounding

The primary dangers with “sounding” are tearing or cutting the urethra and infections from using unsavoury materials. Anything embedded into the urethra is to be cleaned to decrease the possibility of infection both before insertion and after insertion. Some discomfort may be felt later if the sound has stretched the urethra, but this usually wears off pretty quickly—much like getting braces tightened or ears being stretched. If that happens, individuals use smaller “sounds” and slowly increase from that. You can get sounding kits which start off at 2-4 mm and build up to 16 mm wide. Some men also feel burning when urinating, due to the irritation. If this burning happens repeatedly, you may have developed an infection from using an unsuitable lubricant and will need to visit the doctor.

Cock Stuffing

A second maintenance item that needs to be noted—is that when one has finished sounding, they need to expel any leftover liquids or fluids from the urethral tract. This must be done as soon as possible by peeing and therefore cleaning through the urethral tracts. Even if you say that you “don’t do it regularly,” that certainly does not mean you needn’t do it safely every time. Leave the thermometers, with the danger of broken glass and mercury harming, behind and put resources into a “steel” sound.