note: I've reposted this because our head moderator BiFuriousDude has moved on from moderating. I will be expanding/revising this FAQ to answer more common questions in the near future!

These are some of the most frequent questions people tend to have about urethral sounding. Feel free to ask other questions in the comments if you have any, they may be added to the list later on.

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Why would anyone want to insert things in their urethra?

Urethral sounding originates from the medical practice of dilating the urethra using steel rods in order to resolve issues such as strictures. As it turns out, it can also feel really good. Whether you're in it for the mental stimulation of doing it or for the physical aspect of it, there's no invalid way to enjoy it. This community only encourages safe and smart play, however.

Does sounding hurt?

While it may sting a little after the first few attempts, sounding in a safe manner should not hurt. If you feel any pain, see any blood or feel anything is off, you should stop immediately, wash the area and take a few days break from sounding.

How do I sound safely?

Three main things must be considered when sounding:

1. Don't overdo it

Start slow! You don't have to use huge sounds right away, or ever. Listen to your body, don't force anything too big or too deep into your urethra, it may come in time and sounding doesn't have to hurt if you just take your time. Don't insert anything you may not be able to pull out! If you feel any pain in the following days, please consult your general practitioner or a urologist. They will not judge you and are here to help under medical discretion.

2. Sterilise everything

Use medical-grade steel or high-quality silicone sounding rods only, clean them with a quality sextoy cleaning solution before and after use, clean your hands and genitals before and after sounding. You should also use, if possible, sterile water-based lubricant. Silicone-based lubricant isn't as easily flushed out and may degrade most silicone toys. Be sure to pee afterwards in order to flush any bacteria that may remain inside.

3. Lube, lube, lube

There's no way to overstate the importance of lube in safe sounding. The more you protect your urethra from irritation, the better. Sounding without lube can lead to some tearing of the tissue, making it vulnerable to bacterial infections. In men, the walls of the urethra are coated with small glands that must be given some time to heal when disturbed, and in women the shorter length of the urethra means that bacteria can get to the bladder more easily. All the more reason to avoid scratching or tearing anything! As previously mentioned, water-based lube is the way to go, and a sterile certification is a big plus. For example, KY Jelly can easily be found in drug stores.

How does sounding feel?

Sounding is something that can give a multitude of different sensations, both physical and mental. Physically, it gives a sensation of fullness, not unlike how some people describe anal to feel aside from prostate stimulation. Mentally, many people report enjoying the thought of doing something kind of taboo, loving the sight of a sounding rod moving up and down the urethra, or even just imagining how deep it is going inside.

For people with male genitalia, sounding goes through the meatus at the top of the glans, which is an especially sensitive part of the penis. This adds a more superficial kind of stimulation to the whole. Additionally, reaching the prostate and bladder can give strong sensations thanks to all the sensitive tissue and the outer and inner sphincters, although this kind of deeper play is usually reserved to seasoned sounders as it may be more risky if not done well.

[Female input wanted for further explanations! Please submit your thoughts in the comments below]

u/dragonflymermaid said:

As a woman, I would like to add that as far as the feeling goes, for me, it is similar to having my G-Spot continuously aroused. The deeper the sound goes, the more aroused I am. I am definitely a squirter, so for me, having the opportunity to have the clit exposed, aroused as well as the G-spot AND the urethral tube, heaven...let the waterworks commence!

Is it okay to use this or that?

As mentioned above, safe sounding is best practices with tools meant for it. If you can't be sure of the material's composition, smoothness or cleanliness, it should probably not go anywhere near your urethra. Some materials are porous and retain bacteria no matter how well you clean it. Some materials are inherently irritating to the sensitive tissue or can lose small bits inside. It may be safe, but it also may not, so play at your own risk if you decide to go with it anyway.

Where can I buy good sounding equipment?

As far as steel and silicone sounds go, most sex shops should be able to provide some of the basic tools you need to get started. As mentioned above, sterile water-based lubricant can be found in most drug stores in the sexual health aisle. If you choose to order your equipment online, make sure to buy it from a reputable reseller to avoid any risk of lower-quality or bootleg products for which the materials or manufacturing may not be at the best standards. A list of some of the best resellers worldwide will be posted in the comments to this post. Feel free to contact the moderators to suggest new ones.

How do I stretch / go up in size?

Stretching is something you'll want to do slowly. While it may be a little scary at first, it's important to know that even just keeping your current maximal comfortable diameter sound inserted contributes to your progress. In fact, this may comfortable size should be where you stay for a good while each time you manage a new size. Just give it time!

If you really feel like it's necessary, as it may be for the bigger diameters, you can do some active stretching using .5mm steps increase sounds, tapers, speculums... Just make sure whatever you use is progressive enough for the process not to hurt unreasonably. Using good amounts of quality lube is especially important while stretching, as the pressure of the urethral walls on the sound suddenly increases, making it that much easier to tear the tissue.

You should wait a while after successfully reaching your new comfortable max, let the tissue settle down and heal and do some long and calm sessions, maybe going deeper and deeper with your new max diameter if you want to.

This forum has gotten much bigger so standards are being turned up on unsafe practice posts. Ill skip all the bullshit i had written here and just say, If I find, and have to pull your stupid unsafe post, it's coming with a 30 day ban. To start. Markers, screwdrivers, fucking injecting milk now?...have you guys no respect for your fucking cock? And don't tell me like some old man you been doing it for 30 years that way, cause I don't wanna hear it. Beat it! The next guy that comes along may not be so lucky as you and now thanks to you, he's got this all fucked up cock. Set a good example you cock fuckers, be innovative, but respect your shit, don't be a cheap ass and go buy real sounds. If you sound with something else, good for you. Don't post it here.