Do you ever get to the bathroom and realize there is only one stall in the men’s bathroom, then you have to stand there awkwardly and wait while others pass you to use the urinal? That can be a very awkward moment for trans guys, making them feel uncomfortable or even unsafe. If only more men’s bathrooms had more stalls, but unfortunately, we aren’t that lucky.
It would just be so much easier to be able to stand to pee.
Several companies have made stand-to-pee devices (or STPs) for people without the natural appendage. Some of these products are aimed at cis women, like the Shewee, which tend to be plastic funnels that make it easier to pee standing up in travel situations like camping. While these devices are effective, they’re not the best choice for trans guys in most cases because they are typically bright coloured plastic that would out them as trans.
There are STPs made to look like a prosthetic penis, but they take some practice to use effectively.
I have used several different STPs and have become incredibly frustrated with them many times. So, here are the things I’ve learned to more effectively use an STP.
Position the STP correctly
Since the STP looks like a penis, I think it’s common for most guys to position it in such a way that would make it feel like an extension of their own body the way it is. Your urethra is likely a bit lower than you think it is – approximately 1 inch below where your growth has occurred. Make sure to position the STP low enough to ensure your entire stream is caught in the funnel.
Practice, Practice, Practice
By fluke, I could pee seamlessly the first time I tried an STP, and I was incredibly excited. Thankfully I didn’t immediately try it out in public because the following several times were an epic failure.
While you locate the best place to hold the STP and how fast a stream is appropriate for the funnel, you’re going to want to practice at home – maybe even in the shower. If you start in the shower, don’t turn the water on at first to see if you’re spilling.
Take Baby Steps
Once you feel confident using it in the shower, practise some more at home at the toilet. I would recommend starting by taking your bottoms off completely (it’s just easier than changing if you make a mess). When I was practicing and getting the hang of it, I realized I was standing in an awkward position. So, I had to take baby steps toward standing naturally and wearing clothes before considering using it at a urinal.
Know that it is going to take practice for all of us, and that’s okay. Try not to get too frustrated with yourself.
Be Aware of Your Stream
Don’t wait until the last minute to pee, and your stream is… at its most aggressive. The funnel typically isn’t big enough to hold the urine, so it should be able to flow down the shaft at the same speed as you’re urinating.
When it comes to the stream, there are a few things to consider:
- Make sure you have the right STP. Some have a wider shaft or bigger funnel that can be helpful for those who have a naturally faster stream. The STP Freely, Freely XL, and The Lou from TransGuy Supply are designed to handle heavier pee flow. Lots of guys are looking for realistic-looking prosthetics. Still, when it comes to STPs, the function is much more critical for a clean experience.
- Practice controlling your stream. It can be helpful to do keegle exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor.
- Modify your STP. Some people opt to widen the hole on the shaft, so they didn’t have to stop their flow.
Wear Appropriate Clothing
Once you’re ready to use your STP out in public isn’t essential to ensure you’re wearing appropriate clothing to ensure everything goes smoothly.
First, consider the underwear you’re wearing. You may want to wear boxer briefs with a fly hole; this can add additional support when using the STP. Or you may want to consider specific underwear or harness made for STPs, like the Cake Bandits boxer briefs or MyPack STPease harness.
You will also want to consider the tightness of your pants and how that impacts the STP fitting through your fly or how far down you’ll have to pull your pants to use it effectively.
It may be helpful to try out a few different types of clothing choices at home before using your STP in public.
Final Thoughts
Using and STP is a learning curve, and it’s going to take time, so be patient with yourself. Also, remember that most people use the bathroom relatively quickly and aren’t paying too much attention to what you’re doing. If you’re relaxed or slightly less anxious, the whole experience is likely to be a lot easier.
Any additional tips for using and STP or have a favourite brand that works best for you? Let me know in the comments.