Urethral Sounding 101
- By Eagle Leather
- 6 May 2021
There's one thing we've noticed from running classes and workshops for the last few decades: talk to a room of people about "sounding" and you get a lot of questioning looks and shrugs. Once you start explaining what sounding is and what utensils we recommend using for this fun type of play, the next thing we hear is the sound of 30 legs slamming shut echoing across the room. And as sadists, we must admit that sound is pretty gratifying!
For many people, sounding is the final "cherry" they have left. That might be because there are some daunting aspects that can make people steer clear, whether it's fear of infection, concerns it will be painful, fears of incontinence, confusion about cleaning and sterilisation, and, for a lot of people, lack of knowledge that sounding is actually a thing!
So what is sounding? Does sounding hurt? Why are people afraid of it? And if you want to give it a go, how can you do it in a safe and enjoyable way? We are here to share with you our knowledge of this little covered topic.
Sounding is the practice of inserting stainless steel or silicone rods down the urethral passage of the vagina or penis (there's that echo!). With plenty of lube and a go slow attitude, the gradual opening and stretching of the urethra can be an intensely pleasurable experience.
Your urethral passage has a lot of nerve endings that are pleasurable when stimulated. Additionally, if you have a prostate, you can stimulate it through deeper sounding play and some people can actually orgasm from the feeling. Sounding, if done right, shouldn't be painful, but rather strangely pleasurable in an unexpected way that is hard to put into words - sort of like a massage from the inside. In addition to the physical sensation, many people get off on the psychological thrill of having their peehole fucked and the look of the cold hard steel rod sliding in and out, and from the idea itself being something slightly unnatural.
So where did the idea for sounding come from? Well, some of you may have already experienced a similar feeling if you've ever been to hospital and had a catheter inserted in your urethra so that you can urinate. Sounding too originally started as a medical procedure, used in order to remove obstructions or to stretch the urethra after injury or diseases such as Urinary Tract Infections. But as is often the case, what started off as a medical procedure became a kink - it's presumed the crossover into the arena of "medical play" occurred when people undergoing this procedure realised how enjoyable that full feeling is. These days, technology has moved forward and sounding is no longer common in medical industries; but within the BDSM community this technique is more popular than ever.
Now there's a huge range of sounds and plugs on the market, generally made from silicone or metal (please don't use glass rods or any other material!), and varying in length, width, ribs, and some offering vibrations and even electrical pulses. Some sounds have a hole through them so that you can still piss and cum, while others can be used as cum stopper.
Absolutely! Often it is presumed that sounding is strictly a penile treat, but actually vagina owners can also have an intense and amazing experience with pee hole play. Some of the plugs we sell at Eagle Leather are intended for penises (you can tell this because they have the lasso type head ring which sits perfectly behind the glans and holds the plug in place). Also, dead straight metal sounds like the Rosebud and Dittel Sounds are created with the anatomy of a penis in mind. But silicone sounds and especially Hegar stainless sounds are perfectly shaped for vaginal use and we highly recommend giving them a go!
Because you are stuffing a foreign object down the eye of your penis, there are important safety aspects to take into account when starting any sounding session.
First of all, always ensure you wear gloves - we generally recommend latex gloves, but if you have a latex allergy, nitrile gloves are also suitable. Hands see 10 times more dirt each day through the touching of various surfaces, and these germs can easily transfer on to your equipment and be fast tracked to your bladder, converting into a very uncomfortable UTI. Some alcohol wipes are good to have on hand too so you can clean the surface of the genitals before engaging in your play.
Secondly, ensure your equipment is hygienically clean. It is recommended to autoclave your sounds between each session. Autoclaving is a process of sterilisation which uses extremely high temperatures to kill all bacteria and viruses on equipment that can withstand these temperatures. If you don't have an autoclave at home, we recommend Piercing HQ, a queer & kink friendly piercing studio just down the road from Eagle Leather which offers this service for a fee. Some people also boil their sounds between sessions, which does help kill some bacteria but is not as effective or as safe as autoclaving. If you are not autoclaving your sounds between sessions, we recommend making these toys "monogamous", meaning you only use them on one individual so that viruses and bacteria do not inadvertently infect another user.
Thirdly, and one of the most important steps: only use single-use sterile lubricant to slide that rod up your piss hole. Sterile lubricant is the only type of lube fit for purpose when you are considering this type of play: these lubes are medical grade and meant specifically for this use (this is how nurses get catheters in too). Note that lubricant is only sterile while enclosed in a single use sachet - for this reason we don't recommend bottles of "sterile lube" because as soon as the seal is broken so is the sterile nature of the product.
No, no, no - please absolutely 100% definitely do not do this! Items you find around your house are certainly not sterile, and if you get off lightly you'll end up with just a bladder infection. However, these types of items are also not designed for urethral stimulation and can also cause tears and abrasions which can be painful and dangerous. You should only ever use sounds built for purpose and made from silicone or stainless steel, both of which can withstand autoclaving sterilisation treatment.
The easiest sounds if starting out are silicone sounds, they are soft and pliable so can be easier to use and more comfortable than the metal ones. However, if you are looking at metal ones the starter kit we most recommend would be the Hegar Double Ended sounds.
These are a kit of eight sounds, but each sound has two ends, one slightly larger than the other, so there are in fact 16 sizes. The starting size is very small, perfect for beginners, and work themselves up to the size of a finger.
Alright, you've got your sounds which you've sterilised, you've got your gloves on and your sterile lube sachets ready to go, and you've got your alcohol wipes. Keep one hand as your "sterile hand" (the hand that only touches the sounds) and the other as your "non sterile hand", or alternatively you can double glove and remove the top layer of gloves before touching your sterile items.
Wipe down the entrance to the peehole with an alcohol wipe to kill any surface germs, then lube up your chosen utensil with the sterile lubricant, take a deep breath and relax. Now gently, and very slowly, you can begin to press the tip of the sound into the entrance to the urethra. There is a natural lip there which should fairly easily give way and allow you entrance to the passage. If you are using a penis plug, many of them have a taper along the shaft which allows it to easily slot in behind the lip at the entry to the passage, and naturally locks into place. Chuck on a cock ring and you're ready to enjoy the hand job of your life!
If you are using sounds, you can gradually slide the sound back and forth a centimetre or two while you get the feeling and hang of it. If you are a vagina owner it is fairly easy for most to continue pushing in a bit further than this, and after some practice you will probably find that around 5-10cms is the ideal kind of depth to reach. If you have a penis, you technically can keep going all the way down the shaft of the penis and toward the prostate and bladder - but we would recommend just penetrating your shaft for the first few times and seeing how that feels before pushing on through.
Whatever plumbing you have, it's important to always ensure that there is plenty of the sound/rod/plug outside of the genitals to grip onto and ensure that it doesn’t travel too far down and slip inside.
If you feel pain or discomfort at any stage this is an indication that you may be causing damage or pushing your physical limitations. Stop, slowly remove the sound and trust your body. Give it a rest and allow yourself to recover.
Once you're a bit more experienced, you can enjoy the even more intense sensations of vibrating sounds or even electrodes - if you have a prostate, the heavenly combination of a urethral electrode working in tandem with a butt plug electrode, sending electronic pulses directly through your prostate is hard to beat. Hands free orgasms are even possible for some!
After your sounding session, it's a good idea to urinate as soon as possible. Urine is sterile and ensures if there is any bacteria or seminal fluid left in the urethra that it is flushed out as soon as possible.
It's always good with any BDSM/sexual activity to be in a relaxed headspace and go slow. Also, if you don’t enjoy it the first time, don’t write it off – put it away for a few days and try again, you might find a different state of mind and that the activity grows on you. Also, it is also a good idea to have a warm bath before you begin to allow the skin to stretch a little more. This also helps with relaxation.
Stay safe and have lots of fun!
For many people, sounding is the final "cherry" they have left. That might be because there are some daunting aspects that can make people steer clear, whether it's fear of infection, concerns it will be painful, fears of incontinence, confusion about cleaning and sterilisation, and, for a lot of people, lack of knowledge that sounding is actually a thing!
So what is sounding? Does sounding hurt? Why are people afraid of it? And if you want to give it a go, how can you do it in a safe and enjoyable way? We are here to share with you our knowledge of this little covered topic.
What is sounding?
Sounding is the practice of inserting stainless steel or silicone rods down the urethral passage of the vagina or penis (there's that echo!). With plenty of lube and a go slow attitude, the gradual opening and stretching of the urethra can be an intensely pleasurable experience.
Your urethral passage has a lot of nerve endings that are pleasurable when stimulated. Additionally, if you have a prostate, you can stimulate it through deeper sounding play and some people can actually orgasm from the feeling. Sounding, if done right, shouldn't be painful, but rather strangely pleasurable in an unexpected way that is hard to put into words - sort of like a massage from the inside. In addition to the physical sensation, many people get off on the psychological thrill of having their peehole fucked and the look of the cold hard steel rod sliding in and out, and from the idea itself being something slightly unnatural.
So where did the idea for sounding come from? Well, some of you may have already experienced a similar feeling if you've ever been to hospital and had a catheter inserted in your urethra so that you can urinate. Sounding too originally started as a medical procedure, used in order to remove obstructions or to stretch the urethra after injury or diseases such as Urinary Tract Infections. But as is often the case, what started off as a medical procedure became a kink - it's presumed the crossover into the arena of "medical play" occurred when people undergoing this procedure realised how enjoyable that full feeling is. These days, technology has moved forward and sounding is no longer common in medical industries; but within the BDSM community this technique is more popular than ever.
Now there's a huge range of sounds and plugs on the market, generally made from silicone or metal (please don't use glass rods or any other material!), and varying in length, width, ribs, and some offering vibrations and even electrical pulses. Some sounds have a hole through them so that you can still piss and cum, while others can be used as cum stopper.
Can people with vaginas sound?
Absolutely! Often it is presumed that sounding is strictly a penile treat, but actually vagina owners can also have an intense and amazing experience with pee hole play. Some of the plugs we sell at Eagle Leather are intended for penises (you can tell this because they have the lasso type head ring which sits perfectly behind the glans and holds the plug in place). Also, dead straight metal sounds like the Rosebud and Dittel Sounds are created with the anatomy of a penis in mind. But silicone sounds and especially Hegar stainless sounds are perfectly shaped for vaginal use and we highly recommend giving them a go!
What safety precautions should I be aware of?
Because you are stuffing a foreign object down the eye of your penis, there are important safety aspects to take into account when starting any sounding session.
First of all, always ensure you wear gloves - we generally recommend latex gloves, but if you have a latex allergy, nitrile gloves are also suitable. Hands see 10 times more dirt each day through the touching of various surfaces, and these germs can easily transfer on to your equipment and be fast tracked to your bladder, converting into a very uncomfortable UTI. Some alcohol wipes are good to have on hand too so you can clean the surface of the genitals before engaging in your play.
Secondly, ensure your equipment is hygienically clean. It is recommended to autoclave your sounds between each session. Autoclaving is a process of sterilisation which uses extremely high temperatures to kill all bacteria and viruses on equipment that can withstand these temperatures. If you don't have an autoclave at home, we recommend Piercing HQ, a queer & kink friendly piercing studio just down the road from Eagle Leather which offers this service for a fee. Some people also boil their sounds between sessions, which does help kill some bacteria but is not as effective or as safe as autoclaving. If you are not autoclaving your sounds between sessions, we recommend making these toys "monogamous", meaning you only use them on one individual so that viruses and bacteria do not inadvertently infect another user.
Thirdly, and one of the most important steps: only use single-use sterile lubricant to slide that rod up your piss hole. Sterile lubricant is the only type of lube fit for purpose when you are considering this type of play: these lubes are medical grade and meant specifically for this use (this is how nurses get catheters in too). Note that lubricant is only sterile while enclosed in a single use sachet - for this reason we don't recommend bottles of "sterile lube" because as soon as the seal is broken so is the sterile nature of the product.
Can't I just use something I have lying around the house?
No, no, no - please absolutely 100% definitely do not do this! Items you find around your house are certainly not sterile, and if you get off lightly you'll end up with just a bladder infection. However, these types of items are also not designed for urethral stimulation and can also cause tears and abrasions which can be painful and dangerous. You should only ever use sounds built for purpose and made from silicone or stainless steel, both of which can withstand autoclaving sterilisation treatment.
So, I'm keen to give this a go. What sounds should I start off with?
The easiest sounds if starting out are silicone sounds, they are soft and pliable so can be easier to use and more comfortable than the metal ones. However, if you are looking at metal ones the starter kit we most recommend would be the Hegar Double Ended sounds.
These are a kit of eight sounds, but each sound has two ends, one slightly larger than the other, so there are in fact 16 sizes. The starting size is very small, perfect for beginners, and work themselves up to the size of a finger.
OK, I have my sounds. How do I go about this?
Alright, you've got your sounds which you've sterilised, you've got your gloves on and your sterile lube sachets ready to go, and you've got your alcohol wipes. Keep one hand as your "sterile hand" (the hand that only touches the sounds) and the other as your "non sterile hand", or alternatively you can double glove and remove the top layer of gloves before touching your sterile items.
Wipe down the entrance to the peehole with an alcohol wipe to kill any surface germs, then lube up your chosen utensil with the sterile lubricant, take a deep breath and relax. Now gently, and very slowly, you can begin to press the tip of the sound into the entrance to the urethra. There is a natural lip there which should fairly easily give way and allow you entrance to the passage. If you are using a penis plug, many of them have a taper along the shaft which allows it to easily slot in behind the lip at the entry to the passage, and naturally locks into place. Chuck on a cock ring and you're ready to enjoy the hand job of your life!
If you are using sounds, you can gradually slide the sound back and forth a centimetre or two while you get the feeling and hang of it. If you are a vagina owner it is fairly easy for most to continue pushing in a bit further than this, and after some practice you will probably find that around 5-10cms is the ideal kind of depth to reach. If you have a penis, you technically can keep going all the way down the shaft of the penis and toward the prostate and bladder - but we would recommend just penetrating your shaft for the first few times and seeing how that feels before pushing on through.
Whatever plumbing you have, it's important to always ensure that there is plenty of the sound/rod/plug outside of the genitals to grip onto and ensure that it doesn’t travel too far down and slip inside.
If you feel pain or discomfort at any stage this is an indication that you may be causing damage or pushing your physical limitations. Stop, slowly remove the sound and trust your body. Give it a rest and allow yourself to recover.
Once you're a bit more experienced, you can enjoy the even more intense sensations of vibrating sounds or even electrodes - if you have a prostate, the heavenly combination of a urethral electrode working in tandem with a butt plug electrode, sending electronic pulses directly through your prostate is hard to beat. Hands free orgasms are even possible for some!
After your sounding session, it's a good idea to urinate as soon as possible. Urine is sterile and ensures if there is any bacteria or seminal fluid left in the urethra that it is flushed out as soon as possible.
Any other advice?
It's always good with any BDSM/sexual activity to be in a relaxed headspace and go slow. Also, if you don’t enjoy it the first time, don’t write it off – put it away for a few days and try again, you might find a different state of mind and that the activity grows on you. Also, it is also a good idea to have a warm bath before you begin to allow the skin to stretch a little more. This also helps with relaxation.
Stay safe and have lots of fun!
