Tucking | Transgender, non-binary and gender diverse children

Some transgender/non-binary/gender-diverse TGD people with testicles and penises tuck their genitals. Tucking is a common practice for many transgender women. 

Tucking is when people reposition their genitals to create a smoother flatter appearance. 

Tucking is done by first moving the testicles. The testicles can be moved back inside the body into a space called the inguinal canal. The next step is tucking the penis and scrotum backwards then securing the new position of the genitals. Securing the genitals can be done with either snug underwear, shapewear, cut pantyhose/tights, a dance belt, tape, or specialised underwear designed for tucking, which are called gaffs. Materials may be layered. 

Tucking swimwear and activewear are also available online for purchase.

Trans people who tuck have reported they learned about tucking from the internet (online trans communities, discussion boards, video tutorials), peers, and their experimentation. Because there is such a lack of research on tucking, it is difficult for trans people and health care providers to find evidence-based safer tucking information, which may result in misinformation.

The SOC 8 recommends health care professionals provide psychoeducation on tucking to trans youth as part of gender-affirming medical care. 

People tuck their genitals for a variety of reasons, including:

• Gender affirmation.
• To reduce gender dysphoria.
• For a feminine gender expression.
• To increase safety.
• To reduce social anxiety.
• For aesthetics.
• Control over how others perceive them. To increase the likelihood of being read as a woman (trans women).
• To help clothing fit better.
• Reduce incidences of discrimination.
• Feeling more comfortable in their bodies.

In one study, despite the practice of tucking being perceived by transgender women and gender-diverse people as a satisfactory short-term measure, around two-thirds (63.16%) ultimately wanted to access bottom surgery.

Negative side-effects of tucking include:

• Itching (28%).
• Rashes (21%).
• Pain in the testicles (17%). 
• Pain in the penis (14%). 
• Skin infections (12%).
• Discomfort (common)
• Testicular torsion (less likely).
• Skin irritation (more likely with taping).
• Urinary tract infections (more likely with tape due to barriers in easily going to the toilet).
• Tucking can negatively impact the production of sperm and the quality of sperm.

Trans women and gender-diverse people who tuck were unlikely to seek help for a worry they have around tucking from a health care professional.

Caregivers can support TGD youth around tucking by:

• Understand how to tuck safely (not too tight; taping is less preferable; take breaks if not too dysphoric to do so).
• Support access to materials used in tucking: snug underwear, gaffs, cut pantyhose/tights.
• Support access to medical tape if the person is seeking to use taping.
• Support access to looser gender-affirming clothing, which the person can use (if not too dysphoric) during breaks between tucking.
• Encourage the person to check for skin irritation. Support access to treatment if a rash or infection develops.
• Seek urgent medical attention if the young person experiences testicular torsion. 
• Affirm your child’s gender in other ways that support their emotional well-being. Such as using their pronouns, supporting them in accessing clothing and hairstyles that align with their gender, and using their name.
• Support the person in accessing gender-affirming medical care if this is available.
• Explore fertility preservation information and options.

Resources

• Clothing by Trans Hub 2021. https://www.transhub.org.au/clothes
• Genital Tucking for Trans-Feminine Patients by Jamie Moffa 2019. https://www.prideinpractice.org/articles/transgender-genital-tucking-guide
• How does tucking work, and is it safe by Kaleb Dornheim 2018. https://www.healthline.com/health/transgender/tucking#takeaway
• Safe Tucking by Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Gender Clinic 2022. https://www.ohsu.edu/sites/default/files/2022-03/Gender-Clinic-Safe-Tucking-Handout.pdf
• Tucking by Trans Hub 2021. https://www.transhub.org.au/tucking
• Tucking: A Thorough Guide by Dimitria Sparrow 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCAMDIXkxps United States. 00:33:01
• Ways to play with your gender expression by Minus 18 2021. https://www.minus18.org.au/articles/ways-to-play-with-your-gender-expression

Some shops that sell tucking related items

• Origami Customs – gaffs, underwear – https://origamicustoms.com/pages/choosing-a-gaff
• En Femme – gaffs, swimwear, activewear, body shapers, clothing https://enfemmestyle.com/collections/gaffs
• Ruby Shines – Shapewear for trans girls and trans women – no tucking required https://rubyshines.com/collections/shaping-products
• Leo Lines https://www.etsy.com/shop/leolines/?msockid=2daf2041ec4b6bdb334934c4eda66a9d
• Sock Drawer Heroes – tucking tape https://sockdrawerheroes.com/collections/tucking/products/copy-of-mixtape-by-sdh-4

References

• A Case of Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia Following Genital Tucking: Transgender Fertility Preservation by Turley & Potdar 2023.
• Clothing by Trans Hub 2021.
• Genital Tucking Practices in Transgender and Gender Diverse Patients by Kidd et al., 2022.
• “I was largely unguided trying to figure it out on my own”: Experiences of Genital Tucking Among Transfeminine and Gender Diverse Individuals by Subedi et al., 2024.
• Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8 by Coleman et al., 2022.
• The Girl’s Guide to Tucking Your Dick by Diana Tourjee 2015.
• Tucking Practices and Attributed Health Effects in Transfeminine Individuals by Malik et al., 2024.
• Understanding The Health Effects of Binding and Tucking for Gender Affirmation by Poteat et al., 2018.