The Transgender Dictionary
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Packers

Table of Contents

Introduction

Having a visible bulge in your pants is generally considered an indication that that person has a penis and thus is treated as though they are male. For transgender men, there is, unfortunately no bulge (unless that transgender man has had metoidioplasty or phalloplasty). Many transgender men (and some nonbinary people) experience gender dysphoria regarding not having a bulge and/or not having a penis.

For some transgender men, getting a packer can help grant gender euphoria. Unfortunately, for some transgender men, having a packer can cause additional gender dysphoria due to it not being physically attatched and not being a real phallus.

If you experience confusion regarding some of the terms being used, feel free to consult the alphabet menu buttons at the top of this page, or click on underlined words wherever relevant.

General Information

A packer is a prosthetic that is placed in one's underwear to give the feeling/appearance of having a bulge. What is used as a packer can vary based on both personal preference and budget. Anyone who wants to use a packer can use one, though they are typically used by transgender men.

Packers are used to alleviate gender dysphoria. For transmasculine individuals who lack the genitalia which would create a bulge, it can be comforting to have something there. Having a bulge can also be a matter of safety for those who are stealth.

When starting out with packing, it is generally advised to start out with something small so that you can get used to having something there. Whether this be a cheap packer, or something makeshift. From there, you can figure out what size you'd be most comfortable with. Everyone is different.

The way your packer stays in place will vary depending on the quality and type of your prosthetic. Some of the more expensive and customized slilicone ones are self-adhesive. Others can be secured using specilized packing underwear. Jockstraps and other harnesses can also be used or modified to be used to secure a packer.

Packer Variants

Think of it like this; you can buy a bottle of shampoo and a bottle of conditioner, or you can buy a bottle of 3-in-one that includes body wash as well. The same goes for packers. Different packers will advertise different functions or combination of functions.

Soft Packer/Standard Packer

The primary purpose of a soft packer is to be secured in underwear to give the appearance of having a bulge. Soft packers can be made of practically anything, silicone, plastic, rubber, foam, a balled up pair of socks, or even crocheted from yarn. This type of packer is not used for sexual purposes, as it would be practically impossible to use it as such.

Standard packers are mainly intended for alleviating gender dysphoria in day-to-day life. They are intended to be lightweight and comfortable. Many packer brands will sell specialized "packing underwear" intended to secure professionally made packers, to prevent them from falling out at inconvinent times.

Stand To Pee Device/STP

As the name implies, the purpose of an STP is to allow someone to be able to stand while urinating. STPs are often be paired up with the primary functions of a standard packer, as they are intended to be worn throughout the day. Some STPs can attatched to the body using body-safe adhesives, while others are secured using specilized packing underwear.

It is recommended to practice using one at home prior to attempting to use one in public. STPs are intended for relieving gender dysphoria relating to using the toilet.

There are some cisgender women who seek out STPs for convenience, typically in the context of camping or hiking. However, they are more likely to seek out options that are less realistic-looking compared to those sought out by transgender men experiencing gender dysphoria.

"Play"

Extremely similar to dildos, packers intended for "play" are highly customizable strap-ons intended specifically for transgender men during sexual intercourse. These are not typically intended to be worn on a day-to-day basis, as wearing one would give the impression of having a permanent erection. Play packers can be secured using either body-safe adhesives or packing underwear.

Play packers are intended to help adults in regards to relieving gender dysphoria during sexual intercourse.

"Stroker"

A stroker is a packer that has a small textured hole inside which bottom growth caused by HRT can be inserted. This type of packer is intended to help adults in regards to promoting gender euphoria during sexual activities.

The following resources are provided for the following reasons; entertainment, research, or sourcing. None of these links are sponsored, nor endorsed. The ideas and views of the organizations below do not inherently represent those of The Transgender Dictionary.

Warning for images of prosthetic penises. Some of these online shops are mainly for gender-affirming products. Some of these online shops are mainly for sex toys, but also sell packers for trans guys. Some of these websites may be 18+. While these companies are sorted by place of origin, many offer international shipping, though keep in mind that international shipping typically comes with additional fees.