Sounds (Medical)

Note: This article is about Sounds (Medical) for Sound (Physics), see : Sound

Sounds

Sounding or urethral sounding is a medical activity using probes called sounds to increase the inner diameter of the urethra and to locate obstructions in the urethra.

Sounding in a sexual context involves inserting sounds and sometimes catheters into the urethra (sometimes stretching or dilating the urethra), and sometimes bladder, for the purpose of sexual pleasure, an activity generally associated with BDSM. A urethral sound may be connected to a special electrical device for use in erotic electrostimulation. The use of urethral sounding in this way can potentially be damaging to the urethra, although risk is most significant when an inexperienced partner is involved.

Sounds are also used for the purpose of prostate stimulation via the urethra. Some sounds known as "j sounds" have a curvature on the inserting end that are particularly useful for prostate stimulation.

Urethral sounding and urethral play are also used to refer to this practice in a sexual context. In medicine, sounds are instruments for probing and dilating passages within the body, the best-known examples of which are urethral sounds and uterine sounds. Some men and women enjoy using them for urethral play (see Urethral Play below).

Urethral sounds

Pratt urethral sounds

Urethral sounds are designed to be inserted into the male or female urethra, for the purpose of stretching or unblocking a Urethral stricture. There are a number of different types of urethral sounds:

• Bakes sounds, also known as rosebud or bullet sounds, have a long thin metal rod with a bulbous bud on the end.
• Dittel sounds have a flat end and a rounded end.
• Henk sounds have a more pronounced curve at the ends, as well as a metal rib on each end.
• Pratt sounds are longer urethral dilators (double ended ones are usually almost a foot long) with rounded and slightly bent ends.
• Van Buren sounds have a very pronounced curve at each end, specifically for the purpose of reaching the bladder.

Uterine sounds

Hegar uterine sounds

These sounds or dilators are intended for probing a woman's uterus through the cervix, to determine the level of dilation or to induce further dilation.

• Hegar dilators have two rounded ends, are fairly short, and are mildly curved in shape.
• Sims sounds have a flat end and a rounded end.

Urethral Play

Any play involving the urethra, the tube that runs between the bladder and the outside of the body, emerging in men at the end of the penis and in women just inside the vagina. Except for the very end nearest the surface, this tube is sterile, and anything inserted into it deeper than a few millimetres should be sterile too otherwise an infection is easily caused. Serious damage can be done by inserting inappropriate objects or using excessive force or bad technique. The best known forms of urethral play involve catheters and sounds, items of medical equipment specifically designed for use in the urethra.

Urethral play can involve the introduction of either soft or rigid items into the meatus of the penis (as well as further in). Objects such as sounds are usually only inserted into the penis to Cobb's Curve (considered to be the "Safe Area" of the urethral tract) and can usually be easily retrieved. Other toys and items, such as catheters, may be introduced deeper (in some cases even into the bladder). Some items may even be allowed to curl several times or expand within the bladder. This action in the male may be directly or indirectly associated with stimulation of the prostate gland and some types of bladder control.

Risks

Inserting sounds into the urethral or uterine tracts stand a high risk of infections. All sounds should be sterilized with an autoclave immediately after use and stored in sterile packaging. (It is not a bad idea to sterilize them again just before use.) Infections may become serious if they progress to the bladder or kidneys, and those infections should be referred to a doctor.

If not conducted carefully, sounding carries a risk of irritation, tearing of the urethra, or of urinary tract infection.

See also [ List of bondage equipment ]

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