Dear Sasha, I’m a trans guy with some dick problems. When having sex, I don’t like using a harness because it contributes to issues about my body and my need to have assistance when banging. The one I had also just wasn’t very comfortable. I generally use a tight pair of briefs with a regular pair of underwear over top. This has mostly been successful except, in some positions, the excess cloth irritates my partner when there’s rubbing involved and dries her out more. We’re fine using up the lube, but the irritation factor is a problem.
There are a couple of prosthetics out there that attach right to the body. Problem is, they are mucho money and I haven’t heard rave reviews about them. Here are two of the main ones: lolajake.com and tyron2.net. Any chance you could find out more details about these products and if they’re worth it? Or could you recommend other solutions to our problem?
—William Richards
Dear William, I’m afraid I have no simple answers because, while the penis may be easy to replicate synthetically, its function isn’t. And while these devices are pricey compared to your average dildo, as Vlad Wolanyk, a community resource worker from Sherbourne Health Centre, says, “Considering the costs of real medical prosthetics, this is actually not expensive.” From the research I’ve done, it looks like these are, for now anyway, your best options. Clearly, you’re willing to make compromises and improvise a bit—maybe a price that better suits your budget would make these products more appealing?
I asked Vlad about employee health plans possibly covering the prosthetic. He brought the issue up at the office and this is what he came back with, “If a prosthetic is deemed medically necessary, some employee health benefits will cover it, including breast implants post mastectomy.” In other words, if a woman feels that, psychologically, she needs implants in order to feel like a woman, there is a possibility that her implants will be covered by her health insurance. The right doctor producing the right letter could argue that you require this prosthetic in order to feel like a man. “I’m not saying that the insurance company would approve it,” says Vlad, “but that would be the longshot.” So if you want to try to save some money, your first course of action is a job with health insurance, then a trans-positive doctor. Like I said, no simple answers.
I’d love to appraise one for you personally (and I have made requests) but I’ll be honest, William, given the cost of both the items you’ve linked to ($707.50 and $1953.65 respectively) along with the fact that they are produced by small, independent companies, I’ll likely never see one of these things in person unless I bang someone who’s already got one. So let me just be fucking blunt: any trannies with a Tryon 2 and/or a LolaJake model interested in letting me have a ride? I’ll throw in a reasonably priced dinner and some sparkling conversation to sweeten the pot.
In terms of dealing with the chafing labia situation, the only thing I can think of is for you to wear a pair of underwear made of a more slick material. Yep, so PVC briefs. Ready for a new look?
Dear Sasha, Is there a place I can go or someone I can contact to find out about recycling resources for sex toys?
—Not Easy Being Green
Dear Easy,
One excellent option I’ve found is out of the States. David Kowalsky is the president and CEO of a company called Dreamscapes which began offering a wide-ranging sex toy recycling program in late 2008 that is open to anyone, anywhere and is available to retailers and manufacturers as well.
“In regard to the mixed material components, all materials are broken down then repurposed or recycled,” Kowalsky says. “People should be aware that numerous recycling centres repurpose or reuse mixed materials, especially rubber and silicone. On a side note, most of the products that we receive are either TPR rubber, latex rubber or silicone, which are all recyclable.”
You’ll be happy to know that Dreamscapes was thoroughly audited and scrutinized in regard to their environmental standards as well as their recycling procedures. As a result, says Kowalsky, “Dreamscapes’ environmental and recycling practices scored as one of the highest ever certified by the Institute for Green Business.”
You can find all the information you need here: recycleyoursextoy.com.
Got any questions for Sasha? E-MAIL: POULEDELUXE@YAHOO.COM |
