What is an STP Device?
An STP device, short for ‘stand to pee device’, is—as its name suggestions—a device that allows users to urinate while standing up. Some STP devices also function as packers—objects used to create the appearance of a bulge where somebody doesn’t have a penis—while others are designed to be used as stand alone devices.
Who Uses STP Devices and Why?
As with soft packers, one of the primary users of STP devices is transmasculine people—transgender people who were assigned female at birth. For some people, urinating while standing up can feel affirming of their gender, or ease dysphoria they have around their genitals. Some transmasculine people may also find using an STP makes them feel safer in male bathrooms, as it allows them to use urinals rather than conspicuously waiting for a stall.
People of all genders may also use STPs to make going to the bathroom easier or quicker, especially in situations where stalls may be unavailable. While some transmasculine people may want to use urinals because it makes them feel safer, others may choose to use an STP at a urinal for convenience and speed. In situations where flushing toilets aren’t available—such as when camping or hiking —people of all genders may find it useful to have an STP to use.
Additionally, just as some people use packers because wearing one makes them feel sexy, some people use STP devices in ways completely unconnected to gender and primarily connected to sex. People with vulvas who enjoy watersports can find they prefer the level of control an STP offers them. The structure of some STPs also means they can be used for oral sex, as suction on the end of an STP can transmit sensation to the wearer’s vulva if held against the body tightly.
What Kinds of STPs Are There?
As well as varying levels of realism, STP styles can be distinguished in a couple of other ways.
‘Medicine spoon’ style STPs take their name from the fact that before commercial products were available, people would DIY their STPs with a soft packer and an actual medicine spoon! The receptacle that cups the user’s body is very small, so only tends to sit around the urethra. This can make them more difficult to position than other STPs for some people. However, for a variety of reasons—including urethra placement, body size/shape, and labia size/shape— some people find medicine spoon STPs easier to use. Some people also prefer this style of STP, as the smaller receptacle makes shaking off excess urine easier.
More common than ‘medicine spoon’ style STPs are funnel style STPs, like the New York Toy Collective Sam. These—as the name suggests—are funnel shaped, with larger receptacles that cup the labia. While the size and shape of the cup varies between STPs, it’s generally easier to place than medicine spoon STPs, as it doesn’t require placement to be as specific. Having a closed funnel and a large cup makes some funnel STPs usable during partnered oral sex in a way that other STPs aren’t.
How Do I Use an STP?
While they may seem simple in principle, learning to use an STP can take some time. It’s recommended that you try using your new STP at home before taking it out into the wild. Even if you’ve used a different STP before, each model is different, so it’s worth practicing at home.
We recommend first practicing using an STP in the shower. This allows for easy cleanup, avoids risking damaging clothes, and means you don’t have to aim at a narrow target. To use it, place the STP’s cup over your vulva, making sure to create a seal around your body that includes your urethra. Start with a small stream— some STPs have narrow channels in their shafts (which can make a full steam difficult to control or not possible), you may not have placed the STP’s cup correctly (which can lead to spills), or you may not be aiming correctly. Once you’re happy with your placement and direction, and have a good idea of how how quickly the STP’s channel drains, you may want to increase your flow’s heaviness.
After you’ve mastered using your STP in the shower, you may want to try using a toilet at home without any clothing on, before moving on to using it at home with clothing, and then taking it out and about.
Once you’re become accustomed to using an STP, some extra tips include peeing at a consistent rate, to create as smooth a stream as possible. A slight tilt backwards in the pelvis can make your stream go further, while tilting forwards helps to avoid splash back when using a urinal close up.
How Do I Clean My STP?
After each time you use your STP, you should at least shake it and dry the tip with toilet paper to ensure no drops of urine are left. When possible, you should wash it with warm water and soap. If you use your STP daily, you should wash it at least daily as well. If you’re using what’s sometimes called a 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 prosthetic—which has both STP and pack-and-play capabilities—make sure you wash your STP prior to penetrative sex.
STPs are usually made of silicone or hard plastic, which can be sanitised. You can either place an STP in boiling water, or—if your dishwasher has a ‘sanitise’ setting—place it in the dishwasher with no soap.
Using An STP For Sex
It’s not just the 3-in-1 or 4-in-one prosthetics—which generally have an insertable rod which makes them firmer—that can be used for sex. Because STPs create a seal around the genitals, suction on the end of the STP’s ‘shaft’ or channel can be felt on the user’s vulva. The intensity of this suction varies depending on STP style and individual anatomy— not all combinations of STPs and particular anatomies can bring a person to orgasm (and some people may not be able to orgasm from this stimulation at all). However, some people enjoy using their STPs in this way and find this stimulation erotic, gender-affirming, or both.
Everything STP was written by the wonderful Kelvin Sparks. Kelvin is a trans man who blogs at kelvinsparks.com.