[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by Paul B. at 27 Jun 2003 14:23:22: Felt-tip pen caps
As an answer to: Re: Pen caps written by Pete at 27 Jun 2003 11:09:08:
> Are we talking pen-caps as in biros here? Do you use two - one either side of the glans?
Ah, I was presuming you had read the postings below regarding pen caps. The reference was to felt-tip pens with caps - you can usually find one or two that are discarded when the ink dries out (left the cap off - but then you may not be able to find the cap!). There are many "models", and one was being described as particularly suitable. In general, they are blunt at the end, but nicely rounded and therefore unlikely to rub on the glans when used as "dilators". Indeed, they quite reasonably resemble some dilators already used in medical practice for stretching various openings!
> How far down do you stick it.
Let me explain that if you are going to use these, you will have first been able to get a finger inside the "funnel" that the picture demonstrates, so you will feel where the tight part is. You quite simply want the cap to sit in that narrow part so that it is stretching it for as long as possible. You want the cap - or whatever you use - to be what I call a snug fit; not painful but you would tend to be aware that it's there. If it is uncomfortable, then do not leave it there as long (and make sure it isn't somehow scratching your glans).
> Are you saying you stick the pen-cap in tapered-nose in first?
That will generally be the easiest, but as I described, the tightness tends to "pop" it out again. That's why you might need a piece of "MicroporeŽ" or similar "surgical" tape over it to hold it in for whatever length of time you do - perhaps between the times you pee during the day. It's your guess as to whether it would be safe to sleep with it in place. But you might not even leave it in at all to start with, it might be a useful thing in addition to using your finger inside, to stretch (whichever finger is a tight fit, and some sort of lubricant will help - even saliva for a very short while).
> I've never been good with people describing mechanical assemblies.
OK then, are we getting anywhere now?