Can't master this packing game

[AnxietyDisord3r]

Idk, I'm sure this topic has come up many times.

I have a lot of bottom dysphoria, also a lot of denial about my bottom dysphoria. Because, you know, incurable condition and all that.

When I was younger, I bought a prosthetic and started packing. It made me feel more whole and more confident, but I was wearing it up against my skin and apparently that is a big no-no. I read about making your own harness for it but I think harnesses trigger my dysphoria because I could never bring myself to make or use one (even for sex).

(I guess because they're artificial? Lesbians use them? I identified as gay but NEVER identified as a lesbian.)

I have tried packing again a couple of times in the past week and I just feel confused about it. (Double underwear method.) First of all, it's warm out and all sweat pools in your groin anyway so my crotch starts itching because the prosthetic doesn't breathe (duh), which just sucks.

Secondly, I'm just not getting the same feeling from that I did when I was younger. I pretty much forget it's there until it annoys me. I did like the way my underwear looked with the bulge in the mirror when I was getting dressed. After that? Useless.

I think having it behind cloth makes it separated from me and that is the big difference. It may be years if ever before I get bottom surgery and I'm not sure how to deal with this.

[Elis]

I've had similar problems. I started sleeping a couple of dozens of times with my packer in (still live at home so it's the only way I can use it) but stopped. I found that taking it out once I dressed in the morning made my dysphoria worse plus it put too much focus on my feminine parts which again makes me feel dysphoric. Before having one and after having stopped my bottom dysphoria is kinda non existant. Same feeling I got when using an STP. Could this be what you're feeling?
I also had to start buying a size smaller boxer briefs so the packer stayed in place. Additionally I've worn my packer just a few time out with jeans on and did find the sweatyness annoying (got used to it after walking for a bit though) plus I simply felt self conscious having a bulge when to everyone else I looked female. I don't think people even notice if a guy has a bulge or not so it doesn't really bother me not having one. Maybe when I pass 100% and am stealth then I'll start wearing one again just to be on the safe side in case I have to work with lots of other men.

[invisiblemonsters]

I've had similar problems. I started sleeping a couple of dozens of times with my packer in (still live at home so it's the only way I can use it) but stopped. I found that taking it out once I dressed in the morning made my dysphoria worse plus it put too much focus on my feminine parts which again makes me feel dysphoric. Before having one and after having stopped my bottom dysphoria is kinda non existant. Same feeling I got when using an STP. Could this be what you're feeling?
I also had to start buying a size smaller boxer briefs so the packer stayed in place. Additionally I've worn my packer just a few time out with jeans on and did find the sweatyness annoying (got used to it after walking for a bit though) plus I simply felt self conscious having a bulge when to everyone else I looked female. I don't think people even notice if a guy has a bulge or not so it doesn't really bother me not having one. Maybe when I pass 100% and am stealth then I'll start wearing one again just to be on the safe side in case I have to work with lots of other men.

i think when people see you as male, they don't really stare at a bulge unless you're trying to make it obvious (sweats, commando, basketball shorts). i'm friends with a lot of females who comment on a guys bulge sometimes because they notice it. whether it is because a guy wants it to be noticed or not, idk, but that is the only time i hear girls comment on it around me at least. i think people try to look for "tells" like breasts or a bulge if they can't "tell your gender." before my facial hair and before my top surgery, packing helped a lot with my dysphoria. now, i don't have that dysphoria because i only had it in case someone tried to "challenge" my gender before i consistently passed. i only really have that dysphoria or wish i had soemthing there is when i need to use public bathrooms.

[FTMax]

Not getting the same relief from packing that I used to is what drove me forward in investigating bottom surgery. I had had top surgery and was generally feeling good about myself, but it was this constant nagging feeling that something was wrong, no matter how right I looked to the rest of the world. For now, packing for me is treating the symptom rather than the root cause.

You could try making your own harness. Homemade ones usually use less fabric and are less technical than manufactured ones. I believe Chase Ross has a video about it on his YouTube channel.

[FtMitch]

I personally usually pack with a sock simply because you CAN just stick it in your underwear and be done.  The extra effort of putting on a harness causes me dysphoria, though if I want to pack while riding horses in tight breeches, wearing a jock strap with a pocket to pack in helps keep it from moving with ann the effort.  I definitely understand your feelings on harnesses!

[AnxietyDisord3r]

Not getting the same relief from packing that I used to is what drove me forward in investigating bottom surgery. I had had top surgery and was generally feeling good about myself, but it was this constant nagging feeling that something was wrong, no matter how right I looked to the rest of the world. For now, packing for me is treating the symptom rather than the root cause.

You could try making your own harness. Homemade ones usually use less fabric and are less technical than manufactured ones. I believe Chase Ross has a video about it on his YouTube channel.

I saw a harness recently, maybe it was pee-cock? that looked a lot like briefs with holes in it. That might be less dysphoria inducing than a home made elastic harness.

[cheryl reeves]

Not all men have bulges in there britches..when I'm in male mode you won't see a bulge which makes wearing dresses easy for me...so do not fear not having a bulge

[dentistsandthedark]

I saw a harness recently, maybe it was pee-cock? that looked a lot like briefs with holes in it. That might be less dysphoria inducing than a home made elastic harness.

You might be thinking of RodeoH underwear harnesses.

[AnxietyDisord3r]

I was reading up on the phantom penis phenomenon and it seems like people with that sensation seem to have a compulsion to pack that I don't have.  Still, packing helps sometimes, just not in a consistent way. I feel like I should have balls. But I've also been obsessed with the notion that my penis was cut off when I was a baby, even though it's right there and doesn't look cut. So confusing.

[smittydoyle]

I used to date this guy who showed no bulge in his jeans but holy moly did he have a large, fantastic dick lol. Some guys are growers, some are show-ers. I pass all the time, so I'm not really concerned having a bulge in my pants, though I do still pack from time to time just depending on how I feel.

I have a few methods: an STP that's pretty good; I just drop it into my underwear.
                                  a Mr. Limpy or whatever packy. same thing, I just drop it in.
                                  or, occasionally, a rolled up sock.

I think for me it mostly depends on the weather and my activity level. I'm super active and sometimes I just don't want to deal with a warm,  sticky packer.