How to Wear MTF Gender-Affirming Prosthetics
by Laura
Feeling comfortable in your own skin is part of the transition journey. Before surgery, or instead of it, Male-to-Female (MTF) prosthetics prosthetics can be a powerful way to affirm your identity. To make those first tries easier, the LOVE Team has pulled together some straightforward advice on how to wear them and keep them in good shape.
Gender-affirming items like vaginal, breast or butt prosthetics offer an accessible and reassuring option for feeling more at ease in your body. They’ll soften the dysphoria certain body parts might trigger and make it easier to express your identity in a way that feels right, whether you’re a binary trans woman, in the middle of transition, or exploring your gender expression. In this guide, the LOVE Team will give you practical tips for wearing and caring for your prosthetics day-to-day, so that every moment can be lived as yourself, whatever the setting.
How to Wear and Care for a Gaff
The lowdown on gaffs
A gaff is a compressive piece of underwear that will smooth out your crotch area, creating a flatter outline. Gaffs are often paired with the technique known as tucking, where the penis and testicles are positioned back between the butt. Another option is to gently guide the testicles back into the inguinal canal, the natural space where they sometimes retract in cold weather.
A gaff can be worn daily, much like ordinary knickers. It will help you feel more comfortable under fitted clothing and can give a silhouette that feels more aligned with how you see yourself. Many trans people choose to wear one simply because it makes them feel more at ease in their own body day to day.
How to wear one
- The “tuck” method: Move the penis and testicles backwards between or beneath the buttocks, then pull on the gaff to hold everything in place.
- The “push” method: Gently reposition the testicles into the inguinal canal, then bring the penis back before slipping into the gaff. This method takes patience and care, so pay attention to your body.
Once the gaff is on, you can put on your clothes as usual. For comfort and safety, it’s best to remove it before sleeping. Bear in mind that regular compression can reduce fertility by lowering sperm count. If having a biological child is something you’d like to keep open as an option, speak with a healthcare professional before using a gaff every day.
Cleaning and care tips
Treat your gaff as you would
your delicate lingerie
: wash it by hand with gentle handling, or pop it in the machine on a delicate cold cycle. Avoid wringing or twisting it. To protect the fabric, never tumble dry, always air dry. With proper care, your gaff can last for years.
Our favourite gaffs
How to Wear and Care for Realistic Vagina Pants
The lowdown on vagina pants
Realistic vagina pants are a pair of soft silicone underwear worn like regular knickers. These pants feature a lifelike reproduction of female genitalia, which is sometimes penetrable. Unlike a gaff, which mainly flattens the crotch area, this accessory creates both the appearance and, in some cases, the sensation of having a vagina. It can be worn for the euphoria of having vagina or as part of sexual play with a partner.
How to wear them
Since silicone isn’t a fabric, it may feel less comfortable than standard underwear if worn for long stretches. To put it on, simply slip into it like you would any pair of knickers. Dusting a little talc inside can make it more comfortable.
If you’re using your pants for sex, always apply a water-based lube and take things slowly. Steer clear of silicone-based lubes, as they can damage the material.
Cleaning and care tips
Silicone is tough material, but still can be fragile. Clean your pants after every use with warm water and mild soap. If you plan on sharing them,
you may sterilise them
for extra hygiene. Let them air dry fully, then store it somewhere clean, cool and away from direct sunlight or dust.
Our favourite realistic vagina pants
How to Wear and Care for Breast Prosthetics
The lowdown on breast prosthetics
Breast prosthetics, or fake breasts, come in different shapes and serve a range of purposes. They’re widely used by MTF trans women to create a more feminine silhouette before or instead of surgery, but they can also be a solution for cis-women who want to enhance their natural shape or replace breast tissue after a mastectomy.
There are several styles available: individual breast inserts that easily slip into a bra, silicone bustiers with prosthetics built in, or strap-on models worn that you wear like a regular bra.
How to wear them
- Individual inserts: Pick a bra that matches the cup size of the inserts. Put it on as usual, adjust for comfort and, if you’re unsure, ask for advice in a lingerie shop. Some bras even come with pockets in the cups designed to hold prosthetics securely.
- Strap-on models: Simply wear this type of prosthetic like a bra. Getting the right fit can take a bit of practice, especially when fastening the hooks at the back. Tighten enough to keep them steady, but not so much that it causes irritation.
- Bustiers with built-in prosthetics: Always check the manufacturer’s sizing details to make sure the fit will be comfortable. To slip the bustier on more easily, a light dusting of talc can go a long way. Since this style can feel less comfortable for prolonged wear, give yourself regular breaks.
Whichever model you choose, avoid spraying perfume or applying heavily fragranced creams directly onto your boobs, as this can damage the silicone.
Cleaning and care tips
Caring for these items is similar to other silicone-based items (like the pants): clean with warm water and a gentle soap, then let them air dry. Store them somewhere clean and dry, ideally in a protective pouch, to maintain their shape and prolong their lifespan.
Our favourite fake breasts
How to Wear and Care for Butt Prosthetics
The lowdown on butt prosthetics
Butt prosthetics create or enhance curves, making your figure fuller and more feminine. They can be used by MTF trans women, cis women, or anyone who wants to add extra volume to their silhouette.
There are two main types:
- Padded boyshorts: Usually made from lingerie-style fabrics like polyester, with removable padding in the back.
- Silicone knickers: Designed with built-in buttocks, similar to realistic vagina pants.
How to wear them
- Padded shorts: Slip them on like regular knickers for an instant boost in shape under clothes.
- Silicone knickers: Wear them just like realistic vagina pants. Most designs include openings at the front and back, so they can be kept on during sex or when going to the loo.
Cleaning and care tips
- Padded shorts: Clean them as you would delicate lingerie, but always air dry to protect the padding.
- Silicone knickers: Clean after every use with warm water and mild soap, then air dry and store somewhere clean, dry and dust-free, just as you would with other silicone prosthetics.
Our favourite fake butts
We hope these tips make your first experience with an MTF accessory feel that bit easier. Whether you’re using prosthetics to affirm your gender, feel more comfortable in your body or simply add a little everyday spring to your step, they can become a genuine source of support. What matters most is finding what works for you and discovering yourself at your own rhythm.