Sounds

Just wondering what sounding is done for in the medical field.I have always thought that they were used to measure the diameter and to stretch.

Sounding in medical applications is the same as sounding in nautical applications. By sounding, you are taking a measurement of depth. In uterine sounding, which is NOT an appropriate play application, you are measuring the depth of the uterus through the vagina and cervix. I can't think it would be used anymore, ultrasound would be much more accurate and less risky. I think you are confusing sounding, which is a common "catch all" phrase with dilitation. Urethral dilators, which we call sounds, were used to assist in clearing the urethra of strictures and stenoses generally caused by gonorrhea.

Call it what you will, if done carefully and under aseptic conditions, it's a unique sensation.

Play On!

LadyDoc

Here in the UK they use a uterine sound while inserting an IUD (coil)

The doctor measures the depth of the uterus with the sound and then sets the IUD inserter to the same depth. This ensures that when he pulls back on the inserter to release the IUD, it opens and sits neatly inside the womb in the correct position.

Dr Philip - The UK Play Doctor.

Good point Dr. Philip, I had forgotten about that, most likely because I've never had an IUD inserted. Dilators are also used for procedures such as a D&C. However, I'll say it again, just for safety's sake, cervical dilation and cervical penetration are not appropriate in play scenarios.

LD

I also believe a uterine sound is used while removing an IUD, probably to dilate the cervix to get the thing out. And they can use one to open the cervix and visually check for fibroids.

Yes I totally agree with ladydoc. Cervical and uterine penetration should be left strictly to the experts and play docs must steer well clear of it.

But a sound carefully inserted in the urethra (pee-hole) can be very rewarding if that's your thing...Just go carefully.

Dr Philip - The UK Play Doctor.

I'll take a urethral sound any day of the week!

I just want to caution sounding needs done by someone familiar with the procedure. much damage can be done by untraqined individuals

Urinary sounds were used extensively back when gonorrhea was not so treatable as it has been since the introduction of antibiotics. Back then, there was extensive scarring and constrictions of the urethra (tube between bladder and the outside world) especially in men. The sounds were used as dilators to allow freer urination. The contemporary descriptions confirmed they were quite painful - even in the hands of a knowledgeable practitioner. They were also similarly used in cases of enlarged prostates - again to allow freer urination.

(So much for the "good old days")

Uterine sounding is still in use or at least was in very recent years; I underwent this procedure during fertility treatment and it was excruciatingly painful. I also had a number of scans at the same time including TV (Trans-vaginal) scans, so it was in addition to those.

It is definitely not a play activity, not just because of the pain levels involved but because of the health risks associated with anything entering the uterus and the possibility of internal damage.