FreeToM Prosthetics 4-in-1 Traditional 6.5" Review (NSFW)
What happens when you're born with male anatomy but happen to be born with an intersex condition at the same time? You get a smaller than normal penis (a micropenis, really), along with hypospadias and chordee, which can make it difficult to participate in certain sexual activities and even make peeing standing up challenging, plus you've got a smaller than average bulge. So what do you do to solve this problem - without having to resort to expensive, risky, time-consuming, and painful surgeries? You buy a prosthetic penis! That's what I did in late March of 2015.
Keep in mind that this coming from an intersex guy's point of view, and not from an FTM (I wasn't born female, but I was misassumed to be female at birth, and I consequently had to go through legal gender re-assignment later in life because of this gender error at birth). I made this review primarily to help out the intersex community since I feel like this is something that could use more discussion in the community. Prosthetics are a great alternative to surgery - which can be very expensive, time consuming, painful, and full of side-effects - and more intersex guys should get this option, instead of being pressured into getting a surgery that may not be productive and satisfactory (I'm not trying to discourage anyone from getting surgery - you can if you want to - I'm simply trying to present an alternative, especially since intersex people are often pressured into getting surgeries that they may not even want in the first place). Even though this is primarily targeted towards the intersex community, anyone, including FTMs, can read this. Keep in mind that this review is based on my own personal experience and that everyone else's is going to be different.
Shipping & Customer Service
I placed my order on March 22, 2015. I originally had to wait 14 days to get it but it turns out that during this time, they were doing some restructuring and so about a week before the 14 business days was up, they announced that we had to wait 39 business days to receive our orders (I found out on the FAQ section). So that means that I had to wait until early to mid May to get my Traditional.
On May 11, I got an email from them saying that my order had shipped with a link to my tracking number. My order was expected to arrive on the 18 of May. That day came and nothing arrived. I decided to wait a week to see if it arrived by then (I thought that maybe USPS had a backlog of orders and were running late). After a week went by and nothing had still arrived, I decided to contact FreeToM via their live chat feature on their site. To my surprise, they seemed to have had a knowledge of my situation, even before I contacted them. At the time, they told me that they were trying to get a hold of USPS but that they were unavailable.
The following week (it was June by then), I decided to email them regarding my lost package (no pun intended) and to tell them that I was going to place a new order. Surprisingly, they offered me to send me a new one, so I decided to accept the offer. The estimated wait time by then was 12 business days (while keeping in mind that quality control, demand, and all that other stuff might backlog my order to 21-24 days). 12 days went by and and I hadn't received an email yet, so I thought that they either had to make my prosthetic all over again or that they had a lot of orders (it looks to me like it was the former because during that time, I saw a Traditional just like the one I ordered on the clearance section), so I decided to wait another 12 business days.
On July 3rd, I decided to email FreeToM just to check on my order. It turns out that by then, my order was getting ready to ship but that it would not ship until the 6th because of the upcoming 4th of July weekend (so it turns out I was right about my order being backlogged because of the issues I mentioned in the last paragraph). They told me they were going to send me an email with my tracking number but I never got that (and that was alright with me in this case - you'll see why next). I thought that maybe they were being backlogged again but it turns out that it had indeed shipped by that time (the 6th) because I received a nice surprise the following week! :D
So overall, I had a pleasant experience with FreeToM's customer service. They did a great job dealing with my lost package ordeal (something that was completely out of their control and totally not their fault). A few months after I received my prosthetic, they switched from USPS to FedEx since apparently USPS isn't so reliable these days (this year was the first time I've had a negative experience with USPS). Supposedly, they added status reports to their orders - with the statuses being: molding, demolding, cutting, paint plus upgrade (if you ordered your prosthetic with the paint upgrade), quality control, packaging, and shipping. This is something I wish they had implemented earlier this year when I ordered from them. It definitely would've been useful back then.
My FreeToM came in a small white box. The labeling on the box is discreet - it just says "FreeToM" and doesn't mention anything about them being a prosthetic penis or prosthetic penis company. It also had my order number and initials on the side. Inside the box was my Traditional in a small, handmade canvas bag, wrapped in plastic. There was also the erection rod in a small, bubble-wrapped bag, a proper care brochure, a brochure regarding the rod, and my order summary.
When I first got it, I noticed that the cup seemed to be a bit shorter than usual. It also had rougher cuts than normal (FreeToM says that rough cuts are a normal part of the process, since they're hand-made and have to cut it away from the excess silicone once it comes out of the mold). Even though I didn't really mind it, I still thought that I would mind it just a little bit. Turns out, I was wrong. I'm actually loving it. I still would like one with a more "normal" and smoother cup, so I'll try to get one of those next time and compare that to this one.
The penis is 6.5" in length and anywhere from 5-6 inches in girth. I measured my Traditional with measuring tape in 4 different areas (the upper, mid-upper, mid-lower, and lower parts). The results I've got were quite interesting, to say the least. I found out that at the upper part of the prosthetic (where the head is) it measured about 5.5". When I got to the upper-mid section, it measured a little over 5.5". Then when I got to the lower-mid section, I found out that it measured anywhere from a little under 6" to 6". Finally, I found out that the lower part of the prosthetic (where it connects to the body) a little over 6" (about 6.2" or 6.3")! So as you can see, it is quite girthy (which is the way I like it!). FreeToM's website says that the girth of the Traditional is at about 5 3/4", but they state in their FAQ section that the size of their prosthetics might be different than what they state in their website (which makes perfect sense considering the fact that they're hand-made).
The FreeToM Traditional may not look as realistic as Reelmagik prosthetics, but it looks way more realistic than the Peecock. Either way, its still very realistic looking. It'll look even more realistic with the paint job (I didn't get the paint job on mine because I couldn't afford it, but I plan on getting it for the "All Natural" 6.5" I plan on getting in the near future). This thing actually looks like a giant version of my real penis with the veins and head, except that mine is uncircumcised. I got it in rosy skin because my real penis (and somewhat the scrotum) looks kinda rosy. The prosthetic actually turned out to be a bit darker than my natal dick, but it was fairly close and I'm still satisfied with it (the head of my natal penis is the part that comes closest to the color of the prosthetic). I'm going to get my next prosthetic in a color that's closer to both my regular and scrotal skin, which is the warm rosy skin.
As a bio guy (who happens to have an intersex condition), I can tell you that the skin on the FreeToM feels pretty realistic (it is almost an exact replica of a real penis). It has a bit of a sticky type of feel, just like my real anatomy, which means that stuff like linen will get attached to it. This happens with my real genitals as well and is removable on both my natal penis and the prosthetic. Bio penises/scrotums have a tiny bit of a tacky feel and this prosthetic has that too (although a little more) and therefore adds to the realism further (plus silicone in general has a more tacky feel). In order to get a feel for this, grab a post-it note and feel the sticky part of it. This will give you an idea of how it feels - I think this is the closest you can get to that (although both the prosthetic and my natal anatomy feel a bit less sticky than that). Something to keep in mind is that the skin on a bio male's genitals have a more sticky type of feel, whereas regular skin doesn't (I can confirm this with both my own genitals as well as hearing the experiences from other bio guys) - my guess is that this is something that catches Transguys/FTMs off guard. The only thing it doesn't have is movable foreskin (which is something that the Reelmagik has), so that takes away from the realism a bit. Additionally, It can be pulled and stretched like a real penis (I tried this with both my own and the prosthetic, in order to compare them both).
I tried squeezing both my real penis and my prosthetic penis, both flaccid and erect. I found out that the prosthetic is almost an exact replica of my real penis when its flaccid. The only difference is that the prosthetic has a bit of a more semi-erect feel because of the extra silicone required to make it durable enough for both play and everyday use, whereas my real penis feels a bit more squishier and softer.
When I first put it on, it felt a bit awkward, since this is my first prosthetic and I've never put one on before 'till this point. The stickiness of both my natal junk and the prosthetic felt a bit awkward when they came in contact with each other but I got used to it in minutes. Overall, It only took me a day or so to get used to this prosthetic.
There are times when the lower part of the cup of the prosthetic hits my testicles in an awkward way. This can feel pretty uncomfortable, and I end up having to adjust myself from time to time. I'm going to see if wearing a Rodeoh harness makes things better.
My natal dick actually faces my prosthetic dick, sometimes the upper part of the prosthetic's scrotum, rather than the pleasure slide part. This is something that I actually saw coming - I guessed that my dick would actually face the prosthetic's dick or scrotum and it just so happens that I guessed right.
Wearing a prosthetic like this during the summer when its hot and humid can be quite uncomfortable when you have male genitalia (sorry transguys, I have no idea how it feels like to wear this thing with female genitalia since I don't have that, so I can't give you my experience on that). I'm probably not going to wear it as often during those types of conditions since my downstairs area can feel pretty sticky and uncomfortable with it on.
Its best to wear a prosthetic like this with a harness or fitted underwear. In fact, I recommend using a harness for daily use. This makes wearing the prosthetic more comfortable, and you won't have to readjust yourself so often. I personally don't like harnesses, because they look and feel unnatural. But something like the Rodeoh harness is something I'm going to make an exception for, since they seem to feel a lot more natural and they look pretty comfortable. I'm going to get myself a pair of those and try them out. I also have a pair of boxer briefs that I can use as a harness, since it is small and fitted.
Learning how to pee with it didn't take me a long time - it only took me two days to learn it. I got the hang of it right away the first time I used it (which was at the toilet at home). Since the urethra on my real penis is on the penis itself (although its on the underside of it), the urine usually flows right on the prosthetic penis itself or the upper part of the prosthetic's scrotum (which makes the urine spill into the cup). The cup seals the back of my natal scrotum very well - I've haven't had any accidents with it, even when I used it for the very first time. When I pee with just my natal anatomy, the vast majority of the urine flows through the urethra. However, because I have hypospadias, a micropenis, chordee, and a bifid scrotum, a small amount of the urine flows through my rear end, which is why whenever I pee with my own penis, I have to pull my pants (including my underwear) down to my ankles and I have to make sure my rear end faces the shallow end of the toilet in order to catch the pee. If it weren't for this issue, I would be able to pee like most males, which is the second reason I got this prosthetic - for more convenient urination, particularly in public. The FreeToM does a great job at sealing that area and catching the urine that flows to the rear.
Peeing with this is quite easy. Whenever you pee, you just put your hand on the scrotum and press it a bit towards your body and you aim the penis towards the toilet/urinal. As you're peeing, put a couple of your fingers on the scrotum and push it upwards a bit. Then after you're done peeing, make sure to sweep the scrotum from the bottom to the top to get all the urine out. Do this until all the pee is out of the cup. Make sure to point the penis downwards after you pee - as you're getting rid of every last drop on the cup - and shake it a bit to make sure you get all the pee out. Since everyone's anatomy is different, I highly suggest you play around with it (use different positions and all that stuff) to find out what works for you (even I've had to do that). If you're new to STPing, I suggest you do this in the shower first and then progress towards peeing in a toilet with all your clothes on (I personally didn't need to do this, despite the fact that this was my first STP device).
Peeing with the rod on is pretty decent. Although I should note that if you don't put the rod in deep enough, some of the pee accumulates around the rod and you have to squeeze the penis in order to get the urine out, which means you have to spend a little more extra time in the bathroom. The rod is very easy to remove and it is very portable. You can keep it in your pocket and take it out and put in the prosthetic when you're ready to use it for play.
I've heard plenty of people say that peeing with the FreeToM is difficult and that they've had accidents and stuff, but that hasn't been my experience (although I could be biased since I'm not a transsexual man). I'm not sure why this is but its probably because 1) they're not using it properly (especially when we're talking about first timers) and 2) it just doesn't work for their bodies. But at the same time there have been plenty of positive reviews about the FreeToM out there with the same experiences I've had. Overall, I don't think the issue is the product itself but rather the people who are using it. Always remember to take every review (including this one) with a grain of salt.
Something I like to do when I pleasure myself is dry humping. Normally, I dry hump with just my underwear or with my pants on, but dry humping into the prosthetic is even better. Thrusting into the prosthetic is much more pleasurable than thrusting into cloth (it still feels good, its just that with the prosthetic its even more so). I noticed that my orgasms are more intense when I'm humping into the prosthetic, as opposed to cloth. I originally thought that the pleasure slide didn't work for me but after some playing around I found out that I can access it by simply adjusting the prosthetic to face my real dick (it feels really good too).
I have given myself plenty of handjobs with it and just like with the previous thing it feels really pleasurable. I can access the pleasure slide more easily with this position, but it seems especially true while I'm laying down. The next thing I'm going to try is masturbate with a fleshlight, and use it for actual penis-in-vagina sex.
I definitely recommend using a harness for play. Constantly re-adjusing yourself while playing is a definite mood killer (I haven't used it for sexual intercourse yet but I've simulated it). One thing to note is that the prosthetic makes a suction noise but its not that big of a deal (at least for me).
The rod is very easy to get on and off. When you take it off, grab the shaft and pull the rod out with your fingers. It takes minimal effort to do this. Don't pull on the head when you take it off or you risk damaging the prosthetic, since the layer of silicone is thin there. It is sturdy and portable, which means that you can put it in your pocket and put it on the prosthetic when you're ready for play. From what I've heard from others, the prosthetic should be sturdy enough for play even without the rod, but having the rod in there during play makes things easier.
When using condoms, make sure to only use water-based ones as well as water-based lubricants. Oil/silicone-based lubricants and condoms will ruin the prosthetic. Always use a condom during sex in order to prevent the build-up of bacteria in the urethra, and of course, STDs/STIs. (Also, don't forget that you also have the option of using a female condom, if your sex partner is female.)
The first condom I used with it was a Durex PleasureMax. This was my first time using a condom and so I fumbled a bit when I put it on (it took me a bit to roll it down). Once I got past that, it became easier. Rolling it down the first quarter was the easiest part and fit quite snuggly, however, once I progressed halfway down the shaft it became a bit more challenging to roll (because the shaft is the thickens as it progresses down towards the base) but I managed to put it on (since condoms are stretchable) and overall it isn't very difficult to put on. I would have to say that these condoms are a pretty decent fit and would recommend for use with this prosthetic (and a bonus benefit is that they're ribbed), although a bigger condom would be even better.
Overall, wearing this prosthetic makes me feel like a total and complete badass! Wearing a bigger penis, overall, makes me feel like huge badass! I'm really loving this prosthetic and I look forward to purchasing from FreeToM again in the near future. For me personally, it was worth the money.
I don't recommend this prosthetic if you're new to prosthetics and packing since the big size will probably intimidate you (you don't need to look far to see that this has been the case). If you do decide to get this despite this being your first prosthetic, remember that you're doing this at your own risk. But if you're looking for something big this is a great option.
I'm planing on trying out more prosthetics from FreeToM in the future, in order to also try to help out an extremely underserved population (the intersex male population, that is). In addition, I'm going to try out some of the more higher-end prosthetics from Reekmagik, Emisil, Synthetics, and a couple of others, and Transthetics "The Rod" (which should be interesting), so there'll be plenty more prosthetic penis reviews from an intersex guy's point of view in the future! I'm actually planing on having a little collection of prosthetic penises :D .
