The truth about 'tucking': Trans women reveal the downsides of scrunching their ... trends now

It never looked comfortable — now we know that it's not.

Nearly two thirds of male-to-female transitioners who squish their privates to avoid a bulging crotch describe some kind of pain as a result.

That's according to the University of Virginia's first-of-its kind study on 'tucking,' as it is known.

Pain, itching and rashes are common problems in the tender area, researchers found.

But some tuckers get it worse.

At least one-in-ten got urinary tract infections.

Others endure 'twisted gonads' and skin infections.

A handful of tuckers end up infertile from scrunching their privates too hard.

Nicholas Kidd, Kelley Mark and the other researchers said doctors must try harder to help trans patients.

They should 'empathetically discuss tucking and its potential risks and benefits,' says the five-page study.

From corsets to push-up bras, people have for centuries used clothes to shape how their body looks.

The sharp rise in men who see themselves as women in recent years has spurred demand for clothes that make them appear more feminine.

Few trans women have full genital-removal surgery, so tucking is a preferred option.

They do this to 'alleviate dysphoria and feel safer,' the study says.