How Does A Penis Ring Work

How Does A Penis Ring Work
Medically Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on December 16, 2020
Cock rings are rings that go around the penis and/or scrotum. They slow blood flow out of an erect penis and can help make erections harder and longer-lasting. Some may also have little vibrators to increase pleasure for you and your partner.
Cock rings are also known as penis rings, tension rings, and constriction rings. They may also be marketed as erectile dysfunction (ED) rings, but people without this condition may want to use them, too.
Soft and stretchy rings. These are the most common and generally the cheapest rings available. They are circles of a soft material, often silicone. They’re easy to use and remove. It may take some trial and error to find the right fit.
Adjustable cock rings. These use lasso adjusters, velcro, or other fasteners to allow the wearer to adjust the fit as needed.
Vibrating cock rings. These have a small vibrator attached. The sensation may feel good for men, but these are generally designed to stimulate a woman’s clitoris during sex.
Solid cock rings. These rings are only for very experienced users. Even then, you may want to avoid them. There is a danger of penis strangulation with metal cock rings that fit poorly, get stuck, or are left on too long.
Cock rings make sex more intense and last longer. Specific benefits include:
There are a few common misconceptions about cock rings:
They’re Only for Older Men with Erectile Dysfunction
Not at all. People with no medical issues use cock rings. They may want the erection to last longer, increase sensitivity, or add a new element such as vibration or texture for their partner.
No. Cock rings cannot help you avoid pregnancy in any way.
When you use them correctly, cock rings should not cause pain. The new sensation may take some getting used to, but if it hurts, remove the ring right away. It may be a symptom of something else or simply an indication that you need a different size or style of ring.
Pick a beginner-friendly ring, something soft, stretchy, and easy to remove. Use the least constrictive size that still stays on and helps maintain your erection .
Psychologist and sex expert Antonia Hall, in an interview with Cosmopol itan magazine, recommends putting the ring on while the penis is flaccid or only semi-erect. Use lubricant to make it easier to slide the ring on, and then continue stimulating the penis until it’s erect.
If you want to wear your ring over your testicles, Hall suggests sliding them in one at a time. Remember: the fit should be snug but not uncomfortable.
The best way to use a cock ring to help with ED will depend on your specific problem.
If you can get an erection but have trouble keeping it, you can try the cock ring by itself. If you struggle to become erect, you may want to use your ring with a penis pump.
After pulling blood into your penis with the pump, slip your ring around the base of your penis before you remove the pump. The erection should last long enough for sex. A little light bruising afterward is normal.
Because cock rings restrict blood flow, it’s important not to wear one for longer than 20 minutes. Start by wearing one for just 5 minutes at a time to give yourself time to get used to the feeling. If you feel discomfort, take it off immediately.
If you’re using the cock ring as a sex aid for erectile dysfunction, make sure that you’ve talked to a doctor about your symptoms. There are many health conditions that can cause ED or make it worse, including heart disease, diabetes, alcohol problems, and mental health issues. It’s important to get help for those conditions and not use a sex toy to mask the symptoms.
Also, consult a doctor before use if you are on blood-thinning medication or have a bleeding disorder.
Do not fall asleep while using the ring, and don’t use it while you’re impaired by drugs or alcohol. It could lead to potential injury.
Allow at least 60 minutes between uses.
Remember that sex toys can transmit STIs . You may also risk other kinds of infection if you don’t clean them properly.
For most toys, water and a mild dish soap or antibacterial hand soap should do the trick. If your device vibrates or otherwise uses power, you may not want to submerge it in water, but make sure you get it fully clean with soap and a damp cloth.
For further instructions, refer to the directions on your sex toy’s label. At the very least, it should list the material, which may require special care.
Cosmopolitan : “Can You Use Cock Rings for Stronger Orgasms?”
Food and Drug Administration: Center for Devices and Radiological Health: “Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: External Penile Rigidity Devices.”
Journal of Pharmacy : “Successful Removal of Metal Rings Causing Penile Strangulation.”
Mayo Clinic: “Erectile dysfunction: Nonoral treatments.”
Men’s Health : “How Penis Rings Can Help You Have Better Sex.”
Self : “How to Clean Your Sex Toys So You Can Use Them Safely.”
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WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

How an Erectile Dysfunction Ring Can Help Erectile Dysfunction

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Dennis Sifris, MD, is an HIV specialist and Medical Director of LifeSense Disease Management. James Myhre is an American journalist and HIV educator.

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Jamin Brahmbhatt, MD, is board-certified in urology. He is an assistant professor at UCF College of Medicine and chief of surgery at Orlando Health South Lake Hospital.

The first treatments that tend to come to mind when you talk about erectile dysfunction (ED) are drugs like Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) . But several nondrug options can also help improve erections either on their own or with other ED treatments.

This article explores one such option, called an erectile dysfunction ring, that may be useful in people with mild ED or those in whom ED drugs are either ineffective or cannot be used . The article also lists the possible risks of ED rings and the people who should not use them.

Marco Verch / Flickr Creative Commons license 2.0 generic

An erectile dysfunction ring is an elastic or solid band that fits around the base of the penis to help maintain an erection. Also known as a penile ring, tension ring, or "cock ring," it helps treat ED by preventing the backflow of blood from the penis when it is erect. By doing so, both the quality and duration of an erection can be improved. 1

Some people with mild ED may benefit from using an ED ring on its own or with a device called a vacuum pump ("penis pump") that draws blood into the penis using suction.

Others may use ED rings as part of a holistic treatment plan involving ED medications called PDE5 inhibitors , lifestyle changes (e.g., exercise and weight loss), counseling , injectable drugs like Caverject (alprostadil) , and testosterone replacement therapy . 2

Erectile dysfunction, formerly known as impotence, is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. It is a condition that commonly affects people over the age of 40. The risk increases with age, with around 40 percent affected by age 40 and nearly 70 percent affected by age 70. 3

There are many possible causes of ED, many of which are aging-related and others of which are not . It is not uncommon for several different conditions to contribute to ED.

Causes and risk factors of ED include: 2

ED rings can help treat certain aspects of erectile dysfunction, namely those affecting blood flow to the penis (such as high blood pressure or vascular disease) or the entrapment of blood once the penis is engorged (such as penile trauma and Peyronie's disease). 1 They may not be as useful if ED is due to a neurological, hormonal, or psychological cause. 1

An erection is a complex physiological response involving nerves, hormones, blood vessels, connective tissues, and smooth muscles.

The penis itself is comprised of two tube-like structures, called the corpora cavernosa , that run the length of the penis and become engorged with blood during an erection.

To prevent the backflow of blood, a band of fiber near the base of the penis called the tunica albuginea will tighten, capturing blood that would otherwise escape. When sexual arousal has passed, the tunica albuginea will relax and the penis will return to its flaccid state. 4

In people with ED, the flow of blood into the corpora cavernosa may be impaired and/or the tunica albuginea may become less efficient. 2 An ED ring can help overcome both of these issues. Even if the blood flow is reduced, any blood that enters the penis will become trapped as the base of the penis begins to swell and becomes compressed by the ring. 1

ED rings work by supporting the tunica albuginea, which tends to thicken and harden with age and become less efficient. 5 It can do the same if the tunica albuginea becomes lax, such as can occur with Peyronie's disease or penile trauma. 6

Erectile dysfunction rings are popular options for people with ED in that they don't require a prescription or a doctor's visit. They are relatively cheap, reusable, and can be easily found online or in adult sex shops.

There are both soft and hard ED rings made with different materials, including silicone, rubber, neoprene, leather, plastic, or metal. Many are designed as solid rings of various thicknesses and circumferences. Others are adjustable types and held in place with snaps, velcro, or other fasteners.

There are also variations that not only fit around the base of the penis but have a second attached ring, sometimes called a "ball stretcher," that is worn around the base of the scrotum . This additional attachment is said to enhance erections.

There are also vibrating rings that can be stimulating for both male and female partners. Lasso-type rings are long pieces of cord, often made of leather or rubber, that are held in place by a neck bandanna-type ring.

The choice of ED ring is largely a personal one. With that said, solid rings need to be properly sized so that they are comfortable and neither too tight nor too loose when you get an erection. This is less of a concern with adjustable rings or soft silicone rings that are stretchy.

Before use, some people will "manscape" the area around the base of the penis, shaving away excess hair so that they don't get snagged as you put on the device. It can also reduce irritation and chafing if you are especially hairy.

Because the design of ED rings can vary, follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure the ring is put on and worn correctly. This can reduce the risk of discomfort or injury.

Vacuum pumps can be used beforehand to achieve an erection. After suctioning, grab the base on the penis with one hand to keep blood from escaping and quickly apply the ED ring with the other hand. Soft silicone or adjustable ED rings are best suited for this.

There are risks associated with ED rings and certain people who should not use them.

Because ED rings restrict blood flow, it’s important to not wear one for longer than 30 minutes. 7 This is especially true if you take Viagra or other PDE inhibitors. Doing so can lead to a medical emergency called priapism in which the penis remains erect.

If an ED ring is "stuck" and cannot be removed, blood circulation can become strangulated and lead to tissue death or nerve damage. 8

Adjustable rings or soft silicone rings are generally safer as they can be easily removed or cut off in an emergency. Metal rings should be avoided . 7

If an ED ring causes pain, numbness, bruising, pins-and-needles sensations, or the skin to turn blue, remove it immediately. These are signs that the ring is too small and needs either adjustment or replacement.

Certain people should not use ED rings. These include people with sickle cell disease and blood-clotting disorders , as the restriction of blood flow can lead to the formation of clots and the total obstruction of a blood vessel. 9

Speak to your doctor if you are on blood thinners like warfarin or antiplatelet drugs like Plavix (clopidogrel) before using an ED ring or any other constrictive ED device. 10

Never fall asleep with an ED ring still on. 7

An erectile dysfunction ring is a band that goes around the base of the penis to restrict blood flow out of the penis and maintain an erection. ED rings are available over the counter in many different designs. Care must be taken that the ring is not too tight or there can be damage to the penile tissues. People with clotting disorders or those taking anticoagulants should not use an ED ring.

Erection dysfunction rings are simple and often effective means to improve the quality or duration of erections. For some people, they may be all that is needed to sustain an erection suitable for intercourse.

If they are not, do not be embarrassed to speak with your primary care provider, who may refer to you a urologist for further evaluation. Generally speaking, a urologist should be seen if you are failing to get or sustain an erection 50 percent of the time or if ED is causing emotional distress or affecting your relationship or ability to conceive. 11

There are many treatments for ED today that extend beyond Viagra or Cialis. By meeting with a specialist, you can pinpoint the cause and find the options that work best for you as an individual.

It can be if used correctly. The International Society of Sexual Medicine recommends silicone or adjustable rings that can be easily removed rather than metal rings that can get "stuck" and cause a medical emergency known as priapism in which an abnormally prolonged erection can cut off blood circulation in the penis. 7
Size matters when choosing a ring. If you choose to use a solid ring, you can get the right size by wrapping a length of string around the base of the penis, ideally while it is erect. To get the correct circumference, fold the string in half and measure it. Soft silicone and adjustable rings are generally easier to use and size.
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Koifman L, Hampl D, Silva MI, Pessoa PGA, Ornella AA, Barros R. Treatment options and outcomes of penile constriction devices . Int Braz J Urol. 2019 Mar-Apr;45(2):384–91. doi:10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2018.0667
Sooriyamoorthy T, Leslie SW. Erectile dysfunction . In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2021.
Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education. Erectile dysfunction .
Panchasharam PK, Durland J, Zito PM. Physiology, erection . In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2021.
El-Sakka AI. Reversion of penile fibrosis: current information and a new horizon . J Urol. 2011 Mar;9(1):49–55. doi:10.1016/j.aju.2011.03.013
Cuartas JPS, Sandoval-Salinas C, Martínez JM, Corredor HA. Treatment of priapism secondary to drugs for erectile dysfunction . Advances Urol. 2019;2019:6214921. doi:10.1155/2019/6214921
Kato GJ. Priapism in sickle cell disease: a hematologist’s perspective . J Sex Med. 2012 Jan;9(1):70–8. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02287.x
Yuan J, Hoang A, Romero C, et al. Vacuum therapy in erectile dysfunction—science and clinical evidence . Int J Impot Res. 2010;22:211-9. doi:10.1038/ijir.2010.4
Cleveland Clinic. Erectile dysfunction .
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Penis Rings: What Are They Used For?

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Penis rings are not just used as a sex toy. Rather, by improving blood flow to your penis, they can be used to improve erections in people with erectile dysfunction (ED) too.
In fact, whilst they were designed to enhance sexual pleasure, penis rings have a variety of different uses. Preventing premature ejaculation may be one, whilst penis rings can also be used to help men recover after prostate surgery as well.
Penis rings are rings worn at the base of the penis. They are designed to restrict blood flow from the erect penis so that erections become – and remain – harder than normal. They are usually made of flexible materials such as silicon. However, they can be made of more rigid metal, plastic, or leather.
Whilst designed as a sex toy that increases penile sensitivity, penis rings have been shown to be hugely effective in helping erectile dysfunction (ED) and maybe in helping premature ejaculation too. In this article, we’ll look at what penis rings can be used for – from sexual pleasure, to recovery post-surgery.
To understand what a penis ring can be used for, you need to be clear on how an erection works.
Erections happen due to a combination of psychological and physical factors:
When you are aroused, your brain sends nerve signals to promote nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation of the blood vessels supplying the penis. This engorgement of blood promotes the extension and contraction of the erectile tissues within the penis. Additionally, the muscles compress the veins (i.e. the blood leaving the penis), so this maximises the blood within the penis. This keeps your erection hard.
Achieving and maintaining an erection requires a healthy cardiovascular system and health
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