You've probably seen it penis rings, in a sex shop. But what you might not know is that a cock ring is basically the superfood of sex toys: it boosts your performance and enhances your pleasure in many different ways. And unlike other sex toys that require a lot of preparation (eg, butt plugs, masturbation sleeves), you can easily put on the ring in seconds and be ready for action.
Circular bands that wrap around the base of your penis, the penis ring can not only make your erection bigger and harder, it can also help you last longer during sex and even help your partner to achieve orgasm. (Not to mention that it's also nice to have extra pressure and stimulation on your penis, and when you use a powerful vibrating penis ring, you experience more of a full-body orgasm, as opposed to one that's localized to your genitals.)
Regardless of the benefits of penis rings, some men still fear the prospect of tying their "boyfriend" into a tight ring. (What if it gets stuck?! What if I can't orgasm with it?) So, if you're curious to try it out, here's everything you need to know about how to use the cock ring safely so you can raise your sex life at a higher level. (We've also provided a few of our favorite recommendations, but if you want specs on each cock ring and why we recommend it, check out the cock rings category on our site.)
The benefits of penis rings
1) They help you maintain an erection, even if you have trouble getting one.
No matter what type of toy you use, they all work the same way: The ring traps blood in the middle of your penis, which helps you maintain an erection, says Brian Steixner, MD, chief of urology at Atlanticer Regional Medical Center.
A ring attached to the base of your penis can also help prevent "venous leakage," a type of erectile dysfunction that results from the failure of the tissues in your penis to properly block blood, Steixner adds.
2) They increase your self-esteem.
Stressing that you need to stand firm can prevent you from doing just that. "Erections require relaxation," explains sex and relationship therapist Chris Donaghue, Ph.D. Using a cock ring can help alleviate that performance anxiety, says Donaghue.
A cock ring can also boost your size confidence, says Taylor Sparks, erotic educator and sex goddess of OrganicLoven, a company that improves the sexual health and well-being of adults through organic and eco-friendly products, sex-positive and educational books. seminars. "Men of all sizes can benefit from extra penile blood, making their 'boyfriend' look bigger," Sparks points out.
3) They can delay and intensify your orgasm.
Some men say that cock rings can help delay ejaculation by compressing the area around the base of the penis and testicles, says Brandon Bartling, manager of the Pleasure Chest sex shop in New York. Which makes sense: It's almost like a modified version of the squeeze technique, a common tactic for delaying orgasm. There are also penis rings that have a second ring that wraps around your testicles. That second ring pulls your testicles down, which helps delay ejaculation.
4) They can make sex better for your partner.
Women may need a little extra help to orgasm: only a small percentage of women can achieve orgasm from penetrative sex alone. Vibrating cock rings can help stimulate your partner's clitoris during intercourse, Bartling says. Other types of cock rings have built-in "area extenders" that make your penis feel wider to your partner when you're inside them, if that's something they want to try.
Are penis rings safe?
Mostly, yes. Just follow these simple instructions.
1) Make sure it fits.
You want the ring to be tight, but not so tight that it feels stiff.
"I recommend adjustable or elastic silicone for beginners because they adjust to your size more easily," says Cara Emry, manager of sex toy store The Stockroom in Los Angeles.
2) Take it out after 20 minutes.
This is pretty important. "The penis can be permanently damaged if the ring is left in for too long," Steixner says. If you feel stiffness, pain, or notice that the skin changes color, remove it immediately.
3) Maintain your "friend".
It is wise to trim or shave your pubic hair before inserting the new toy. "Nothing ruins the mood like the unwanted pain of pulling your hair while putting on a pen ring," says Hernando Chavez, a Beverly Hills-based sex therapist.
Five types of penis rings
1) Adjustable rings
These rings use lasso-style adjusters to help you get the toy on and off easily, says Emry. They are worn under your scrotum and around your penis.
2) Stretch rings
Usually made of soft silicone, this type of ring is a closed circle that you stretch to fit around your penis and under the scrotum.
"They're a popular choice because they're easy to remove, but because they're not adjustable, they may not be as tight as the wearer would like," explains Emry.
3) Vibrating penis rings
Vibrating penis rings have a small motor that provides vibrating sensations for you and your partner. "Some men like the vibrations, but mostly they are worn to help the woman achieve a more intense clitoral climax," says Emry.
Unlike the other rings on this list, vibrating rings are usually worn at the base of the penis – but not under the testicles.
Stimulating her clitoris with a vibrating ring may take some practice and more practice. You may need to stay deep in it, making lateral movements instead of just moving in and out, Chavez says. "Missionary and girl-on-top work best with vibrating rings when it comes to clitoral orgasm," he says.
4) Solid rings
Solid rings are not for beginners. They are worn at the base of the penis and behind the scrotum. Be careful before using one of these: "If a man uses a ring that's too small for his erectile capacity, it can cause penile damage," says Donaghue.
Check out the collection of penis rings on our side
5) Penis and scrotum rings
Some cock rings actually have two rings, one that wraps around the base of your penis and one that wraps around your testicles. These rings are great for people who like testicular stimulation during sex (or enjoy a light tug on their balls). These rings are also especially useful for delaying ejaculation because they pull the testicles away from your body (and in order to ejaculate, the testicles need to retract into your body).