You’ve probably seen penis rings, a.k.a. cock rings, on the shelf at a sex shop or even at your local bodega. But you might not know that the cock ring is basically the superfood of sex toys: It pumps up your performance and enhances your pleasure in many different ways. And unlike other sex toys that require extensive preparation (e.g., butt plugs, masturbation sleeves, and anal beads), you can easily pop on a cock ring within seconds and be ready to go.
A circular band that wraps around the base of your penis, a cock ring can not only make your erection bigger and harder, it can also help you last longer during sex and even help your partner reach orgasm. (Not to mention that it also feels pleasurable to have additional pressure and stimulation on your penis, and when you use a powerful vibrating cock ring, you experience a more full-body orgasm, as opposed to an orgasm that’s localized to your genitals.)
Regardless of the benefits of cock rings, some people with a penis may still be apprehensive about the prospect of sticking their members into a snug little hoop. (What if it gets stuck?! What if I can’t orgasm with it on?) So if you’re curious about trying one, here’s everything you need to know about how to safely use a cock ring, so you can take your sex life to the next level. (We also provided a few of our favorite recommendations, but if you want specifics on each cock ring and why we recommend it, head here.)
The benefits of penis rings
1) They help you maintain an erection, even if you have trouble getting one to begin with.
No matter what type of toy you use, they all work similarly: the ring traps blood inside the shaft of your penis, which helps you maintain an erection, says Brian Steixner, M.D., chief of urology at Atlanticare Regional Medical Center.
A tight-fitting ring at the base of your penis can also help prevent “venous leakage,” a type of erectile dysfunction that results from tissues in your penis failing to properly lock in blood, Steixner adds..
2) They boost your confidence.
Stressing about staying hard may prevent you from doing just that. “Erections require relaxation,” explains sex and relationship therapist Chris Donaghue, Ph.D. Using a penis ring may help relieve some of that performance anxiety, Donaghue says.
A cock ring can also boost your confidence size-wise, says Taylor Sparks, erotic educator & sex goddess of OrganicLoven.com, a company that improves adults’ sexual health and wellness through organic and eco-friendly products, sex-positive books, and educational seminars. “Men of all sizes can benefit from the additional blood in the penis, ‘making their junk look bigger,'” Sparks points out.
3) They can delay and intensify your orgasm.
Anecdotally, some men say that cock rings can help delay ejaculation by compressing the area surrounding the base of the penis and testicles, says Brandon Bartling, manager of the Pleasure Chest sex shop in New York City. Which makes sense: It’s almost like a modified version of the squeeze technique, a common tactic to delay 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 to delay ejaculation.
4) They can make sex better for your partner.
If your partner is female, she may need a little extra help getting off: only a small percentage of women can reach orgasm from penetrative sex alone. Vibrating cock rings can help stimulate your partner’s clitoris during intercourse, Bartling says. Other cock ring models have built-in “girth extenders” that make your penis feel wider to your partner when you’re inside them if that’s something they’re down to try.
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Are cock rings safe?
Most of the time, yes. Just follow these simple guidelines.
1) Make sure it fits.
You want the ring tight but not so tight that you feel numb.
“I recommend adjustable or stretchy silicone for novices because they are easier to adjust to your size,” says Kara Emry, manager of the sex-toy store The Stockroom in Los Angeles.
2) Take it off after 20 minutes.
This one is pretty important. “The penis can be permanently injured if the ring is left on too long,” Steixner says. If you feel numbness, pain, or notice the skin changing color, remove it immediately.
3) Maintain your manscaping.
It’s smart to trim or shave your pubic hair before strapping on your new toy. “Nothing spoils the mood like unwanted pain from hair being pulled when putting on a cock ring,” says Hernando Chaves, a sex therapist based in Beverly Hills.
The 6 types of penis rings
1) Adjustable rings
These rings use Velcro, snaps, D-rings, or lasso-style adjusters to help you easily wrap on and remove the toy, says Emry. They’re worn underneath your scrotum and around your penis.
2) Stretchy rings
Usually made of a soft silicone, this type of ring is a closed circle that you stretch to wrap around your penis and under your scrotum.
“They’re a popular choice because they are easy to remove, but because they’re not adjustable, they may not be as tight as the wearer would like,” Emry explains.
3) Vibrating rings
Vibrating cock rings feature a small motor that provides vibrating sensations for you and your partner. “Some men love the vibration, but mostly these are worn to help the woman achieve a more intense clitoral climax,” Emry says.
Unlike the other rings on this list, vibrating cock rings are usually worn at the base of the shaft—but not below the testicles.
Stimulating her clitoris with a vibrating ring can take a little practice. You may need to stay deep inside her, working your hips from side to side instead of moving in and out, says Chaves. “Missionary and girl-on-top work best with vibrating cock rings when it comes to clitoral sensation,” he says.
4) Solid rings
Solid rings are not for beginners. They’re worn at the base of the penis and behind the scrotum. Exercise caution before using one of these: “If a man uses one that’s too small for his erectile capacity, it can cause penile damage,” Donaghue says.
When it comes to solid cock rings, Sparks recommends the Jnaja, from Vel’vor. “The Jnaja cock ring fits snug against the body, as it is curved, and fits around both the cock and the penis,” Sparks says. “It also has a small ‘tail’ that stimulates the perineum with each stroke, giving him a much more intense orgasm. This cock ring is designed to be worn all day, but must be sized correctly.” (Sizing instructions are available on Organic Loven’s website.)
6) Cock and ball rings
Some penis 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 folks who like testicle stimulation during sex (or enjoying having their balls pulled lightly). These rings also are particularly helpful for delaying ejaculation because it pulls your testicles away from your body (and in order to ejaculate, your testicles need to retract into your body).
7) Cock ring + butt plug combo toys
There are certain cock rings that connect to a butt plug. It’s a two-for-one deal! You place the cock ring around your base and then insert the butt plug for additional stimulation.
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