What is a “Cock Ring”?

What Is A “Cock Ring”

A cock ring is often used to make an erect penis harder and bigger, to keep it that way for a longer amount of time, and to delay and heighten orgasm. Cock rings work by constricting blood flow, keeping blood in the shaft of the penis. When a wearer finally does ejaculate, the sensation is more intense, because it took a longer to come, and because the penis is filled with additional blood.

Men use cock rings with partners or by themselves (masturbation). Some are actual rings as their name suggests, made of metal or rubber. Since these cock rings are not adjustable, the right size needs to be chosen for a proper fit. For example, one that fits too tightly could be difficult to remove and could cut off circulation in the penis entirely. Metal rings can be irritating and cause a skin rash in some men, so this is something to consider when shopping for one. Adjustable cock rings made of  leather straps are easier for beginners to use since the fit can be adjusted, and taking them off is more manageable. There are also vibrating cock rings that stimulates a females clitoris and cock rings with prostate massagers or anal plug combinations. However, avoid using cock ring substitutes like: rubber bands, binder clips, and vices, They may cause too much constriction.

Cock rings fit over the shaft of the penis and sometimes the shaft and the testicles/scrotum when a man is not erect, or semi-erect. Ball by ball, the testicles go through, then the penis shaft goes in head first through the remaining ring space. The ideal cock ring will stay in place when the penis is soft, yet it can fairly easily slip off or unsnap when the penis is hard. Lube can be added to make putting rings on and taking them off a little easier. The flexibility of rubber and other elasticized cock rings allows a greater range of fit for more differently endowed men, but they are not one-size-fits-all.

For safety and pleasure, a cock ring needs to increase the size of the erection only slightly. If you notice more pronounced swelling, then the fit is too tight. In that case, remove the cock ring immediately. It’s also vital for men to take off their cock ring at the first sign of pain or if the genitals feel cold. It’s also dangerous to leave a ring on for too long or wearing one to sleep. An erection of several hours can cause blood coagulation in the penis, making it difficult to lose the erection. This is called priapism, a prolonged erection. Since new blood cannot enter the penis, this can be severely painful and cause permanent damage to the erectile tissue. If this happens, seek medical attention as soon as possible.  The emergency room has seen cases like this before.