Cock rings can be a fun and effective way to improve the strength of your erection without prescription ED medication.
And when used properly, cock rings can be fun for both partners, offering a drug-free approach to firmer or longer-lasting erections and even unique stimulation during sex.
While there are potential dangers to using a cock ring, these devices are considered a safe and effective way to enhance the quality of your sex life. Women like cock rings, men like them, and there’s no end to the variety of penis rings you can get today.
Here’s a primer on cock rings and what they can do for you.
What Is a Cock Ring and What Does It Do?
Cock rings have several names, including penis rings, constriction bands, and tension rings, but they all work the same way. These small rings are designed to fit over and around the base of the penis. Some are created to fit around your testicles as well.
Cock rings are made with a variety of materials including silicon, rubber, leather, and even metal.
Wearing a cock ring can serve two purposes:
First, a cock ring increases the amount of pressure on blood vessels that are located in the penis and pelvic area. By squeezing the blood vessels responsible for carrying blood away from the penis, a cock ring can help trap blood in the penis, resulting in firmer erections that last longer.
Second, cock rings can change the sensation of sex for men and woman alike, offering unique sexual experiences. Depending on ring size, material, and more, cock rings are known to enhance pleasure for everyone involved.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Cock Ring?
Although often used as a medical device to manage erectile dysfunction, cock rings are frequently used “recreationally” as well.
Several types of cock rings are available, and each can provide various benefits. Depending on the type of cock ring you use, here are some of the benefits:
Penis Rings Can Help With Erectile Dysfunction
Perhaps the most common reason for using a cock ring is to help manage the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. In most cases of erectile dysfunction, issues related to blood flow and circulation (like cardiovascular diseases and hypertension) can impede blood flow and make it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection. Blood flow is, after all, the primary determinant of a strong erection (your penis holds seven times its normal blood volume during an erection!).
For many men, using a cock ring can help to trap more blood inside of the penis and maintain a firm erection for longer.
More severe cases may require a vacuum pump in addition to a cock ring to first draw blood into the penis. Once the penis is erect, the cock ring can help keep blood trapped inside the penis.
A Cock Ring Can Increase Sensation
With more blood trapped in the penis than usual, many men report feeling increased sensation or changes to sensitivity when using a penis ring. Along with enhanced pleasure, it’s common to experience more powerful and intense orgasms too.
Specialized cock rings like those that vibrate can lead to even more intense sensations for both partners!
A Penis Ring Can Benefit Your Partner
Depending on the type of cock ring that you use, it’s possible to not only enhance your sexual experience but the experience of your partner as well.
Many different types of cock rings are designed specifically to benefit your partner. Some cock rings may vibrate or include protrusions designed to stimulate the clitoris, vulva, or anus during sex.
What Are the Risks Involved With a Cock Ring?
While cock rings can bring a lot of excitement and enhanced pleasure into the bedroom, they also come with a few risks. But with the right precautions, cock rings shouldn’t be an issue. Here are some tips to make sure that you don’t end up hurting yourself using a cock ring:
- Set a timer and make sure that you don’t wear the cock ring for longer than 20-30 minutes at a time. Remember that a penis ring performs its function by manipulating your blood circulation. Any longer than 30 minutes and you risk permanent nerve damage to your penis.
- If you have a bleeding disorder or a blood condition, you should not use a cock ring. Medical conditions such as anemia, hemophilia, blood clots, and various blood cancers can become even more dangerous when combined with a cock ring.
- Use some lube in order to get the ring on and off more easily. Penis rings are designed to be tight to do their job, but it shouldn’t be so tight that it causes bruising, discomfort, or cuts off your circulation entirely.
What Are Some Other Ways To Improve Erections Besides a Cock Ring?
If you'd rather not use a cock ring for whatever reason, you can improve your erections and enhance your sex life in other ways. Cock ring alternatives include:
Getting More Exercise
Erections rely on consistent and strong blood flow. Strengthening your cardiovascular system can help improve the amount of blood flowing into your penis, as well as stamina. Walking, jogging, running, cycling, and rowing are good cardio exercises for this Try to get four sessions of 40-minute activity in each week.
Eating a Healthier Diet
Some foods can contribute to erectile dysfunction. Those high in sodium can lead to high blood pressure, foods high in sugar can lead to diabetes, and foods high in saturated fat can lead to high cholesterol. All three medical conditions have been connected to erectile dysfunction. Replacing these foods with more vegetables, fruits, fish, and whole grains will reduce the risks of developing cardiovascular issues.
Losing Some Weight
Obesity is one of the primary contributing factors to erectile dysfunction. Body mass index (BMI) is a metric used to evaluate health. The higher your BMI the higher your risk of experiencing erectile dysfunction. Individuals with a BMI of 30 or above, indicating clinical obesity, are three times more likely to experience erectile dysfunction than men with a BMI of 25 or lower.
The Right Medications
Common and popular prescription medications can provide a stronger and longer-lasting erection.
Viagra®, Cialis®, and Levitra® are phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors that block the function of enzymes in your blood vessels, allowing them to remain open, relaxed, and dilated and leading to an increase in blood flow into your penis. They work well for the majority of men who try them, and they’re incredibly common.
These medications require a prescription (though you can now do it online with Rex MD).
It’s important to note that these medications aren’t right for everyone, and they can interact with medications such as blood thinners or nitrates that are prescribed to treat hypertension and angina. If you’re taking these types of medications, talk to your doctor before taking a PDE5 inhibitor.
Stop Smoking
Smoking can have devastating effects on your overall health, in addition to your sexual performance. Not only does smoke damage your lungs and heart, but the chemicals and nicotine contribute to constricted blood vessels and increase blood pressure.
In fact, smoking is the leading cause of erectile dysfunction in men under the age of 40. Quitting smoking is one of the fastest ways to improve erections and your overall sexual health.
Check Your Medications
Erectile dysfunction is a common side effect of a wide variety of medications. If you've suddenly started to experience difficulties with your erections after starting a new medication, check the potential side effects and talk to your doctor about potentially switching to alternative treatments.
The Takeaway on Penis Rings
A cock ring can be an easy way to enhance your erections, pleasure, and overall sexual performance.
Penis rings can be fun for both you and your partner, too!
It’s important to take proper precautions and be safe when using them. Cock rings need to be tight enough to work, but not tight enough to hurt or become stuck. You should also make sure to never wear a cock ring for more than 30 minutes at a time.
If cock rings aren’t for you, other approaches can improve your erections too. Improving your cardiovascular health, losing weight, and prescription medications like Viagra (sildenafil) can provide an immediate boost to your erection strength. Quitting smoking and having your doctor make changes to some of your medications are other ways to potentially improve your erections as well.
Sources
Penile ring entrapment – A true urologic emergency: Grading, approach, and management
(ED) Symptoms & Causes of Erectile Dysfunction | NIDDK
Vacuum device placed around the penis to treat erectile dysfunction
Penile constriction injury: An experience of four cases
Physical Activity to Improve Erectile Function: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies.
Association of Diet With Erectile Dysfunction Among Men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.
[Obesity--significant risk factor for erectile dysfunction in men].
PDE5 Inhibitor - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
