Cock Rings: What They Are, How to Use & More
The cock ring. Also known as a penis ring or constriction ring, it’s a type of ring that’s worn around the base of your penis during sex. Proponents of cock rings say they create a harder erection or make your penis larger.
While there isn’t much scientific research on the benefits of cock rings, many people swear by them for improving sexual performance and pleasure.
We know you’ve heard about cock rings, the same way that we know you’ve heard about the dangers of cock rings (Google at your own risk). So, what’s real and what’s urban legend?
Like hobbits on a quest, we made the pilgrimage to find the answers about this “one ring to rule them all.” Below, we’ve covered:
What cock rings are
How cock rings (aka penis rings) work
The benefits they may offer
Cock ring safety and hygiene
Finally, we’ve shared several alternatives to cock rings that you may want to consider if you use a cock ring or constriction bands for harder erections or to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
What Is a Cock Ring?
A cock ring is a ring-shaped device worn around the base of your penis before and during sex. Cock rings have several different names, including penile constriction bands and tension rings. But at the end of the day, these devices are just simple sex toys for men.
Cock rings can be simple or come with many bells and whistles (no, not literally — we don’t think). Soft silicone (ideal for beginners) designed to fit around the base of your penis may be stretchy, while firmer silicone or metal rings will have less “give” (and potentially be magnetic — do with that information what you will).
Most cock rings are designed to be used on their own, while others are part of a “system” — intended for use with a vacuum erection device (referred to as a penis pump) or similar enhancement. There’s truly a diverse treasure trove of rings for your cock to bring a little donut-shaped enhancement to your sex life.
A cock ring wearer with his head (and shaft) in the game might choose one of the following:
Silicone penis rings are often considered the baseline model, and while they may lack bells and whistles, they’re user-friendly options that are easy to put on and take off.
Vibrating penis rings take the functionality of a normal penis ring and add some buzz. A vibrating ring may have a built-in motor or incorporate a bullet vibrator for your partner’s pleasure.
Adjustable penis rings feature bands or other mechanisms that allow them to be adjusted to better fit your penis for comfort.
Penis ring systems don’t just stop at a circle — some spice things up a bit with premium add-ons like a butt plug, dildo or harness attachments.
The point here is that — just like actual penises — cock rings come in all shapes and sizes. And like your penis, they work when you use them correctly.
How Do Cock Rings Work?
The one ring to rule them all was created to destroy the world of men, but the cock ring’s purpose is comparably modest: bring about intense orgasms for you and your partner in a discreet, generally affordable, and easy-to-use package.
Healthy erections are all about good blood flow. When you’re sexually aroused, blood flows into the erectile tissue inside your penis, causing it to expand and become firmer. This gives you an erection and allows you to penetrate your sexual partner.
Thanks to their snug fit at the base of the penis, cock rings are designed to ensure that the blood that flows into your penis stays there.
Many men use cock rings when it becomes hard to get or maintain an erection during sex. Some people even claim that cock rings prolong sexual activity, giving you more powerful orgasms and — if worn at the right angle — providing direct clitoral stimulation for a female partner.
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Possible Benefits of Cock Rings
Like many other sex toys out there, many of the purported benefits of cock rings are based on "hands-on" anecdotal experiences instead of rigorous scientific analysis. However, we'd wager a guess that if you're reading this, you don't exactly consider cock rings to be rocket science anyway.
Let's get into a bit more detail on the possible benefits of cock rings. That said, possible benefits of cock rings include:
Reduced risk of erectile dysfunction. Men who use cock rings often claim they notice stronger erections and have less difficulty remaining hard during sexual activity. Although there’s little research on cock rings specifically, constriction rings are sometimes used with vacuum erectile devices as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Improved sexual sensation. Many people claim that cock rings increase sexual pleasure. Some cock rings feature vibration, nubs, ribs and other features designed to provide enhanced pleasure for one or both partners.
Increased confidence. If they can make you harder and make sex feel better, it's no surprise that many men report a confidence boost that may help to reduce sexual performance anxiety and make you feel like a rock-hard rockstar.
Although “improved sexual stamina” is a commonly touted cock ring benefit, there’s little to no proof to back that up. The same is true of their alleged prevention of premature ejaculation.
In fact, one small study of 42 men published in the journal BJU International in 2007 found that constriction rings did not have any noticeable effect on median intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) in men with mild premature ejaculation.
So, we can't put that one in the cock ring "possible plus" column. And we still need to talk about the other column — the minus column.
Risks of Using a Cock Ring
The only real potentially serious downside of cock rings (that we could find, at least), centers around the idea that if your cock ring is too tight, you risk some serious damage, fellas.
According to the International Society for Sexual Medicine, because cock rings restrict blood flow, they can permanently damage your penis if worn too tightly for too long. Using a cock ring for an excessive amount of time can lead to necrosis — a form of premature cell death that’s caused by restricted blood flow.
Despite being a phenomenal name for a garage metal band, necrosis may lead to the development of gangrene — a form of body tissue death that, in serious cases, can require amputation of the penis.
Yikes.
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How to Use a Cock Ring Safely
Because of these risks, it’s important to be careful when using a cock ring. Experts agree that the following list of safety rules will prevent you from injuring or even *gulp* losing your penis.
Choose a cock ring that’s properly fitted for your penis.
Make sure that the cock ring you choose is easy to remove.
Avoid extended use — your penis has to rest.
Use lube when putting on or removing your cock ring.
When not in use, your cock ring should be cleaned and properly stored.
We’ve gone into more detail about all of the steps involved in using a cock ring safely below.
Choose a Cock Ring That Fits You
Cock rings are available in a range of sizes. It’s important to choose a cock ring that properly fits your penis. A cock ring that’s overly tight may cause your penis to feel numb during sex, while a loose cock ring may not be fully effective.
When you’re comparing cock rings, check the diameter and choose a ring that’s a good fit for your penis. Beginners might want a c-ring that fits around the base of the penis, but you might also consider something that fits below your scrotum, applies vibration to your perineum or has a remote-controlled disco light attachment for when you want to turn your Tuesday lovemaking sesh into a warehouse party.
Make Sure You Can Get It on and off in a Hurry
Putting on a cock ring is a simple process, but it’s important to complete it correctly to prevent discomfort during sex.
To use a cock ring safely and effectively, you’ll want to follow these steps:
Apply a small amount of lubricant to the inside of the ring.
Place the ring on your semi-erect or flaccid penis, carefully sliding it to the base.
Make sure that the cock ring fits comfortably before penetrating your partner.
The cock ring should not apply any unnecessary pressure to the shaft of your penis.
If you feel any discomfort, check that the cock ring is still in the correct position.
Limit Use to 30 Minutes at a Time
Cock rings can be dangerous when used for too long. If you use a cock ring, make sure that you use it for a maximum of 30 minutes at a time. Take your cock ring off as soon as you can after finishing sex to make sure you don’t fall asleep while it’s still on your penis.
Because they work by reducing blood flow out of your penis, if a cock ring is left on your penis for too long, it may potentially damage the tissue and cause injury to your penis.
Although uncommon, there is at least one documented report of a person leaving their cock ring on for too long and needing medical assistance to remove it.
If you experience any discomfort, tightness, or physical pain during sex, or notice that your penis swells after wearing a cock ring for several minutes, take your cock ring off right away.
If you can’t remove your cock ring due to excessive tightness, it’s important to seek emergency medical assistance.
Start With a Silicone Cock Ring
As you now know, cock rings come in several materials, including metal, silicone and, in the world of Tolkien, probably mithril or dragon scales or some sh*t.
Here’s some serious advice: if you're a first-timer, go with silicone. These silicone rings tend to be easier to fit onto your penis, easier to remove and less likely to become stuck during or after sex.
Silicone cock rings can also be cut in emergencies.
We know we shouldn't have to say it, but: if you're allergic to silicone, don't buy a cock ring made from it. Just trust us.
Use Lubrication
It’s important to use lubrication when you wear a cock ring, especially when you’re wearing the ring the first few times. Lubrication makes fitting a cock ring easier, reduces risk of friction burn and also gives you the ability to slide it off during sex if it becomes uncomfortable or overly tight.
To lubricate your cock ring, apply a small amount of lube, like our Glide Water-Based Lube, to the inside surface of the ring before putting it on your penis (the same way that your car's service manual tells you to apply a thin coating of motor oil to the filter before you screw it down, but with cock rings and without 10W-30).
Speaking of oil, make sure to use a water-based lubricant, as oil-based lubes may damage condoms and increase their risk of breaking.
Wash Your Cock Ring After Use
Like with other sex toys, it’s important to wash your cock ring thoroughly after use to prevent the spread of bacteria and STIs.
If your cock ring is made from silicone, you can clean it by placing it in boiling water for five to 10 minutes or by cleaning it with antibacterial soap and warm water. Hilariously enough, most silicone cock rings are dishwasher-friendly if that’s a route you’d like to explore.
If your cock ring is made from stainless steel, you can do all of the above or use a 10-to-1 water/bleach solution to soak it for 10 minutes.
And, of course, if at any time you notice that your cock ring is damaged, torn or looking less-than-pristine, consider throwing it in Mount Doom (or the recycling bin) and buying a new one.
For cock rings and sex toys made from other materials, check the instructions provided by the manufacturer for safe cleaning advice.
Consult Your Healthcare Provider
Even though they're “just” sex toys, it's important to remember that cock rings can do some real damage if misused.
That's why it's still important to talk to your healthcare provider before using a cock ring as a treatment for erectile dysfunction or as a way to boost your sexual pleasure.
It’s especially important to talk to your healthcare provider if you have an underlying condition that affects blood flow throughout your body, such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes or an injury to the nerves around your penis.
We get it — this can be a very personal and private topic for a lot of guys. But… your healthcare provider has heard it all. Plus, if we can muster up the courage to make nine Lord of The Rings jokes about cock rings, you can make the call to your healthcare provider.
Alternatives to Cock Rings
If you use a cock ring to treat erectile dysfunction or to maintain a harder erection during sex, you should know there are alternatives to check out, too.
There are several FDA-approved medications on the market to help treat erectile dysfunction.
The best part is you can use them all without the inconvenience or safety risks that come with using a cock ring (although they do come with a few of their own).
These medications work by increasing blood flow throughout your body, making it easier to get and maintain an erection when you’re sexually aroused. Most begin working in under one hour, making them ideal for use as needed before sex.
ED medications include:
Sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra®)
Tadalafil (Cialis®)
Avanafil (Stendra®)
Vardenafil (Levitra®)
These medications aren’t just for older men, nor is ED a problem that only occurs in your 40s, 50s and beyond.
Our guide to the most common ED treatments and drugs goes into more detail about how these medications work, their potential benefits, side effects and more.
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Should You Use a Cock Ring?
So, cock rings: yes or no? Based on the information from scientific studies, the answer is an enthusiastic maybe with a few caveats:
Using a cock ring may help you to stay hard and perform better during sex if you’re prone to erectile dysfunction. You may also experience improved sexual pleasure.
Cock rings might be helpful, but they’re far from the best option for treating erectile dysfunction.
Medications like sildenafil (generic Viagra) and others also provide FDA-approved relief from ED.
You might consider using medication alongside a penis ring for their combined benefits to all of your intimate goals for the evening.
Want to go the FDA-approved route for ED instead of a cock ring? We offer a selection of erectile dysfunction medications online, following a consultation with a licensed healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate.
You can also learn more about the causes of ED, common symptoms and treatment options in our full guide to erectile dysfunction.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.
