Penis Rings: 8 Tips for Using a Penis Ring

A cock ring—also called a c-ring, penis ring, tension ring, or constriction band—is a sex toy that wraps around the base of the penis, or around the testicles and penis simultaneously. The primary uses of a cock ring are to help the wearer to maintain their erection longer and to make sex more pleasurable for both the wearer and their partner. There are a number of different types of cock rings that allow for use before or after arousal, and some that can stimulate both partners simultaneously. Here are a few sexual benefits that a cock ring can offer. 1. __It may help with erectile dysfunction__. If you or your partner struggle with maintaining an erection, a cock ring may help. Once blood flows into the penis to cause an erection, the cock ring applies pressure around the base of the penis to trap the blood inside the erect penis for longer. 2. __It can enhance pleasure__. Since a cock ring helps keep your penis stay engorged and sensitive, wearing one can make sex feel more intense. It may also increase girth, so that your penis feels wider to your partner if you are having penetrative sex. Toys like vibrating cock rings stimulate you when you wear them, as well as your partner's clitoris during vaginal sex and the anal region during [anal sex](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/anal-sex-toys-guide). 3. __It can relieve performance anxiety__. If you struggle with performance anxiety or the pressure of maintaining an erection, using a cock ring can help relax your nerves and boost your confidence. That way, you can focus your mental energy on enjoying your sexual experience instead of monitoring the status of your erection. Cock rings come in a variety of sizes, materials, and features designed to enhance your pleasure. Here's a rundown of the basic options to help you decide which type of cock ring is best for you. 1. __Adjustable cock rings__: An adjustable ring that is worn around your penis and over (or under) your scrotum. You can alter the tightness of the ring to fit your penis size and desired level of comfort. 2. __Silicone cock rings__: These stretchy cock rings come in a fixed size that wraps around the base of your penis, and can stretch to fit penises of different girths. They're easy to put on and take off, but depending on your penis size they might not fit as tightly as you desire. 3. __Vibrating cock rings__: Vibrating cock rings have a battery-powered external stimulator that vibrates, potentially causing a more intense orgasm for both you and your partner. Some vibrating cock rings have a bullet [vibrator](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-a-vibrator) extension, geared towards clitoral stimulation or stimulation of your own perineum. Vibrating cock rings wrap around the base of the shaft, but do not go below the testicles. 4. __Solid cock rings__: These are fixed-size rings that do not stretch at all. Worn around the base of the shaft and under the scrotum, solid cock rings are not recommended for inexperienced users since choosing a ring that's too small will not be pleasurable and can cause pain. You can use a cock ring on your penis during vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, or masturbation. If it's your first time using a cock ring, here are some helpful tips to make sure that your experience is the best it can be. 1. __Choose the right type, size, and fit__. You'll want to go with either a fully adjustable or stretchy silicone ring to ensure a comfortable fit especially if it’s your first time. When adjusting the fit, try to make the ring feel snug, but not so tight that you begin to go numb. If you or your partner are interested in extra stimulation, try a vibrating cock ring. 2. __Trim your pubic hair__. Before you use a cock ring for the first time, shave or trim your pubic hair. This will prevent your cock ring from potentially tugging at your hair in the midst of sex. 3. __Use lubrication__. Apply lube to both the cock ring and your penis. This will help the ring slide onto your shaft easily, and will also prevent uncomfortable friction if the ring shifts during sex. 4. __Put on the ring when you're semi-erect__. Your penis should be semi-erect before putting on the cock ring. If you put the cock ring on a flaccid penis, you probably won't get the maximum amount of blood flow into your penis. If you try to put the cock ring on when you're fully erect, you may find that your penis is too difficult to bend to get the ring on properly. 5. __Put the cock ring on before the condom__. You should always practice safe sex by wearing a condom, but you want to be mindful not to rip it when you’re wearing a cock ring at the same time Put your cock ring on first to avoid the risk of ripping the condom. Once your cock ring is secure and your penis becomes fully erect, then you should roll your condom on. 6. __Only wear the cock ring for 30 minutes or less__. If you wear a cock ring for too long, it can cause permanent penile damage, so limit your cock ring usage to about 30 minutes at a time. If you start to feel your penis going numb or see its skin changing color after wearing the ring for any amount of time, immediately remove it. When engaging in back-to-back sex sessions using your cock ring, make sure to wait at least an hour between sessions. 7. __Wash your cock ring after each use__. To prevent bacteria from forming and to extend its life, always thoroughly clean your cock ring when you're finished using it. 8. __Be mindful of your health__. If you have a number of pre-existing conditions—like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or blood and nerve diseases—don’t use a cock ring, because it may interrupt your normal blood flow. People who take blood thinners or have an existing penile injury or groin soreness should also refrain from using a cock ring. Craving a little more intimacy? Grab a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and learn more about open <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communication","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>communication with your partners, experimenting in the bedroom, and being your own best sexual advocate with a little help from Emily Morse (host of the wildly popular podcast *Sex With Emily*). If you're interested in having greater control over your erections and increasing pleasure for both you and your partner, a penis ring (or cock ring) might be the key to better sex.