So You Want To Buy A Cock Ring

One of the things that I sell the most to men are cock rings. They are a staple of the sex lives of men, gay or straight, and can be a great way to increase not only your partner’s satisfaction but your own as well. Sadly though, a conversation with someone about cock rings usually ends in them admitting that they have no idea what they are looking for when buying one. Someone the other day told me “Well I think this is my size…it looks about the right size..” I decided that it was time to put together a guide on how to buy a cock ring. How to measure yourself for one, how to buy one, how to put one on, how to use one. That is what lies beyond, my friend. How to Buy a Cock Ring…

Cock rings come in a variety of shapes, sizes, materials and types. With all these options, it can be difficult to know what is right for you. This guide will provide you with a simple overview on how to pick the right cock ring for you!

WTF Are They Even For?
Cock rings serve a variety of purposes. Medically, they can be used in conjunction with a penis pump in order to help combat ED (Erectile Dysfunction) or other nerve issues. As recreation, they can be used as jewelry or for appearance. What we will be discussing though is it’s use as a sex toy.

The constriction of the cock ring around the penis restricts blood from flowing out of the penis, and as a result increases the size and duration of erections. It is also common that an erection will become more sensitive while a cock ring is being worn, and can even help delay ejaculation (though this is not always the case, as some men may feel more aroused from the constriction and end up ejaculating sooner than usual).

Size Matters
One of the most common errors when buying a cock ring is buying the wrong size. It’s not like walking in to a clothes store where you can try them on before you buy them (though I have heard of some stores that allow that…yuck). You need to know your exact size before you go in to purchase one, because a sales associate can only be so helpful as far as assisting you goes…

Measuring Up
Measuring yourself for your cock ring size is easy! First you need to decide how you are going to wear it. Everybody’s body is different so you may like one way more than the other, or all of them equally!

Around the base of the cock and around the balls: This is the most common way a cock ring is worn. This causes less constriction around the shaft of the cock itself and instead distributes the pressure around the entire unit. This method is best for men who find that constriction around their dick isn’t comfortable or even painful.

Around the shaft and the shaft alone!: This method tends to be a lot more intense than the other, placing 100% of the pressure around the shaft of the dick.

Around the base of the cock and balls AND shaft!: Certain types of leather cock rings offer the option of constricting everything at once. These can look a bit ominous, but are actually a really nice sensation for a lot of men!

Depending on where you’ve decided to wear your cock ring, you are going to need to know the diameter of the area it will be worn around. All cock rings are sold by diameter. The diameter is the length of a straight line passing through the center of a circle and connecting two points on the circumference. To find out your diameter, you can do one of two things. If you have tailor’s measuring tape it’s easy, just measure yourself. If you don’t happen to have one of these handy, you can do the following:

– Find a piece of string (or ribbon, shoelace, whatever)
– Wrap the string around the area that you intend to wear the cock ring. Pull it snug, but not tight.
– Unwrap the string and measure the length with a ruler
– Divide this number by 3.14. Example: 7 inches ÷ 3.14 = 2.25 inches diameter
– Repeat the measuring process once when you are hard to see if there is a big difference between the two numbers. You don’t want the ring to be too loose or too tight, depending on when you choose to put it on (flaccid, semi-erect, or fully-erect).

You’ve got your diameter! Time to head to your local sex toy store and pick out your new ring!

Choices, Choices…
So of course now you need to pick which type of ring you want to buy. And boy do you have options!

Snap/Adjustable – Leather cock rings often come in an adjustable snap-style. There are also some that come in a quick-release slider style. These are typically good for people that are beginners and don’t really know their size, but you do know your size now so you can skip this one. If you are the type that would like to wear a cock ring all day though, these are great because you can adjust them to where they aren’t so tight. As an added bonus they make your package look bigger (hi skinny jean wearers).

Jelly/Elastomer stretchy – The jelly/elastomer rings tend to look a bit small but they stretch pretty far! They come in all sorts of cute colors and run on the cheap side. This is because they do tend to break often, but when they are as cheap as $1 a piece it’s not always such a bad idea. Although they do stretch, they can be a bit too tight for some people, so I suggest stretching them out a bit before use (like around a bottle of lube or something else cylindrical in nature).

Vibrating – My favorite! Cock rings that vibrate add a nice little touch to the experience. If you were straight you’d wear the vibrating piece above your cock to help stimulate the clitoris, but you’re most likely gay if you’re reading this so do yourself a favor and flip that baby around so it rests against your balls. The vibration may feel mild at first but as your sensitivity increases the vibration becomes more noticable.

Metal – Some cock rings are made of metal. These obviously have zero give and thus have no way of adjusting their size. It’s important that you not buy these too tight. If you buy them tighter than what you’ve measured, there is most likely no way to remove them once you get hard if they are uncomfortable. They are very stylish though and can feel very nice!

Teardrops – Teardrop cock rings are worn around the base of the cock and around the balls and have an extra little point that is worn so that it rests cradling the perineum (the space between your balls and your ass). These are great for men who are penetrating a partner to wear since the motions of sex make the ring rub against the perineum and generate some really nice sensations for the wearer.

Ok I Bought One! Now What?
Congratulations! You have your first informed-purchase cock ring! Now you need to know some guidelines before you start strapping it up.

Lubrication – I always suggest that people apply lubrication to the entire area that they intend to wear their cock ring. This helps not only with applying the cock ring if they are doing so while hard, but it also helps in taking the ring off after ejaculation (or before ejaculation, if you feel that wearing one while cumming is uncomfortable).

Duration – Something that is overlooked in the cock ring wearing nation is how long you should wear a cock ring. Cock rings create a constriction in an area that is in every way sensitive. This includes the nerves in the area. Wearing a tight cock ring for too long can, over time, cause nerve damage and make you less sensitive. It’s recommended that you not wear a tight cock ring for more than 30 minutes, on the safe side. I’d say that this applies more to those who wear them around the shaft than it does to those that wear them around the base of the cock and around the balls, but again it depends on the pressure so you decide if you are wearing it on the tight side or the “just right” side.

Experiment – Not everyone likes the same things when it comes to food, or movies, or clothes. The same can be said of sex. You may not like a cock ring worn for long. You may only like a cock ring worn for the entire session, be it with someone else or alone. You may only like it around your balls and not around the cock at all! It’s your body, and you know what you like and what you don’t like. Don’t give up experimenting with your ring(s) just because it’s not doing it for you in the “traditional” method.

Keep an open mind, be safe, and have fun!

If you have any questions, please e-mail me at mebrandonb@gmail.com!

If there is any topic that you’d like to see made into a guide, please e-mail your suggestion to mebrandonb@gmail.com!