How to Use a Cock Ring (And Why You Should Try One!)

Remember when Beyonce sang “Put a ring on it”? Do you think she could have possibly meant a cock ring? Okay, probably not, but can you imagine?

If you like it—and that "it" is hot sex—then putting on a cock ring on it can lead to mindblowing, amazing pleasure for everyone involved.

These small but effective sex devices, like those available from Satisfyer, could be a game changer for many people’s sex lives. Let’s learn more about cock rings and why you should try one!

What is a Cock Ring?

A cock ring is a tight, circular sex toy that is placed at the base of the penis or beneath the scrotum to restrict blood from flowing back out of the penis while it is erect. This can produce a harder erection, increase sensation and allow the person to maintain their hard-on longer.

Cock rings can also help those who have erectile dysfunction concerns by allowing people to keep their erection. These ingenious devices have been used around the world for centuries to increase ability, stamina and pleasure for both the wearer and their partner.

How Does a Cock Ring Work?

Anatomically speaking, the penis is a pretty easy contraption to understand. To achieve an erection, hormonal reactions cause arteries to flood the two corpora cavernosa chambers in the penis. As the spongy tissues inside fill, they eventually restrict blood from flowing back out through veins.

All that trapped blood causes the penis to harden and grow and be ready to go. And when you’re done whatever sexy fun you’re having, another hormonal release opens the arteries, releasing the blood so you can fit back into your pants comfortably.

Cock rings work on the same principle. Some amount of blood needs to continue flowing in and out of a penis during erection and a cock ring further restricts that flow. This improves the penis’ turgidity, producing a stronger erection. And while it may sound contradictory, using a cock ring can both increase the cock’s sensitivity and delay ejaculation. Restricting blood flow can help the person last longer during masturbation, intercourse, or manual or oral stimulation.

For those who have erectile dysfunction concerns, cock rings can be a natural, non-medicinal way to achieve and maintain an erection for sexual fun. Through excitement, stimulation or a penis pump, blood can be drawn into the penis and then its flow back can be restricted manually restricted with the ring. This may not work for everyone, but is a possibility to be considered.

Different Types of Cock Rings

Cock rings are like snowflakes: they all share the same basic function, but they can all be very different. There are many different types of cock rings including solid, flexible and adjustable models, bare-bones or tech-enabled and full of vibrating fun, and they can be made from virtually anything.

• Solid cock rings are firm and stable and ensure a true restriction of blood flow.
• Flexible cock rings are easier to use and great for beginners.
• Adjustable cock rings allow for different wearing possibilities by varying levels of blood flow restriction.

[Satisfyer's new Signet Ring is an app-controlled, flexible silicone ring that provides vibrators to both the user and their partner!]

Some of the most popular cock ring materials are silicone, rubber, leather, metals (including steel, aluminum, silver, gold and platinum), glass, ceramic and stone. Each type of material plays a role in how you actually use your ring. All of these types of cock rings also come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different bodies. Part of their allure is playing a lot to find out which size and style works best for you!

How to Use a Cock Ring

While the concept of using a cock ring might seem simple enough, there are actually different ways to use these helpful devices and some critical tips to remember.

You can put on a cock ring when the penis is flaccid, semi-erect or a full-on hard-on, depending on the type of ring you choose and your level of experience.

For those who are new to cock rings, it is recommended that you start out with a flexible, stretchy cock ring, such as silicone, or an adjustable ring where you can set it to different girths. Because everybody’s body is different, cock rings come in different sizes, and you might have to experiment a bit to find the fit that is best for you. If it is too loose, you’re not going to restrict blood flow to feel an effect. If it is too tight, you might experience discomfort or, worse, cause damage. Because there are two main spots to place a cock ring, you will potentially find use for different sizes anyway!

But before you put a cock ring anywhere, here’s critical tip #1: don’t forget to lube up. Take it from experience, using a cock ring without lube can be a rather unpleasant experience. Lubricant allows you to slide the cock ring on your preferred location easily, and, this is very important, allows you to remove the ring quickly in the best of situations (after awesome sexy fun) or if you really need to remove it quickly because of discomfort or pain.

Be sure to use the proper type of lube to complement your cock ring. Remember, if you’re playing with a silicone ring, don’t use silicone lube. Because cock rings aren’t a part of the actual repeated friction action, a water-based lube is the best bet.

When you’re ready to slip your cock ring on, you can set it in two distinct spots: at the base of the cock or at the base of the cock and below the scrotum. This really comes down to preference and pleasure. Putting a cock ring around the base of the penis is definitely easier and can be more done regardless of the cock’s state of arousal.

If you want to get it down below the balls too, that can take more patience and care and is much harder to do when the penis is already hard. Experiment with how each experience feels. Around the base gets the job done if your goal is a harder, stronger, longer-lasting erection. Finding the right fit will restrict the blood nicely. Taking the ring down before the testicles adds a bit of extra sensation and a bit more bondage flair (if you’re into that).

Regardless where you place your cock ring, here’s critical tip #2: do not use a cock ring for an extended period of time. Medical professionals recommend that cock rings be used for no more than 30 minutes at a time. Sure, an erection traps blood in a penis, and, naturally, it is not a problem to keep that dick in full salute for longer than 30 minutes. However, because a cock ring further restricts blood flow, tissues can be damaged if it is worn for too long.

If you’re playing solo, listen to your body. If you’re playing with others, everyone should check in to see how the ring feels throughout your sexy session. Stop and take a look at the penis while you play. If it becomes dark red or even blue, or the penis becomes visibly more narrow where the ring is, remove the cock ring immediately.

What to Look for in a Cock Ring

Cock rings offer many different sexy possibilities to both the person wearing it and their partner. We’ve discussed different devices and how they can enhance the erotic effects for the wearer.

While most basic cock rings all serve the practical functions outlined above, more advanced models, such as Satisfyer’s Powerful One, offer vibration to increase pleasure for both partners. Some vibrating cock rings include a simple vibe that stimulates your partner’s clitoris, vulva, perineum or anus (depending on your partner's anatomy and where you place the vibe), while the fancier versions can be app-controlled with multiple vibration speeds and patterns.

Something to keep in mind is that all vibrating cock rings are shaped differently and may or may not work in your personal pairing. Before you shop, consider the space between where you penetrate your partner and where their sensitive bits are. Look for a toy that ensures the vibrator touches their sexy spot while you wear it! Vibrating cock rings can also be added to dildos for strap-on sessions.

Cock rings remain a simple, affordable way to try something new in your sexytimes. They can increase performance and pleasure, offer new sensations and provide erotic potential for those who are having difficulty. And while they may be simple now, new models demonstrate the potential these devices have for greater cock ring usage in the future. Seems like a great time to put a ring on it!