April 5, 2008 | Sex Life

Lord of the (cock) rings

Cock rings are relatively simple sexual aids, amounting to nothing more than a ring of rubber, silicone, metal, or leather.

They are designed to keep an erect penis harder and bigger for a longer period of time, while delaying and thereby heightening a man's orgasm. It does so by wrapping tightly about the base of the cock and keeping the blood in the shaft of the penis. (Too tight, however, and your cock will turn a gorgeous, but dangerous, shade of blue.)

The first documented use of the cock ring can be traced back to China. Men would use a goats' eyelids to give their cocks a more plump appearance. And if the eyelashes stayed on, it offered extra stimulation for a man's sexual partner.

The reasons for wearing a cock ring are varied.  Some men wear them to help with erection difficulties, while others enjoy the feeling of tightness around --  and extra thickness in -- the shaft. Models hoping to make their package look a little bigger will also slip one on before doing a photo shoot. 

Be careful, though...

Falling asleep with on one, or wearing it for extended periods of time (more than 30 minutes), can lead to permanent nerve damage. And if you suffer from vascular disease you shouldn't even consider using one.

Dr K of the San Francisco City Clinic also warns about mixing Viagra and a cock ring. "Combining drugs such as Viagra or crystal meth with an unremovable cock ring may send you to the emergency room as the blood in your penis could get ... trapped in the penis."

Finding the right size is as easy as this: wrap a string around your erect cock and balls (where they meet your body). Make a mark where the string first overlaps and feels comfortable. The measurement between the two marks will give you your circumference. Divide by three to determine the diameter for a snug fit.

Your best bet, of course, is to opt for an adjustable ring. It makes sizing easier and allows you to play around with the tightness.