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Question
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I have recently thought about buying those rings you place around the penis. They
are supposed to enhance the hardness of your erection and your staying power. Are
they dangerous? Can they harm you with the restriction of blood flow after you
have an erection?
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Answer
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What you are referring to are usually known as cock rings. These bands,
when placed at the base of the erect penis, help prevent blood from draining away from the
penis, thus promoting firmer erections. Although they do not help men get an
erection, they can allow him to keep one if he has difficulty maintaining one.
Some men also find that the feeling of extra "fullness" causes more
sensitivity and enhances their pleasure. They are not, however, generally
helpful in delaying ejaculation and, once a man has an orgasm, he will still
have a refractory period and lose his erection.
Erection rings are not generally considered
dangerous or harmful as long as they are
used correctly and safely. Most importantly, they should not be kept in place
for more than half an hour. When a man is erect, there are tubes (known as
corpus cavernosa) that are engorged with blood. But, this blood does not carry
oxygen to the tissues of the penis. Having an unwavering erection can actually
cut off blood supply to the penis. If left on for too long, you can even burst
blood vessels, causing bruising, swelling, and sometimes even vascular damage.
For these reasons, I often recommend that if you wish to experiment, use a ring
made of fabric or rubber -- something that can be cut in an emergency -- and not
metal. And, for God's sake, don't make it so tight that you are ready to burst!
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Best,
Dr. Sandor Gardos
MyPleasure provides up-to-date and useful sexual education materials in combination
with a store that allows people to buy, try, and learn about new aspects of
sexuality. We believe everybody deserves a great sex life.
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