By Rainey Horwitz, MD, MS
Penile constriction rings are devices designed to be placed around the base of the penis to aid in maintaining an erection by restricting the outflow of blood. There are several reasons people with a penis might be interested in exploring the use of rings during sex. Many wearers appreciate that penile constriction rings/bands can aid in enhancing erectile function by gently compressing the veins that drain blood penis, causing the corpora to retain blood and remain firmer for a prolonged period of time. Difficulty maintaining rigidity can be a source of distress for people with a penis, so penile rings offer a safe option to try before utilizing erectile dysfunction medications. Some rings are specifically designed to be used in conjunction with vacuum erection devices (VEDs) to treat erectile dysfunction by maintaining corporal blood flow with negative pressure. Penile rings and VEDs are examples of conservative approaches to treating erectile dysfunction and can also be useful augmentations in optimizing erectile function prior to and following urologic surgery.