For a lot of men, the first question that comes to mind when someone mentions cock rings likely is “What the heck does a cock ring do, anyway?” And once they learn the answer, the next question is “Do they work?”

Both questions have simple answers. First, cock rings are designed to make having sex more pleasurable, as well as to help with certain sexual dysfunctions and insecurities. And the answer to the second question is a resounding yes.

There are several different types of cock rings, all serving similar purposes but which deliver results in different ways. What they have in common is that they fit snugly around the base of an erect penis, creating a firmer and stiffer erection. Cock rings are designed to ‘trap’ blood inside penile tissue, which enhances size and strength of the erection. This does more than boost a man’s ego; it also yields more sexual pleasure.

Using cock rings can also allow men to last longer, assist with performance anxiety and make your penis more sensitive during sex. And in the case of vibrating cock rings, they can stimulate your partner, too.

Several different types of materials are used to make cock rings, the most common of which is silicone. Silicone is very soft and stretchy, which makes it a comfortable material for cock rings and assures a single ring size can accommodate penises of widely varying girth.

A material known as Thermoplastic Elastomer or Thermoplastic Rubber (TPE/TPR) is another material commonly used to make cock rings. TPE/TPR is probably the most affordable material from which cock rings are made, so you commonly see disposable rings made of TPE/TPR.

Metal cock rings are fairly common, too – although beginners should shy away from using metal rings, due to the rigidity of metal. When you’re first getting used to metal rings, it can be easy to get stuck in them, although it’s generally easy to get out too, once your erection subsides. There are advantages to metal cock rings too, including the ease of washing and disinfecting them – and their capacity to introduce ‘temperature play’ as a sexual pleasure enhancement technique.

Cock rings are also available in wood, ceramics, glass and neoprene, but these types are not as common as silicone, TPE/TPR or metal.

Cock rings come in quite a variety of types, including adjustable, rigid (this is where the metal type comes in), stretchy (generally made of silicone or TPE/TPR), vibrating, cock and ball rings and double cock rings. At the end of the day though, the biggest difference between is whether they vibrate or not.

As the term suggests, a vibrating cock ring simply is any cock ring which has a vibrating function. Vibrating rings come in a variety of styles and materials, just like ‘static’ rings, with some offering multiple vibrating speeds and others just one speed. Vibrating cock rings are popular among couples, since the vibration can be pleasurable for both partners.

With so many choices on the market, it can be hard to decide which cock ring is right for you. Thankfully, there are helpful resources available, like this guide to cock rings. The guide offers many additional details and will help you sort out all your options, compare different styles and decide which kind of ring is best suited for your preferences.