A 28-year-old man in Ho Chi Minh City developed swelling and pain after wearing a rubber ring during sex. Doctors said he had no signs of severe tissue ischemia or necrosis, but warned that prolonged constriction can cause irreversible injury.
On October 4, Dr. Tra Anh Duy of Men's Health Men's Health Center said the patient had avoided severe loss of blood supply and necrosis. The swelling, pain, inflammation and blood congestion in the scrotum were caused by prolonged constriction.
The man said he had worn the rubber ring to increase pleasure and prolong intercourse. He received medication and was told to stop using the device while he recovered.
Constriction rings are used in some devices for treating erectile dysfunction. Under the medical principle behind those devices, the ring is placed around the base of the penis after blood has been drawn into the erectile tissue, helping maintain an erection by limiting blood outflow. The European Association of Urology recommends removing the ring within 30 minutes to reduce the risk of tissue damage.
Rings are also sold as sex toys and come in materials such as rubber, silicone and metal. Some designs fit around both the penis and scrotum. A ring that is too small or rigid, or wearing several rings at once, can create strong pressure. Medical literature has recorded severe injuries, including tissue death, caused by rubber cords or rings. Metal rings are less flexible and can become tighter as swelling develops, making them difficult to remove.
According to Dr. Duy, the injury can progress from swelling and pain to reduced sensation, loss of blood supply, tissue death and irreversible damage. The ring should be removed immediately if pain, numbness, rapidly increasing swelling, purple or discolored skin, unusual coldness, bleeding or difficulty urinating occurs. If swelling has trapped the ring, it should not be removed by force at home; the person should seek medical care.
The doctor advised choosing a sexual-health ring that can be removed quickly and is not too tight. He also said not to sleep while wearing one or prolong its use to maintain an erection or increase pleasure.
Sources: VnExpress
