The Ring of Pleasure and Trouble

“Every experiment, by multitudes or by individuals, that has a sensual and selfish aim, will fail.” A quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, the famous American poet and lecturer.

Emerson was seen as a champion of individualism, who wrote about many subjects developing certain ideas of experimenting with individuality and freedom, realizing the relationship between the soul and the surrounding world.

Indeed, the true method of knowledge is experiment. The only path of self-discovery is a series of self-experiments to unearth our likes and dislikes.

This will involve many success and failures in our attempts, before shaping our characteristics and individualities.

In reality, how far are we willing to take risk in self-experiment when it comes to sex and sexuality? For some, the journey of sexual self-discovery has no boundaries. For others, one is crossing the line, when the self-experiment ends in self-harm or venturing beyond the individual parameters.

Perhaps Emerson was ahead of his time, when the self-experiment has a sensual or selfish aim, it will end in tears.

On that note, lets deal with a reader’s curiosity with regards to the “ring of trouble” that was hitting the headlines of the press, with the sufferer needing the assistance of the Fire Brigade for the relief.

Dear Dr. G,

I read with amusement what happened to the man who turned up to Kuala Lumpur Hospital with a metal ring stuck in his scrotum, who needed the Fire and Rescue Department to use a metal cutter to remove the ring.

Is it true the Bomba was using the industrial tools to remove the metal ring?

I have heard of penile ring, but never come across scrotal ring. My question is: what was the ring doing in the scrotum?

What sort of sexual pleasure can one derive from trapping the scrotum with a metal ring?

What are the complications with the ring was not removed?

Thanks for sharing your professional experience.

Regards

Joe

The Penile Ring can be a variations of rings placed around the base of the penis to slow the flow of blood draining from an erect penis. This has the primary purpose of sustaining the rigidity of an erection for a longer interval.

The ring can be worn around the penis and scrotum, or just the scrotum. Though when the ring is utilized around the neck of the scrotum, it is termed testicular cuff, which really has no role in the enhancement of erection.

The Ring is usually made of a variety of materials, including rubber, silicone plastics and leather. Metallic rings are rarely used, as this is often very uncomfortable and obviously can be difficult to remove.

Before the introduction of the blue pills in the late 1990’s, the use of penile ring together with the purpose-designed vacuum pump is common for patients with erectile dysfunction.

Such devices were invented in 1960’s and even featured in the 1997 Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery as the “Swedish-made penis enlarger” device. (Remember him? Ya, baby!)

Although the use of vacuum constriction devices is less common these days, scientific studies still suggest about 50% efficacy in their utilisations for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Such therapeutic modality is normally reserved for men with failure of oral treatments, severe diabetes and patients with prostate cancer after radical interventions.

The penile rings can also be used in recreational manners to prolong erection in order to provide pleasure beyond ejaculation and orgasm.

The wearers who experiment with the devices often reported liking the sensation of tightness and engorgement the ring provides. The ring is also exploited as accessory to the external genitalia or sex toy; especially some may even have a device with a vibrating component.

The uses of the ring in medical or recreational purposes can be associated with some complications. Bruising of the penis and decrease in the force of ejaculation due to the constriction bands are the usual complaints.

Needless to say, the device may not be suitable for some men with cardiovascular conditions or on blood thinning medications.

The application of the device beyond 30 minutes, especially fallen asleep or with illicit drugs can be dangerous.

The numbness or paleness of the penis is an indication or imminent threat, and warrant and immediate release of the ring.

Persistence of the constriction despite the warning signs can lead to priapism, which is a medical emergency that will lead to permanent damage of the penis, including the destruction of normal tissue and gangrene.

Some may even lead to the amputation of the penis! OUCH!

One of the founding fathers of the United States, Thomas Paine, who inspired the rebels to declare independence from Britain once said: “The real man smiles in trouble, gather strength from distress and grow brave on reflection.”

I guess for the Hospital Kuala Lumpur brave man with the trapped ring, he can now smile on reflection as the Bomba has freed him from the distress.

For those who are contemplating experimenting with the ring, remember what Manny Pacquiao said: “In boxing, you never know whom you are going to face in the ring”.

Dr. G’s advice is “In sex, you always know what trouble you are going to face with the ring, hence stay well clear from this ring of trouble”