The Common Room

Questions asked by students at Brittany’s Sextravaganza in March 2008

What sex toys are there for guys?

Even though it may seem that there are more sex toys geared towards women, there are also lots of toys for guys, including the following list:

Cock Rings

Cock rings and cock and ball toys fit around the base of just the penis or the penis and scrotum, and restrict blood from flowing out of an erection. This creates pressure that many men find pleasurable. They can also help men maintain an erection for longer periods of time, may increase the power or force of ejaculation, and many men and women find the look appealing. However, these toys should be used with caution as they do restrict blood flow and if blood is restricted for too long it can cause bruising or blood vessels to burst (but no long-term damage should result). These toys are made of leather, rubber, or metal.

How to use a cock ring?

• It can be put on a non-erect or erect penis but is easier to put on a non-erect penis.
• They come in various sizes, find a comfortable one.
• Some may have vibrator slots, which are good for partner interaction.
• The best cock rings are made of leather that have snaps or Velcro, thus making them easy to remove if any problems arise. You should not wear any ring for more than 20 minutes at one time. When a cock ring becomes uncomfortable or the penis turns purple because of prolonged use, then the ring should be removed. Rubber and metal rings would have to be put on a non-erect penis and if they had to unexpectedly be removed they would have to be cut off (most likely in an Emergency Room!). Metal cock rings are recommended only for experienced users aware of their bodily limitations.

Try the Orbit Ring Vibe ($41.60); Contact High ($38); Elastomer Stretch Cock Ring ($8); Velcro Leather Cock Ring ($12).

Penis Sleeves

Penis sleeves can enhance masturbation by stimulating the penis. Inside the sleeves are soft nubs to stimulate the head and underside. Sleeves made of stretchy silicone create a snugness and suctioning effect. The silicone will also pick up temperature, thus by running it under hot or cold water can vary sensation even more.

Try the Fleshlight ($80); Maverick ($20); or Blossom Sleeve ($24).

Penis Stimulators

A stimulator, or vibrator, is used over the head of the penis. It can be adjusted for different degrees of vibration and create varying sensations.

Try the Hugger Vibe ($20) or Cybersleeve ($36)

Anal & Prostate Toys

Whether you are gay, straight, or anything in between many guys do enjoy having their anus stimulated, particularly the prostate gland, a highly erogenous spot for many males that is located in the rectum behind the pubic bone and just below the bladder. You can locate it by inserting a finger about 3 inches inside the rectum and stroking toward the front of the body through the rectal wall. Such stimulation can increase orgasmic sensations. Butt plugs or dildos with flared bases can also be used for anal stimulation. Anal beads can increase pleasure and intensify orgasms as well as some people like the feeling of the anus opening and closing around each bead (file down sharp seams with a nail file before using plastic beads).

Try Pandora ($40); XTC Pleasure Curve ($25); Aneros Prostate Stimulator (price varies).

All abovementioned toys can be purchased at Toys in Babeland, either online, by phone [(800) 658-9119], or in-person at two NYC locations:

Lower East Side 94 Rivington Street New York, NY 10002 (212) 375-1701

OR

SoHo 43 Mercer Street (Between Broome & Grand Streets) New York, NY 10013 (212) 966-2120

I have had an erection lasting more than 4 hours but I never took any ED (Erectile Dysfunction) drugs … what gives?

If you are engaging in sexual activity during those four hours then such an erection seems okay, however if the erections are occurring when you are not sexually active, or after you ejaculate, the causes vary. Stress could be one such cause. If it is causing you pain or discomfort you should talk to a medical practitioner.

Priapism is a persistent and usually painful erection of the penis. It is a rare condition of prolonged erections in the absence of sexual arousal. It’s associated with certain blood diseases, hypertension, and recreational drug use. If left untreated, priapism can be hazardous to your health.

There are two types of priapism, non-ischemic and ischemic. Non-ischemic priapism could be caused by penal or perineum injury, in which an artery connected to the spongy tissues in the penis ruptures causing blood to spill into erectile tissues, with more blood flowing into than out of an erection. This can lead to a semirigid penis for hours, but since blood circulation continues, non-ischemic priapisms do not usually hurt and do not cause long-term damage (an ice pack will help alleviate it).

An ischemic priapism involves only blood flowing into the penis but no outflow, this lack of circulation denies the spongy tissue along the length of penis of oxygen and can cause a painful, rigid erection. If left untreated, the lack of oxygen can cause damage and loss of penal function.

ASK VERA appears every Monday in The Common Room. Put your questions in the ASK VERA box, located at the left end of the mailboxes in the U-Hall lobby.

VERA HENDRIX, a senior in CAS, is U-Hall’s Sexual Health Advocate. She’s available to answer any questions related to sexual health that you may have and has free samples of condoms and lube.

Vera has new Q & A hours this term: Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in room 808A. Or, you can e-mail her at vh360@nyu.edu to schedule an appointment.