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What Size Penis Tension Band Should I Get?

Selecting the right-sized tension band or penis ring size is often difficult to determine. For many men afflicted with erectile dysfunction, finding the right penis ring is a matter of trial and error. There are three factors to consider when selecting a penis ring. These factors are the size of the tension band, the amount of tension the band provides, and the amount of displacement.


Penis Ring Size

Size refers to the diameter of the penis ring that fits over the penis. Most manufacturers provide measurements for the inside diameter of their penis rings. It is very difficult to measure the diameter of your penis. However, it is easy to measure the circumference of your penis and then calculate the diameter. The circumference, you can use an online conversion tool to convert the circumference measurement of your penis to the diameter measurement. This conversion tool is provided below. To help determine the best penis ring size to meet your needs follow the steps outlined below.


Penis Ring Tension Band Sizing Calculator

Measure the circumference of your penis at the base of the penis next to your body with a cloth measuring tape. This measurement should not be taken on an erect penis. Enter the circumference measurement into the "Circumference" box below. Click on the grey button "Solve for Diameter". The diameter of your penis will be calculated and displayed in the blank box next to "Diameter" below.

Example: If your penis circumference is 2 inches (2 inches), enter the amount "2" in the box adjacent to "Circumference". Next, click on the grey button "Solve for Diameter". The diameter displayed in the solution window is 0.64. Recommend starting with a penis ring that has a diameter that is close to 0.64 inches.

 


Circumference:
Diameter:


With the diameter measurement, most men can now select a penis ring from one of the ring manufacturers like Encore, Post-T-Vac or Timm Osbon. The inside diameter for each of these three manufacturer's rings are provided on each of their product pages. Clink on one of the links above to get started. This procedure has helped many to find the best size that meets their individual needs.

However, if you have used penis rings before and found them ineffective or uncomfortable, continue reading below.


Penis Ring Tension

For most men, the process outlined above is sufficient to determine the right size tension band. However, there are many men with erectile dysfunction that may need a penis ring with higher tension than someone with only mild erectile dysfunction.

Timm Osbon accounts for this factor with three different tension options: Low, Standard and High. If you have a mild case of erectile dysfunction, a low tension band should be sufficient. If you find that the low is not working well, try the standard tension band. If you know that your erectile dysfunction is severe, try the high tension band first. With Encore or Post-T-Vac Tension Bands, you would order a smaller penis rings to get more tension.


Penis Ring Displacement

The third consideration for penis ring selection is the amount of displacement. Penis Ring displacement plays an important role in the effectiveness and the level of comfort the penis ring provides the user. The displacement of the tension band is related to the thickness of the band. The thicker the band, the more tissue that is displaced on the penis. Thicker rings tend to reduce seepage of blood from the penis back into the body. An erected penis is caused when the penis becomes engorged with blood. The penis loses its erection when the blood seeps back into the body. Displacing more tissue helps to reduce this seepage.

The amount of displacement affects the level of comfort, effectiveness, and the manufacturing costs of the ring. Therefore, the more displacement, the more comfortable and effective the ring is likely to be and the higher the cost of the tension ring. Rings with high displacement include the Postvac Mach 1, the Timm Osbon EZ Rings, or the Timm Osbon Comfort Tension Bands. If a penis ring is found to be uncomfortable but still effective, you may want to try another ring that has more displacement.

Trail and error is the best way to find the penis ring that is right for you. Some men will need to experiment with several different sizes, tension levels and amount of displacement to find the right tension band that fits their personal needs.


Penis Ring Construction

Manufacturers use different materials in constructing tensions bands so one size from a specific manufacturer may not translate into the same size or tension of another manufacturer. A tension band from one manufacturer might be more flexible than tension bands from other manufacturers.

Additionally, there are no standard sizes between manufacturers, so a "large" tension band from one manufacturer will likely be different from a "large" from another manufacturer. If you are changing the manufacturer or brand of your tension band, some trial and error may be required. If you are still not sure where to start, you may want to purchase a medium-sized tension band, allowing you to determine if the medium size is too large or too small and then selecting a larger or smaller size. The following diameters of tension band holes provide a rough guideline:

  • Large: Between 3/4 - 7/8 inches (19.05 - 22.23 mm)
  • Medium: Between 1/2 - 3/4 inches (12.70 - 19.05 mm)
  • Small: Between 3/8 - 1/2 inches (9.525 - 12.70 mm)

Single Use Penis Rings

Although most tension bands are reusable, some of the manufacturers are now making single-use tension bands. A single-use tension band offers the convenience of use and dispose rather than having to clean, dry, store and reuse. Timm Osbon is a pioneer of the single-use penis rings with Comfort Disposable Tension Bands. Be sure to check the product description to find out more details.


Penis Ring Design

Pay attention to the design of the different tension bands. If you have good finger dexterity, then you might want a small tension band. However, if you have difficulty manipulating small objects, then a larger tension band might be appropriate. Some larger rings are the EZ Ring Tension Bands.

The anatomically designed tension band from Timm Osbon is another consideration. Called ErecAid Tension Bands, these penis rings are not the standard circular design many manufacturers use in their designs. Timm Osbon pioneered tension bands that fit the shape of the penis.

Penis Ring Kits

Encore sells an Encore tension band kit penis pump tension band kito that includes a loading ring and lubricant. This package comes with four different sized penis tension bands to help determine the best fit. Pos-T-Vac provides a similar ED pump ring kit.

Instead of purchasing individual tension bands by trial and error, you may want to purchase an entire ED Ring Kit that comes with several different sizes to help you determine the size that best fits and is most comfortable. The Encore Impo Aid Ring kit (OTC), which comes with four different sizes to experiment with. The Tension Band Kit is a much better value than purchasing individual tension bands of different sizes.

  Helpful Articles

WebMD - Erectile Dysfunction: Prostate Cancer
eMedicine - Prostate Cancer: Radical Perineal Prostatectomy
Mayo Clinic - Erectile Dysfunction overview
Urology Group Virginia - Another Erectile Dysfunction overview
eMedicineHealth - Impotence/Erectile Dysfunction Introduction