Penis Sleeves: What They Are, How They Work & More

Whether you know it as a cock sleeve or a penis sleeve, this penile support device is designed to make penetrative sex more enjoyable for men with erectile dysfunction (ED) and their partners. But what exactly is a cock sleeve? And does it really work?

For many men with ED, penis sleeves are game-changers. These devices may not fully replace typical treatments like ED medications, but they can help spice things up in the bedroom.

Whether or not you have ED, you might have questions about this type of device. We’ve compiled the answers you want about how penis sleeves work, what to look for when buying one, and the key benefits that they offer. 

And if you’re one of the tens of millions of US men affected by erectile dysfunction, we’ll tell you what other treatments are available besides penis sleeves.

A cock sleeve, or penis sleeve, is a type of hollow penile support device worn over the penis during sex. They help provide pleasure to both partners while enhancing the wearer’s firmness, length, and girth.

Penis sleeves are available in a large variety of sizes and designs and are typically made from silicone blends or rubber. Some feature ribs, nubs, and other textural features to enhance sensation for you or your partner. Others offer features like vibration, prostate massagers or G-spot stimulators, or an attached butt plug.

Most penis sleeves have a stretchy ring or loop that fits around your scrotum to hold the sleeve in place, while some have a stretchy hole for your testicles or a belt that’s worn over your waist to prevent the sleeve from moving.

There are a lot of “non-clinical” names for these devices. We’ve already mentioned cock sleeves, but penis sleeves are also commonly called penis stretchers, cock extenders, penis extenders, penis sheaths, or dick sleeves. While some people may use these terms interchangeably, these differing terms may indicate that the sleeve provides different “enhancement.”

Penis Enhancers and Girth Sleeves

Penis enhancers, also known as girth sleeves due to their design and size, usually include built-in penis extensions that add extra length and girth for a more intense sexual experience. 

Penis Sheaths

Penis sheaths, on the other hand, are a type of penis sleeve that covers the entire penis, including the glans (the tip of your penis). These penis enlargement products are typically marketed for their ability to enhance your penis’s length and/or girth. 

Penis sleeves are a relatively inexpensive way to level up in the bedroom, and they’re also simple to use. But they’re not perfect. It’s worth weighing the pros and cons before buying one.

Pros of penis sleeves include:

• They can increase the length and girth of your penis. This may provide extra pleasure for your partner and some extra confidence in the bedroom for you.

• Some penis sleeves are designed to enhance the pleasure of sex. This can make your sex life more enjoyable for everyone involved.

• Using a penis sleeve during sex can help with certain forms of sexual dysfunction. This penile support device may improve erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation (PE).

• A penis sleeve that covers the entire penis may also reduce sensation during sex. Its design can reduce the risk of premature ejaculation and help you last longer in bed.

• Penis sleeves may offer significant benefits if you can’t use ED medications. First-line treatments for ED include Viagra® (and its active ingredient, sildenafil), Cialis® (tadalafil), Stendra® (avanafil), and other PDE5 inhibitors. While these medications have solid track records in improving ED, they’re not suitable for everyone. If you have health issues or don’t want to take prescription medication for ED, a penis sleeve is a non-pharmacological alternative.

Cons of penis sleeves include:

• A penis sleeve doesn’t enhance blood flow to the penis. Enhanced blood flow to your penis is crucial for improving ED, but penis sleeves do not accomplish this. If you have ED and can use medication, you may notice better results from medications such as sildenafil or tadalafil. 

• A penis sleeve can provide a different type of sensation from penetrative sex. Some men may not like the feeling of sex with toys or aids. They may find the extra component annoying or distracting. 

• A penis sleeve may be an unnecessary expense. While wearing a penis sleeve for extra length or girth can be fun now and then, the reality is that you probably don’t need it. 

Many of the most popular penis sleeves have hundreds of positive reviews from users, suggesting that they offer real benefits when it comes to enhancing sexual pleasure. However, the scientific proof is a little light — especially when compared to the research behind proven treatments for ED.

But research suggests that penis sleeves can be effective in some circumstances.

For example, one scientific review published in 2017 mentioned penis sleeves as an option for men with erectile dysfunction who want to have penetrative sex.

But the review also noted that the efficacy of a penis extender sleeve could depend on factors like fit, shape, and thickness.

Another scientific review from 2019 stated that penis sleeves and similar devices can help men with erectile dysfunction preserve their ability to have penetrative sex. 

Although these findings support the use of penis sleeves for ED, there’s currently no research that directly compares penis sleeves with other ED treatment options — namely, prescription medications. 

Because of this, it’s hard to know if penis sleeves are as effective, more effective, or less effective than existing options for treating ED. They do different things, so in many ways, it just depends on what you’re looking for.

Like other sex toys and devices for treating erectile dysfunction, penis sleeves vary significantly in price. Inexpensive penis sleeves are sold online and in sex stores for anywhere from $10 to $50, while higher-quality silicone penis sleeves may cost several hundred dollars.

In general, you should expect to spend between $30 and $100 for a solid quality sleeve to add girth and length or around $400 or more for a custom penis sleeve that is a replica of what you’re already working with.

As prices increase, penis sleeves tend to become more realistic and comfortable for both you and your partner, with features such as skin-safe silicone, different firmness levels, matte options, texturing, and more life-like shapes. 

Less costly penile sleeves are sometimes made from lower-quality silicone, and some low-cost sleeve devices are made from porous sex toy materials that may be difficult to keep clean.

Using a penis sleeve is an easy process. Below, we’ve outlined how to buy and use a penis extension sleeve if you’re looking to spice things up a bit. 

What to Do Before You Order a Penis Sleeve

Before you commit to a penis sleeve, do the following: 

• Take out the tape measure. It’s essential that you accurately measure your penis before you press the pay button at checkout to make sure you’re buying a product that will fit. Most cock sleeves should fit snugly but comfortably over your erect penis. 

• Compare notes. Next, compare your penis size to your soon-to-be pleasure sleeve to make sure it’ll offer the perfect fit. Be aware that many low-cost penis sleeves are only available in a single size. 

• Try it on for size. After your penis sleeve arrives, place it over your partially erect or flaccid penis, securing the sleeve at the base of your testicles. Make sure it fits comfortably and covers you how it’s supposed to.

How to Safely Wear a Penis Sleeve

Once you’ve found your perfect match, let’s talk about how you wear it:

1. Make sure the penis sleeve is snug and in place. Once your penis is erect, the sleeve should stay in place on its own with little or no forward or backward movement. 

2. Use a water-based lube on the outside of your silicone penis sleeve.

3. Slowly insert your sleeved penis into your partner while ensuring the lube is evenly distributed and that your partner is comfortable.

4. Have at it! Enjoy the ride with your shiny new “cock sleeve.”

5. When finished, wash the sleeve with a quality toy cleaner and store it in a dry, clean space.

We think you're perfect just the way you are — but if you think a penis sleeve would make you feel more confident in the bedroom and improve your sexual health, we support it.

Contrary to what porn might imply, size matters less than you think. In fact, the typical penis size isn’t that large (roughly 5.2 inches, according to some research). While it’s fine and fun to wear a penis sleeve now and then, it’s important that you don’t let the boost in penis size make you feel insecure when you have sex without the sleeve. 

If you wear a penis sleeve for extra fun rather than ED, by all means. But don’t be fooled into thinking your real penis isn’t enough to satisfy your partner. You are enough.

If you decide to make the purchase, know your goal. To avoid accidentally buying a poor-quality penis sleeve or one that won’t meet your needs, make sure to ask yourself the following questions when you compare different products:

• Why are you buying the penis sleeve? Do you want a size-enhancing sleeve or one that allows for easier penetration? Do you want an open or closed cock sheath? The type of sleeve you pick will significantly impact your sensation levels during sex, so it’s important to understand what you want before making a purchase.

• What features does it offer? Before selecting a penis sleeve, check that its features match your sexual preferences and expectations.

• What is the sleeve made of? Make sure to choose a material that offers the right mix of benefits (for example, life-like texture, skin safety, or ease of proper care and cleaning with warm water) for your needs.

If you’re looking for ways to treat ED that don’t necessarily involve wrapping your penis in silicone, consider erectile dysfunction medications, ED devices, or making a few healthy lifestyle changes.  

Erectile Dysfunction Medications

Currently, the most effective way for most men to treat erectile dysfunction and maintain an erection is through the use of ED medications that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, such as:

• Viagra (sildenafil)

• Cialis (tadalafil)

• Levitra® (vardenafil)

• Stendra (avanafil)

• Discreet ED meds like Hims Hard Mints

These medications, called PDE5 inhibitors, increase blood flow to the penis to make it easier to get and stay hard when you’re sexually aroused. There are also some other types of ED medications — one is alprostadil, which you inject into your penis.

Erectile Dysfunction Devices

Erectile dysfunction devices may be able to help improve the symptoms of your ED problems. These include: 

• Vacuum erection devices (ED pumps or penis pumps) 

• Sex toys such as cock rings

• Male penis vibrators

While research on the effectiveness of these products is mixed, many men claim that they help improve erections and enhance other aspects of sexual performance.

Lifestyle Changes

If you have ED because of an issue like obesity or high blood pressure, changing certain aspects of your lifestyle may help make your ED symptoms less severe and allow you to have better sex more easily. Simple changes include:

• Eating a balanced diet

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Limiting your consumption of alcohol

• Quitting smoking

• Prioritizing sleep

• Lowering your stress levels

For more simple tips, check out our complete guide on home remedies and lifestyle changes for ED. 

Whether you and your partner call it a cock sleeve, a dick sleeve, or a penis sheath when you’re alone, penis sleeves are a great way to enhance everybody’s good time. 

They can turbo-charge your partner’s pleasure and help you in the bedroom, especially if you’re experiencing a sexual dysfunction like ED or premature ejaculation.

Penis sleeves are great for a few reasons:

• They come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re looking to lengthen your penis or enhance your penis girth, there are plenty of options out there for you to browse through — from mild to wild.

• They offer many features. Even if you’re not looking for a temporary fix for ED or premature ejaculation, penis sleeves provide plenty of features for anyone looking to kick things up in the bedroom. There are sleeves that vibrate, come with butt plugs and dildo attachments, have built-in pleasure ribs, and even some that offer extensions (and everything in between).

• But they’re not your only option. If you’re experiencing ED and premature ejaculation but you’re not completely sold on penis sleeves, there are many other options out there for you to discuss with a healthcare professional. These options include everything from benzocaine wipes and thicker condoms for PE to prescription medications for ED.

If you’re interested in improving your sex life, schedule a virtual visit with one of our certified healthcare providers to ask for medical advice.

Want more tips to improve your sexual wellness? Check out these 13 tips for keeping your penis healthy, find out the truth about penis enlargement methods, and explore a full range of sexual health products.