Before this thread slips into oblivion, I thought I would share some of my own ideas/theories as to how hangers work. Some of the anatomical details are still a bit foggy to me, but here’s the best I can do for now. This post applies only to hangers designed to be applied low on the penis, such as the Bib, the Wench, and the Redi-Stretcher. It does not apply to noose-style hangers, or those that grip the glans or the area just proximal to the glans.
I believe that hangers work by forming region of compressed tissue. The compressed tissue consists of skin, superficial fascia, lymph, and blood. It may also include portions of the CCs and CS ahead of the hanger.
Proximally, the compressed tissue forms a ring or shoulder on which the leading edge of the hanger sits. Distally, it forms what I think of as a “donut hole” within which the glans sits. When the arrangement is working, the hanger does not push forward over the shoulder, and the glans does not pull backward through the donut hole. Since the glans is firmly attached to the tunica (which in turn is anchored to bone within the body), the glans forms a hard stop.
Mechanically, it works like this: The hanger is applied. Weight is applied. The hanger slides forward, extending the shaft and forming a distal plug of compressed tissue. The plug reaches the glans. The glans nestles into the donut hole and pulls back on the plug. Equilibrium is reached when the pressure in the plug reaches a level that prevents the hanger from further advancing. Weight from the hanger is then transmitted though the plug to the glans. The glans then pulls on the tunica, and you’re done.
In order to form the plug, the hanger must pull forward skin and fascia from the shaft. To the extent that the skin and fascia resist being pulled forward, they create a resisting force, which subtracts from the force applied to the tunica.
In order to prevent prolapse of the glans (i.e., the glans pulling back through the donut hole), the glans must be relatively incompressible. Here is where I have had problems with these devices. If prolapse occurs, the skin continues to slide forward. This causes excessive skin stretch, discomfort, and pain. It may also cause the hanger to slide off altogether. I believe users of these hangers must be very careful to maintain adequate internal blood pressure in the glans. Too little pressure and prolapse can occur.
Too much pressure can also be a problem. Eventually, all users of hangers may reach a point where glans pressure becomes uncomfortable or worse. I suppose, in the extreme, blood vessels may burst (in the glans or plug) and tissues may rupture.
To combat the problem of excessive pressure, counterpressure can be used. I have successfully used Xenolith’s HTWs to relieve the discomfort. I suppose a tight condom (or an innertube) could also be used.
One more thing, and then I’ll stop rambling. It’s possible that the distal portions of the CCs are really part of the plug. Rather than the glans pushing back through the donut, the distal parts of the CCs pressurize and stop the advance of the hanger on their own. Possibly it’s a combination of the distal CCs and the glans.