Sizing Struggles and Common Queries for Those Who Grow

Just to give some background: I started trying cage wear on my own around April this year. My first device was a silicone model from Amazon (a HoD601 knock-off). I eventually stopped wearing it because of significant edema and pinching in the gaps of the tube, as well as initial experiences with pinching on the base ring. Then I brought home another cage from Pandoras Boxxx (one of their blue line models) which I used for a short while. A pro-domme mentioned that she thought it was turning my scrotum quite dark, which worried me slightly since I was wearing it for hours to days at a time depending on the pinching severity. Aside from some dull ache in the balls and a “wire stretching” sensation along the bottom of the base ring where it pinches, I didn’t have pain. However, that potential discoloration bothered me.

After trying several devices, I’m now testing HT-v4 knock-offs sourced from Amazon. My first tube was the small size for about a week, and then I ordered the Nano which is what I am wearing currently. I have some general questions hoping someone can reassure me or give me the push to get a new device if needed. Note that I tend toward hypochondria.

• When measuring my base ring circumference with the string method, it comes out around 62mm (though somehow registering ~82mm makes me think I might be doing something wrong). Currently using a 52mm ring. At various points on the ring while completely flaccid, I can insert the tip of my index finger up to the first knuckle, or slightly past it if I push into the skin and wiggle (meaning there is resistance but entry is possible). Most online guides mention fitting a finger through; does it need to slide easily? Should it feel somewhat rigid? Is force required? Also, I notice varying degrees of darkening over time. Occasionally, my scrotum feels cold in spots, though not constantly. There’s no pain that stops me from walking around normally, but the pinching and dull ache on the back of the scrotum are present. I also find myself needing to use a shoelace method to keep the cage close. When aroused, as a grower there is barely any space between my ring and scrotum for a finger (unless I try hard, which works only sometimes); my balls darken further and push the cage slightly away from me (which tightening the lace usually fixes). Again, no sharp pain like being kicked in the nuts.

• Although circumcised, I naturally have loose skin bunched up behind the glans. With the HT-v4 knock-off, if I use the stocking method to tuck that skin inside the tube, it constricts my urine flow enough that I need to push it out. If left resting behind the tube instead, it gets trapped between my scrotum and the tube; when aroused, it bubbles up but usually settles back into a small bubble shortly after arousal subsides. I’m unsure if this is edema or not, and whether lack of pain means I shouldn’t worry too much about it.

• With both the small and nano cages, my urethral tip protrudes slightly like fish lips. Removing the tube for a couple of days lets any resulting bubble on the tip return to normal within an hour or two. There is also some swelling or indentations around the two holes at the cage head. My flaccid length varies quite a bit; I measure about 3 to 3.5 inches from base to tip, yet when wearing a Maxi or standard cage, it seems whether that length holds depends on if my tip stays behind where the glans sit on the cage. This is why I thought the small size would work well (knowing short cages are desired by some including myself), but the protruding tip raises concerns about safety.

• No pain aside from rubbing against clothes during the first day or two, which fades until sizing down again repeats the cycle (same pattern with urination). Peeing burns due to sensitivity initially then stops, despite fish lips remaining. Split-stream urination is another minor issue I resolve by adjusting my sitting position on the toilet.

• The shaft appears a slight shade just below medium purple within the acrylic clear tube. No pain there either; assuming compression causes this color change but want confirmation it’s normal.

There may be more points to add, but these are my main concerns regarding current cage wear. Please help me relax or realize if there is an issue! If there is a problem, how do I gradually transition into shorter cages? My long-term goal is eventually wearing an inverted cage. Thanks in advance!