Edging Technique For Premature Ejaculation: 5 Simple Steps
Written by Dr. Justin Lehmiller on Nov 14th, 2021
Do you routinely find yourself reaching climax sooner than you or your partner want?
Well practicing the edging technique during masturbation or sex can help you last longer in bed.
A lot of guys find that the edging technique (also called the 'edging method'), is an excellent place to begin for addressing bedroom performance.
It’s a fairly easy exercise in which you take control over ejaculation just before you reach the brink of orgasm.
Think of it simply as:
- Stimulate the penis as you would normally.
- Pull back when you get close to orgasm and stop all stimulation.
- Repeat over and over again.
Many men find the edging method to be a bit frustrating at first, but once you get the hang of it, you just might find that it enhances your sexual enjoyment and performance.
This technique relies heavily on self-control. It's up to you to know the right time to stop all sexual stimulation to take a short breather.
In this article, we’ll cover the basics of this technique.
If you follow this step-by-step method, you will likely find that you can last longer with your partner than ever before.
Before we begin, let's cover the most frequently asked questions about edging.
Quick FAQs
How Does The Edging Method For Premature Ejaculation Work?
The basic idea behind the edging technique is that once a guy hits a certain level of sexual arousal, there is no going back.
This level of stimulation is sometimes referred to as ‘the point of no return’—a period of high sexual excitement that eventually culminates in orgasm.
The edging method aims to reduce sexual stimulation just before reaching that point.
Take a look at the first chart below.
As you can see, there are four different phases that men usually go through during a sexual encounter.
- Rising level of stimulation (excitement),
- Sustained levels of sexual excitement (plateau)
- Orgasm
- And, finally, a relaxation period (resolution)
Now, take a look at this second chart, which shows what men with premature ejaculation experience during sex.
Do you notice the difference?
There’s no plateau phase.
These men reach orgasm in a much shorter period of time.
The objective of the edging method is to help guys take control over the timing of their orgasms.
Perfecting this technique allows men to delay orgasm by effectively creating their own level of sustained, sub-orgasmic excitement.
How To Do The Edging Method
Successful use of the edging method for ejaculation control requires you to get in touch with your body -- both literally and figuratively. It all begins with knowing the signs prior to ejaculation.
These signs may differ from one guy to the next; however, most guys will probably notice a distinct feeling of pressure building up in the genitals.
You may also feel a tightening of the pelvic floor muscles (the muscles you use when you want to stop peeing midstream) and the feeling of the testicles being pulled closer to the body.
For the best results, you may need to experiment a bit to figure out your unique signs and sensations. Many guys will find that masturbation is the perfect way to start using this technique.
The benefit of exploring this method on your own is that you will be better able to concentrate on what is going on in your body.
You won't have the stress of worrying about whether your sexual partner is having fun.
Once you become aware of the changes in your body just before you reach climax, you are ready to start edging.
Learning The Edging Method On Your Own
Step 1: Time Block
Block out 30 minutes of time when you won't be disturbed. Get into bed and begin to masturbate as usual.
Start by maintaining a firm grip and steady rhythm, nothing too aggressive. Your goal is simply to build up the level of stimulation slowly.
Step 2: Recognize
When you start to recognize any of the indicators of climax, stop immediately.
In the beginning, it is better to err on the side of pausing too early rather than waiting until it is too late.
As you get more experienced, you can push the timing to the very edge—to the point of no return.
Step 3: HOLD!
Pause until the urge to climax completely goes away. This can take several seconds or as long as a minute, and that’s okay.
Don't resume masturbation, even if you notice a slight decrease in erection firmness. If it helps, try taking slow, deep breaths to calm yourself.
Step 4: Next Round
Once you feel like you’re in control, begin to masturbate again.
Try to repeat the above steps 4-5 times before finally allowing yourself to climax.
Don't feel frustrated if it takes multiple sessions before you are able to prevent yourself from reaching an orgasm immediately.
Step 5: Mastery
After numerous sessions, you'll probably begin to notice more prolonged periods between when you first get your erection and when you experience ejaculation.
If you find that you’re having trouble with the above, explore different masturbation techniques.
For example, you might try masturbating without lube in order to reduce sensation.
Over time, you will learn to gain ejaculatory control and rediscover the plateau stage.
There are iOS and Android applications that guide you through this process – our favorite being the PEA App. You can get it free here.
Using The Edging Technique With A Partner
Step 1: Communicate
You will need to talk to your partner before trying the edging method during sex because they need to be an active participant in it.
Make sure your partner is completely supportive of the process before trying it with them.
Step 2: Teamwork
It is critical for both of you to take it slow from the beginning. Aggressive or intense foreplay may cause you to reach your limit early on.
So, go easy.
At this point, you should also decide on a “safeword” or signal to indicate that you are on the verge of orgasm.
This will let your partner know when to stop stimulation.
Step 3: Start Slow
Instead of jumping straight into intercourse, start by asking your partner to stimulate you manually.
For men with severe cases of PE, simply having your penis stroked by your partner may be enough to reach the point of no return.
If you feel like you are going to orgasm, use your signal to tell your partner to stop.
Step 4: Cool The Jets
Wait until the feeling goes away completely. Then ask your partner to continue to stimulate you by hand. Continue this process until you find you that you can last for a couple of minutes.
You shouldn't expect this to happen on the first try, so don't feel bad if it takes a while to get there.
This is a learning process. And if you climax sooner than you want, don't let that be the end of sex—pay attention to your partner’s needs, too, whether that means stimulating them by hand or with your mouth.
Final Stretch
Once you are able to last a few minutes with your partner stimulating you by hand, try moving on to other types of stimulation like oral, vaginal, or anal sex, depending on what you and your partner enjoy.
When you're using this method during sex, you can do a few different things during the "stop" portion.
Some men like to stop entirely and pull out. Others simply prefer to stop thrusting but keep their penis inside their partner. Yet others may continue with very slow and shallow thrusts.
Take it slow. Build up to more adventurous sex.
In the beginning, you can just have slow, gentle sex until you really feel in control.
Does The Edging Method Really Work?
The edging technique does indeed work for some people, but it is not a cure-all for every guy.
According to a study published in the journal Sexual Medicine, this technique does not offer across-the-board relief for guys when it comes to bedroom performance.
However, due to the ease and cost-free aspects of this option, it is definitely something worth trying.
However, if you give it the old college try and you still can't control your climaxes, it may be time to move on to alternatives.
Edging Method Vs Other Treatment Options
Different treatments work for different guys.
Men who don't see any benefits after using the edging method have other options at their disposal.
One of the most accessible alternatives is to use a delay spray.
These work by desensitizing the nerves on your penis, effectively meaning that you will require more stimulation in order to reach orgasm.
Edging Method Vs Squeeze Technique
The squeeze technique (or the 'squeeze method') as it's also known, is another well-known approach to lasting longer with a partner.
It is very similar to the edging technique but requires the additional step of squeezing the penis.
You can use the squeeze technique alone, but it may be easier to do it with a partner.
1. Begin sexual activity as usual, and when you notice you are about to reach climax, tell your partner.
2. Stop and remove your penis. Have your partner firmly grasp the top or bottom of the shaft and squeeze. The squeeze method needs to be done firm enough to prevent ejaculate from exiting, but not strong enough to cause pain.
3. Once the urge to climax ends, you can resume having sex.
Studies show that men who use the squeeze technique often have better results, but it can potentially cause pain and may also be disruptive to intercourse.
You can find more information on the squeeze technique by reading this article: The Squeeze Technique: Step by Step Guide (With Images)
Edging Method Vs Kegels
Kegel exercises are also a good solution for treating premature ejaculation, but unlike the other two techniques, Kegels require a real commitment. You will be required to exercise your pelvic floor muscles regularly outside of the bedroom.
Kegels focus on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles to help increase ejaculation control.
1. Before trying Kegels, you need to locate the right muscles. You can identify them by trying to stop peeing midstream.
2. Once you know where the muscles are, practice contracting them for several seconds and then slowly releasing them. Repeat this several times. You will need to do several sets of these exercises on a regular basis to achieve and maintain benefits.
Kegels are one of the most successful do-it-yourself treatments. But there is a lot more you need to know than the basics above.
Discover everything you need to know by reading this article: Do Kegels Help Men Fix Premature Ejaculation?
Takeaways
Edging, also known as the edging method, is one of many tools available to help you enjoy longer-lasting sex with your partner.
It’s a fairly easy exercise that can be practiced alone before jumping in bed with a partner or significant other.
It takes a lot of self-control, however.
It’s important to be in tune with your body and to learn the sensations you experience just before climax.
Once you know what these signs are, you’ll need to stop all stimulation to delay orgasm.
Pause for as long as needed in order for the sensation to subside.
This is a good time to switch up positions or master your foreplay techniques.
After all, even if you are able to last within the normal time range for the male orgasm (5-6 minutes), you’ll still be several minutes short of the average length of time it takes women to reach orgasm.
Give the edging method a shot and see if it works for you.
If it doesn’t, the good news is that there are plenty of other options you can try, like the squeeze method, to build your bedroom performance and stamina.
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