Yes – masturbating can help you last longer in bed!
There are two ways in which masturbating can help you last longer (but one is more recommended than the other):
- Masturbate before sex and take advantage of the refractory period
- Use masturbation exercises such as the squeeze technique and the stop-start method (also known as edging) to improve your stamina
How can masturbating before sex make you last longer in bed?
After you orgasm, the body enters a phase called the refractory period.
In this period you can’t have an erection, your sex drive decreases and your penis becomes “desensitized.”
The purpose of the refractory period is to let your body have time to recover after ejaculating.
For some men, it’s easier to last longer when they have sex right after the refractory period.
So, if you feel a high level of pent-up sexual tension (perhaps because you haven’t had sex in a long time) it could be a good idea to masturbate a couple of hours before sex.
After orgasm, a hormone called prolactin gets released.
The more prolactin in the system, the longer the refractory period will be.
A study has shown that when we orgasm from sex, our prolactin levels are about 400% higher than when we ejaculate from masturbation!
This means that during sex, we experience a deeper level of physical satisfaction, leading to a longer refractory period.
How long before sex should you masturbate to last longer?
Well, this varies from man to man. However, as a rule of thumb:
- teenagers have a refractory period of a few minutes.
- A 30-year-old man typically needs half an hour or more;
- and for many men 50 years and older, it can take between 12 – 24 hours before they can get a second erection.
Another thing to keep in mind is that studies show the time it takes men to have a second orgasm is longer when they ejaculate during sex, as opposed to when they masturbate.
Why masturbating before sex is not a good strategy for lasting longer in bed?
First of all, while it is true that some men are able to last longer the second time around, this does not solve the underlying problem.
Furthermore, the older you get, the longer it will take you to get an erection after ejaculation.
Many men with premature ejaculation who used to use this tactic have to face the problem at a later age when they can no longer get a second erection in time.
Also, another thing to take into account is that it’s not easy to time the first orgasm just right.
All this means that treating the problem is a far better solution than simply hoping things will go better the second time around.
Masturbation exercises for premature ejaculation
If you want to last longer in bed during sex, you can practice lasting longer during masturbation.
There are a couple of masturbation exercises that can help you last longer in bed.
Sex therapists use these exercises to help men with premature ejaculation improve their stamina and learn to control their ejaculation reflex.
Stop-Start Method (Edging)
You might have heard about the stop-start method before. It was developed back in the fifties by urologist James Semans and has been used by sex therapists ever since.
The idea is pretty simple:
- While masturbating keep close attention to the sensations you feel. Try putting these sensations on an “arousal scale” of 1 to 10.
- When you feel like you’re approaching the “point of no return,” which should be around level 9, stop masturbating.
- Take a few moments to regulate your breath and heart rate, then resume the stimulation.
- You should repeat this process 2-3 times and ejaculate on the fourth.
With practice, your stamina will improve, and you should be able to last longer and longer.
Try practicing the stop-start method at least three times a week.
It’s important to note that for men with full-blown premature ejaculation, an organized treatment plan that includes different exercises with increasing intensity levels is usually needed to overcome this issue.
Squeeze technique
The squeeze technique is similar to the stop-start method (or edging), but it includes a slight difference:
Instead of just stopping the stimulation, you also perform a hard squeeze on the penis glans. Use your two forefingers and thumb to perform the squeeze and squeeze for about 10 seconds.
The squeeze technique was developed by sex therapists William Masters and Virginia Johnson.
Like the stop-start method, it is meant to help men gain better control over their ejaculation reflex.
Summary
Masturbating can definitely be used as a tool that can help you last longer in bed.
It’s important for men to know that if they are not pleased with their sex life in general, or their ejaculatory control specifically, help is available!
- References
Brody, S., & Krüger, T. H. (2006). The post-orgasmic prolactin increase following intercourse is greater than following masturbation and suggests greater satiety.Biological psychology,71(3), 312–315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2005.06.008
About Dr. Michael Stokes
Mental Health Counselor and Sex Therapist
Dr. Michael Stokes is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist in Rhode Island and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Connecticut who has a Doctorate in Professional Counseling and Supervision.
Dr. Stokes serves as a professional consultant for the Between Us Clinic. He is available for online teletherapy sessions. He also writes and reviews professional materials and articles.
In his private clinic, Dr. Stokes enjoys working with individuals and couples of all genders and sexual orientations who need additional support. He has years of experience providing sex therapy and can treat an array of sexual and intimacy disorders.
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