The occasional quickie can be completely satisfying, but an inability to control ejaculation on a regular basis can result in significant frustration for both partners. This makes ejaculation control an important aspect of penis care. The causes of early ejaculation are many and varied, ranging from heightened penis sensation to poor muscle control. Learning how to control the moment of climax can help men prolong their pleasure, satisfy their partners and avoid the frustrations involved in crossing the finish line a bit too early. Consider the following 10 techniques:
1) Apply pressure to the perineum. Located between the scrotum and anus, the perineum is close to the prostate gland. Applying pressure to the gland can prevent it from releasing ejaculate through to the urethra. Men can apply this pressure themselves or ask their partners to get involved.
2) Tug those testes (gently). When a man reaches the brink, his testicles get pulled upward. Gently pulling them down can delay orgasm.
3) Change up the positions. The break in time and the redirection of thought involved in frequently switching up positions can be enough to keep some men in the game late into the night.
4) Avoid over-stimulating positions. Everyone has their favorite positions; some allow for deeper penetration, while others apply more stimulation to the head of the penis. Avoiding these positions, or limiting time spent in them, can make playtime last longer. For some men, this means limiting or avoiding missionary and rear-entrance positions.
5) Breathe deep. Deep breathing is a meditative technique designed to promote relaxation and, when consciously used for this purpose, controlling sexual responses. This technique may be particularly useful for men whose early finishes are attributed to anxiety. As climax approaches, take five deep breaths, holding each for three seconds and exhaling slowly.
6) Start and stop. When a man is on the brink, he can usually put it off by abruptly pulling out and abstaining from all stimulating activity for 30 seconds. This can not only prolong sex, but create stimulating suspense for a man’s partner as well.
7) Exercise the muscles that control ejaculation. The pubococcygeus muscle in the penis stops the flow of urine and ejaculate. A man can increase his control by performing an exercise called the kegel. First, identify the muscle; the easiest way to do so is by stopping the flow of urine and noting the muscle involved. To perform kegels, simply contract and relax the muscle quickly several times over a 10-second period. Do three sets of these at a time, several times a day. This exercise can be done just about anywhere, anytime. Once the technique is mastered and the muscle, strengthened, a man can contract it when orgasm approaches to interrupt ejaculate flow.
8) Squeeze the base. A sudden squeeze to the base of the penis on the brink of orgasm can interrupt pleasure just enough to make a man last. As with perineum pressure and the testicle tug, squeezing the base can be done by a man or his partner.
9) Play often. A lack of regular stimulation can leave the penis hypersensitive. This is particularly true for uncircumcised men, whose penis heads are protected from any stimulation most of the day by the foreskin. Uncut men can benefit from gently pulling the foreskin back and touching the heads of their penises several times a day.
10) Use a desensitizing condom. “Climax-control” condoms containing numbing agents such as benzocaine can help decrease penis sensation and, therefore, prolong sexual activity. For some men, they provide just enough numbing effect to control ejaculation without putting a damper on pleasure.
Ejaculation control is an important component of penis health, but it’s not all a man needs. Good hygiene keeps the skin healthy, while safe sexual practices and avoidance of excess friction will prevent health problems such as infections, dry skin and soreness. Some men may wish to supplement their penis care regimen with a penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) that keeps the member hydrated, flushed with fresh blood flow and rich with nerve supply. Look for vitamin E, acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid on product ingredient lists.