Highlights
- Edging for premature ejaculation is the practice of being brought almost to orgasm, then stopping to “cool off” before resuming intercourse.
- Also called “stop-start,” edging has been a suggested practice for men experiencing premature ejaculation (PE) for years, with some evidence that it may be effective.
- Edging has other benefits as well for sexual communication and shifting the focus of sex from exclusively orgasm.
- Edging can be done without any medication or equipment.
- Anyone interested in edging as a way to treat PE can easily try it to see if it’s right for them.
Premature ejaculation is about control, or the lack of it. So, can you build more control with practice? That’s where a sexual practice known as “edging” comes into play. Research shows that for some men, edging can help with PE caused by psychological factors, especially when combined with other forms of treatment.
What Is Edging?
Edging is where you bring your partner (or yourself) to the point of orgasm and then stop, “cooling off” before returning to sexual stimulation. The idea is that the person being “edged” has a more intense orgasm when they finally climax from riding these cycles a few times, and that the focus shifts to the other aspects of sex beyond orgasm. Anybody can “edge” themselves or their partner; it’s not a gender-exclusive practice.
Edging is generally presented as a fun technique to try in the bedroom, but it may be helpful for PE as well.
Can Edging Help With PE?
In most cases, premature ejaculation is treatable, and edging is part of the approach for many. In sexual health circles, it’s better known as the “start-stop method” and is often recommended as a behavioral technique that can help to delay ejaculation.
A 2020 randomized controlled trial concluded that a modified edging technique using a vibrator can be an effective treatment for PE, reducing the sexual distress, anxiety, and depression men with PE can struggle with. The technique is usually used in combination with other therapies to treat premature ejaculation that is caused by psychological (as opposed to physical) causes.
Beyond premature ejaculation treatment, edging can have a range of other benefits as well.
You can learn more about your own body.
Edging requires a knowledge of your “stroke count,” which is how long it takes you to masturbate yourself to orgasm. This can help you better understand how your body works and get a sense of your emotions during sex.
If you’re feeling anxious or worried when you get close to orgasm, that’s something you can work on. You can also increase your stroke count with practice, and learn about yourself along the way.
It takes the focus off orgasm.
Part of the reason PE can be so stressful is that we associate orgasm as the end of a sexual encounter. Edging means you don’t have a particular “finish line” for sex, which can help with anxiety about your sexual performance.
Edging also means you spend more time on physical intimacy, foreplay, and other forms of sex. Giving your partner some control, for example, can be a good way to better understand your needs.
It builds communication in the bedroom.
For edging to be effective, you have to communicate with your partner. You need to be able to tell them what you want, when to stop, and when to keep going.
Improving your communication can help in other ways. Often part of the problem with PE is that men feel they’re leaving their partner unsatisfied. Work on how you talk about sex, both in the abstract and in the moment, and see where it leads you.
It helps build strength in your pelvic muscles.
Edging isn’t just something your partner does to you. It requires you to use your Kegel muscles more often to stop or control orgasm, so you can give those muscles a real workout as you build your stroke count.
Stronger pelvic floor muscles help with PE, and also with your overall urological health, so it’s an exercise worth doing. There are also kegel training exercises you can do outside of sex to help with your self-control.
Is Edging Right For Me?
One of the more useful features of edging is that it doesn’t require anything other than commitment to the concept, and it can be used with other interventions for PE.
PE treatment generally involves multiple approaches, so edging is ideal to try, especially when you pair it with tools like PE wipes, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and counseling or sex therapy.
First, develop a plan. Whether you’re trying edging for yourself or involving your partner, figure out what your current “stroke count” is.
Next, do some research. If you’re working with a sex therapist, ask them about edging and what their recommended approach would be. There are also edging communities online that can offer advice.
Finally, be ready to experiment. Like any new approach in the bedroom, you’re going to have to try it out and see what works best. Edging can be done with any form of sexual activity, so trying different forms will help you find what works best for you.
Medication Can Help With Premature Ejaculation
There is also increasing evidence that in some cases, erectile dysfunction medication can effectively treat PE. For example, research has found that tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, can have a positive effect on PE with a daily 5 mg dose. While research into this potential is ongoing and PE remains an “off-label” use, men who suffer from ED or an enlarged prostate may also benefit from the effects of tadalafil.
Treating PE requires multiple approaches, and you can get guidance from a professional with help from eDrugstore.com. Visit our erectile dysfunction page to get more information about PE, ED, and improving your sex life.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about health and related topics but is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Dan is a long-time freelance writer focusing on technology, science, health, and medicine, with a lifelong interest in physics, biology, and medicine. His work has taken a particular focus on scientific studies “beyond the headlines,” reading the study to more closely examine the results.