Edging techniques refer to various methods used to prolong sexual arousal and delay orgasm. By bringing yourself or your partner close to the point of climax then stopping stimulation, you can extend lovemaking and experience greater pleasure. Learning proper edging techniques allows you to take control of your arousal, intensify orgasms, and become more in tune with your body.
What is Edging?
Edging, also known as orgasm control or peaking, is a sexual technique where you purposefully refrain from reaching orgasm. The goal is to hover at the edge of climax as long as possible before finally tipping over into an extremely powerful release.
Edging builds anticipation and sexual tension by alternating periods of stimulation with backing off. This amplifies arousal and makes orgasms more intense. With practice, edging allows you to separate climax from ejaculation and experience multiple orgasms.
Benefits of Edging Techniques
- More intense, longer-lasting orgasms
- Increased sexual stamina
- Greater self-awareness and control over your body’s responses
- Deeper connection and intimacy with your partner
- Reduced performance anxiety
- Exploration of your personal arousal patterns
By honing your edging skills through the following techniques, you can unlock new realms of sexual bliss.
Edging Techniques for Men
The Start-Stop Method
This basic edging technique involves stimulating yourself or your partner until just before the point of no return, then completely stopping. After a few seconds to allow arousal to subside, resume stimulation and repeat the process. The start-stop method helps build stamina and sensitivity.
The Squeeze Technique
In addition to stopping stimulation, the squeeze technique has you firmly squeeze the tip of the penis for 30 seconds before restarting. This pushes you further back from the edge of the climax. Try alternating start-stop with squeezing to safely edge for longer periods.
Ballooning
Ballooning utilizes Kegel exercises to gain control over the buildup to ejaculation. As you approach orgasm, stop stimulation and perform Kegels. This will cause the penis to swell and “balloon” temporarily before shrinking again as arousal diminishes. Doing ballooning strengthens pelvic floor muscles.
Edging Techniques for Women
Using Toys
Vibrators or dildos with adjustable speed settings easily allow edging by turning them off when you get close to climax. Look for toys with powerful vibrations and an instant on/off button to make it effortless to stop yourself from tipping over.
The Diversion Method
Right as you feel yourself approaching orgasm, gently change the type of stimulation to something less direct, like caressing other erogenous zones. This might mean switching from a vibrator on your clitoris to your partner slowly kissing your neck.
Tantric Edging
Used in tantric sex, this technique incorporates breathing exercises. As you near orgasm, inhale deeply and visualize drawing the energy up your body instead of releasing it. Combining this with gentler touching pushes you back from the edge.
Edging Your Partner
Edging your partner requires paying close attention to their cues and backing off stimulation at just the right moments. Let their verbal and physical reactions guide when you speed up, slow down, or stop touching them. Discuss desires beforehand and check-in during the encounter.
Masturbation Edging
Exploring edging through solo masturbation lets you learn your personal arousal patterns without worrying about a partner’s experience. Make edging part of your self-pleasure practice 2-3 times per week to increase control.
How to Edge Successfully
- Communicate desires clearly with your partner and agree on signals.
- Focus intently on physical sensations.
- Breathe slowly and deeply.
- Contract pelvic floor muscles when nearing climax.
- Visualize energy moving up the body away from genitals.
- Relax into plateaus between peaks of arousal.
Edging takes patience and experience identifying your personal point of no return. Don’t get frustrated by “disappearing” or weak orgasms early on. With time, you’ll get better at riding the edge for as long as you want before finally going over.
Set the mood with soft lighting, soothing music, and lots of lubricant. Avoid distractions that might interfere with the mental focus required.
Edging for extended periods pumps the genitals full of blood, so take frequent breaks to avoid soreness. Keep water nearby to stay hydrated as well.
Are There Risks to Edging?
For most people, edging is completely safe when practiced in moderation. However, those with cardiovascular conditions should take care not to overexert themselves.
Some myths suggest edging can “break” your ability to orgasm normally or lead to erectile dysfunction. But studies show no evidence for long-term effects when done properly. Edging simply offers voluntary control over climax, not dysfunction.
On the contrary, a 2014 study found women who masturbate more frequently have easier orgasms. Edging yourself teaches you about your sexual responses, making future orgasms more achievable.
Maximize Pleasure with Edging
Edging provides endless possibilities for exploration and intensifies all sensations. It also fosters communication, trust, and intimacy with partners.
Rather than rushing to climax, edging lets you sink into a sensual flow state. Hone your ability to recognize and back down from the point of no return. With practice, you can ride waves of euphoria for as long as desired before finally tipping into earth-shattering release.
Reference
- Althof, Stanley E., et al. “An Update of the International Society of Sexual Medicine’s Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Premature Ejaculation (PE).” The Journal of Sexual Medicine, vol. 11, no. 6, 2014, pp. 1392-1422. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0092623X.2014.958792.
- Holland, Kimberly. “Kegel Exercises for Men: Benefits and How-To Instructions.” Healthline, 15 Feb. 2021, https://www.healthline.com/health/kegel-exercises-for-men.
- Watson, Corey. “Edging for Orgasm Control: Benefits, Tips, and Techniques.” Healthline, 15 Jan. 2020, https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex/edging-orgasm-control.
