If you’re looking for a cost, drug and equipment-free treatment for your premature ejaculation (PE) then the pause-squeeze technique is perfect for you! In this article we discuss what the pause-squeeze technique is, how to use it and other alternatives to consider when treating PE.
Premature ejaculation (PE) refers to the situation whereby a man has an orgasm either before or less than a minute after starting sexual intercourse.
It’s a common sexual dysfunction that affects over 30% of men worldwide. According to a 2007 study, men who suffer from PE are also more likely to suffer from other sexual dysfunctions (e.g. erectle dysfuyction, low libido) and psychological disturbances (e.g. depression, anxiety). As such, treatment for PE is extremely helpful and important.
There are many ways to treat PE, including taking oral medications, using delay spray and creams, or seeking counseling. One of the more popular treatments is the pause-squeeze technique, which is free and does not require special equipment. In this article we discuss what the pause-squeeze technique is, how to use it and other alternatives to consider when treating PE.
The pause-squeeze technique is based largely on William Masters and Virginia Johnson’s “squeeze technique”, which they developed in the 1970s.
The aim of this technique is to allow you to have more control over your ejaculation. Doing so helps you delay your orgasm and last longer in bed.
The area where the shaft of the penis meets the head is called the frenulum. For men suffering from PE, their frenulum stimulation is rather intense, causing them to ejaculate very quickly.
To treat PE, the pause-squeeze technique requires you to use your thumb and finger to apply a small amount of pressure to the frenulum just before you’re about to orgasm and ejaculate. This pressure is applied for a few seconds until the urge to ejaculate subsides. This manually prevents your ejaculate from leaving your body.
After releasing pressure, wait around 30 seconds before resuming masturbation or sex. Doing this technique repeatedly allows you to last longer during sex.
The beauty of the pause-squeeze technique is it’s flexibility – you can do it either on your own (during masturbation) or with a partner (during sex).
Here are the specific steps when using this technique:
1. Begin by stimulating yourself. Make sure to maintain a comfortable pressure and pace.
2. When you feel that you’re about to ejaculate, release your pressure and slow your pace.
3. Find your frenulum. It’s the slightly raised area that’s in the center of the penile shaft and right below the head (AKA the area where the penis head meets the shaft).
4. Using your finger and thumb, apply a firm but tight pressure to your frenulum.
5. If this is your first time, do a couple of light squeezes. It might take some practice before you figure out the perfect amount of pressure to use. Remember to stop immediately if you feel any pain.
6. Continue adding pressure till the urge to ejaculate subsides.
7. Pause for around 30 seconds before resuming masturbation. You can repeat the process multiple times.
It might take a few tries before you figure out the right amount of pressure to add in order to prevent ejaculation. As such, don’t be disheartened if you fail to control your orgasm properly the first time around!
Before doing it with a partner, it’s advised that you discuss the technique with them first. If they’re onboard with the idea, demonstrate to them what to do, such as where to position their fingers and how much pressure they should apply.
1. Begin with normal penis stimulation.
2. When you feel that you’re about to ejaculate, stop thrusting or rubbing.
3. Get your partner to find your frenulum. It’s the slightly raised area that’s in the center of the penile shaft and right below the head (AKA the area where the penis head meets the shaft).
4. Using their finger and thumb, have your partner apply a firm but tight pressure to your frenulum.
5. If this is your partner’s first time, have them do a couple of light squeezes. It might take some practice before figuring out the perfect amount of pressure to use. Remember to ask them to stop immediately if you feel any pain.
6. Have your partner continue adding pressure till your urge to ejaculate subsides.
7. Pause for around 30 seconds before resuming any sexual activity. You can repeat the process multiple times.
It’s important to remember that your partner might grasp your frenulum differently from how you would if you attempt this technique yourself. In that case, there’s no cause for concern as long as the position is comfortable for the both of you.
YES!
The pause-squeeze technique has been shown to be effective in treating PE. According to Masters and Johnson, the technique was successful in treating over 85% of men suffering from PE within just 3 months.
That said, more research is required in this area. A 2015 systematic review that looked into 10 trials surrounding physical methods (including the pause-squeeze technique) came back with mixed results. Some trials showed that the pause-squeeze technique is effective in treating PE while others reported no improvements to PE.
Nonetheless, the researchers concluded that the technique was overall effective, especially when used in combination with other PE treatments.
Apart from the pause-squeeze technique, there are many other treatments available to treat PE. Using multiple treatments at once might prove to be a better remedy for your PE.
If you find that the pause-squeeze technique causes you pain or discomfort, then the stop-start technique (otherwise known as edging) is perfect for you!
Both techniques work in a similar fashion, the main difference being that the stop-start technique is a hands-free approach. Rather than squeezing your frenulum, all you have to do is stop any form of sexual stimulation just before ejaculation.
Like the pause-squeeze technique, you should resume sexual stimulation only when the sensation to ejaculate passes. You can repeat this process multiple times in one session.
Similarly, edging can be done either on your own (during masturbation), or with a partner (during sex).
Furthermore, according to a 2011 study, around 45-65% of men find quick success with the stop-start technique. As such, it’s a good alternative or addition to the pause-squeeze technique.
Apart from the stop-start technique, there are also other short and long-term techniques that can be incorporated into one’s lifestyle to treat PE. These include:
Prolonging foreplay is good as it reduces the pressure and expectations of sexual intercourse.
Rather than rushing into sexual intercourse, spend some time focusing on other sexual activities and playing with your partner. These include kissing, intimate touching and oral sex.
Furthermore, foreplay is also a good way to delay your climax whilst bringing your partner closer to an orgasm.
As its name suggests, climax-control condoms are specially designed to delay climax. They are typically made of a thicker latex and laced with localised numbing agents such as lidocaine or benzocaine, which are also found in delay creams and sprays. This reduces penis sensitivity, allowing you to last longer in bed.
Topical delay sprays and creams contain numbing agents such as lidocaine, prilocaine and benzocaine. They are usually applied to the penis around 10-15 minutes before sex to reduce sensitivity in the area, thus delaying ejaculation.
According to a 2020 study, lidocaine 5% spray is effective in treating PE. As such if you’re suffering from PE and looking for an effective and quick solution, delay sprays and creams are perfect for you.
Masturbating 1-2 hours before intercourse can increase your climaxing time. This makes it more difficult for you to finish quickly the next time round, thus allowing you to delay orgasm and PE.
The drawback? You must be able to anticipate when you’re having sex in order to use this technique.
Apart from the short-term techniques mentioned above, there are also long-term techniques that you can incorporate into your everyday life to treat PE. These include:
Kegel exercises are otherwise known as pelvic floor exercises. In some cases, PE is partly caused by weak pelvic floor muscles, which makes it harder for you to stop ejaculation.
To identify your pelvic floor muscles, stop your urination midstream. These muscles required to stop urination are your pelvic floor muscles.
To perform kegel exercises, tighten your pelvic floor muscles for around 3 seconds before relaxing for another 3 seconds. Repeat for at least 10 times.
What’s great about kegel floor exercises is its convenience factor – you can do them anywhere and at any time. However, when doing these exercises, always remember to breathe and to not hold your breath.
Counselors (or sex therapists) are trained mental health professionals that can guide you through any underlying problems in your life that might be affecting your sexual health. These include relationship issues, performance anxiety or even general stress.
This is especially since sexual dysfunctions like PE can have a negative impact on one’s relationship with their partner, causing both parties to feel less connnected or hurt.
Research has also shown that going for counselling alongside taking PE medication is a more effective way to treat PE compared to just taking medication alone.
The most popular prescription medication to treat PE today are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). A popular SSRI used to treat PE is Priligy (Dapoxetine).
SSRIs treat PE by boosting serotonin levels in the body. This results in a delayed reaction in parts of the brain that controls ejaculation. Orgasms are prolonged as a result. To treat PE, Priligy is usually taken 1-3 hours before sexual activity.
Interestingly, there are also other prescribed medications who have the potential to reduce PE. These include antidepressants, analgesics and Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. However, these medications are not specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat PE.
Ultimately, when seeking medication to treat PE, it’s recommended that you speak to a licensed medical professional before purchasing any drugs. This is to prevent any potential drug allergies or drug interactions.
If you’re currently suffering from PE, there are thankfully various different treatments available for you today. Here at Noah, we have doctors on our platform who are more than willing to guide you through the different PE treatments available best suited for your current needs and lifestyle.
Articles featured on Noah are for informational purposes only and should not be constituted as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. If you're looking for a healthcare provider, click here.
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