What Is The 'Squeeze Technique' And Why Could It Benefit A Man's Sex Life?
What you do in the privacy of your room can often go unnoticed (at least in the world of science). Even so, the various sexual behaviors that negatively influence a man's sex life have been topics of interest for health professionals. From masturbating too much to the death grip that can affect men's sexual health, science has uncovered many such supposedly commonplace habits that actually don't serve a beneficial purpose. There's even a particular sex position that is considered most harmful to men.
That being said, there are also certain sexual practices that can enhance your sex life. Cue the squeeze technique, one of the doctor-recommended non-medical methods used to delay ejaculation. Considered the most common sexual disorder in those under 40 years of age, premature ejaculation (PE) affects up to 40% of men, with one in five between 18 and 59 years of age reporting some form of it (via the Cleveland Clinic).
The squeeze technique, also referred to as the pause-squeeze technique, focuses on engaging in sexual stimulation, whether via masturbation, oral sex, or regular intercourse, and bringing yourself to a point at which you're about to ejaculate, except instead of ejaculating, you squeeze the glans penis (the tip of the penis where the penis head joins the shaft) for a few seconds until the sensation passes. You can use your index and thumb finger to do this as needed for 30 seconds at a time.
The squeeze technique to prevent premature ejaculation: Why it works
Interestingly, different versions of the squeeze technique have existed since 1956. Although other forms of delaying ejaculation have since been found, this technique is still recommended as one form of combating premature ejaculation.
PE, which is just one of the many weird things that can happen to men during sex, can be defined as consistently ejaculating before you want to, and with very little sexual stimulation. It can be a source of frustration for the person experiencing it and the partner they're trying to enjoy intimacy with.
The squeeze technique is supposed to help you enter your partner or self-stimulate without ejaculating. Over time and practice, it is thought that your body will learn to delay ejaculation by recognizing the sensation that comes right before it, and also (hopefully) without the help of you squeezing the tip of your penis. The technique helps men "improve their control during sexual intercourse," explained Dr. Surakshith Battina, a specialist in reproductive medicine, endoscopic surgery, and cosmetic gynecology (via YouTube). Now, for the all-important question: Does the pause and squeeze method come with side effects?
Are there side effects to this method of delaying ejaculation?
While the squeeze technique can cause discomfort in some, science hasn't uncovered any major side effects attached to pausing ejaculation. It can, however, be a source of frustration for you and your partner, because it involves stopping your orgasm sensation and restarting stimulation. This can be a cumbersome and long process that kills the mood in the bedroom. If you're going to try the squeeze technique during partnered sexual activity, it is important that your partner knows about it. If they're willing, they can even help by squeezing the tip of your penis themself.
Your own self-control can get in the way of the effectiveness of the method, too. After all, premature ejaculation can be caused by a host of different psychological, biological, and behavioral factors. Depression, stress, performance anxiety, and relational issues — along with physical concerns like hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, and prostate problems — can all lead to premature ejaculation. Low levels of serotonin or dopamine, a highly sensitive penis, and frequent masturbation can also cause PE.
If premature ejaculation is getting in the way of your sex life, try this technique at home to see if it helps; failing that, there are other courses of action you can take. Counseling to tackle mental health concerns, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), topical numbing gels, and even wearing condoms could help. You may also want to speak with your healthcare provider to see if any underlying health concerns are causing the problem.