How To Last Longer In Bed: 15 Methods To Try

Finishing too soon in bed, also known as ‘early climax’ or ‘premature ejaculation’ (PE) is a common sexual health concern. In fact, it’s estimated to impact as many as 1 in 3 men who are sexually active. [1]

But first, it’s helpful to understand the average lasting time for men (medically known as intravaginal ejaculation latency time or IELT), because you might be overestimating it. One international study found that men last between 5-7 minutes, with the average being 5.4 minutes. Another suggested that 97.5% of men last longer than about 1.5 minutes. [2]

Looking to last longer in bed? Here are some steps to try that can help you to understand ejaculation control, and improve your sexual stamina.

Article Summary:

• Premature ejaculation, also called early climax, is a common sexual health concern. It’s when you ejaculate sooner than you or your partner would like.
• There are many ways to last longer in bed, including topical treatments, oral medications, pelvic floor exercises and self-help techniques.
• Both your physical and mental health can impact how long you last during sex, so lifestyle habits, counselling and exercise can help too.

Topical treatments

Anaesthetic creams

Numbing creams, sometimes known as desensitising creams, have a mild anaesthetic effect, which can help reduce sensitivity in the penis. This can help delay climax by decreasing the amount of sensation experienced during sexual activity. Ask your doctor to recommend a suitable cream or topical numbing agent, for example one that contains the anaesthetics lidocaine or prilocaine. [3]

Anaesthetic sprays

Like anaesthetic creams, 'delay sprays' can be used to give a mild numbing sensation to the penis, and may be more practical for some people. [4]

Oral treatments

Priligy (dapoxetine)

Priligy is the only medication in the UK prescribed specifically to treat premature ejaculation.

It contains dapoxetine, a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (better known as an SSRI). This medication works on brain chemicals that affect climax, and can help delay ejaculation by up to three times. [5]

Dapoxetine belongs to a group of medications often used to treat depression. But in Priligy, it is used for a different reason. Unlike medications for depression that are taken every day, Priligy is taken only when needed, around 1-3 hours before sex.

At MedExpress, we prescribe Priligy for premature ejaculation with no in-person appointment needed.

Sertraline

Some other medications used for depression, such as sertraline, may also be used to treat PE. This is called off-label use, which means the medication is being used for a reason it was not originally made for. [6]

Sertraline is not made specifically for premature ejaculation like Priligy. But, it may help some men last longer during sex, sometimes up to 7x longer. [7] To find out more about taking sertraline for PE, it’s best to contact your GP.

Viagra (sildenafil)

Viagra (sildenafil) is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis, which can help you achieve and maintain an erection.

Viagra is available in 3 strengths, and no matter which one you take, the effects of Viagra usually last for around 4-6 hours after you’ve taken it.

Although it’s not specifically used to delay ejaculation, research has found that it may also help with premature ejaculation. [8] This may be because it improves erectile function and helps some people feel more confident during sex. [9]

Want to know more? Read our guide for taking Viagra for the first time here.

Cialis (tadalafil)

Cialis is a medication to treat erectile dysfunction. It helps you get and keep an erection by increasing blood flow to the penis when you're sexually aroused. Cialis is available in two forms. You can take a small dose every day, or take it only when needed (at least 30 minutes before sex).

Cialis takes less time to work than Viagra, though they're both fast-acting treatments. You can compare Viagra and Cialis here to find the right one for you with our expert guide.

Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

If you believe your premature ejaculation could be triggered by psychological factors like stress, anxiety, or relationship issues, you could benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). [10]

CBT helps you understand how your thoughts and feelings affect your behaviour. To find out what support is available in your local area, contact your GP.

Psychosexual therapy

Sometimes, PE may be linked to problems within a relationship or past sexual experiences.

Psychosexual therapy is a type of talking therapy that helps you explore these issues in a safe and supportive way. [11] To find out what support is available in your local area, contact your GP.

Manual exercises

Pelvic floor exercises

Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, can improve sexual health by strengthening the muscles that help control urine flow, ejaculation and healthy erections. [12] To do these exercises, tighten the muscles you use to stop urinating. Hold for 3 to 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat up to 10 times. Try this every few days. [13]

Squeeze technique

One manual method you can try to delay ejaculation is the ‘pause-squeeze’ technique. To do this, gently squeeze the head of the penis for 10-20 seconds when you feel close to climax. You can repeat this during sex if needed. [14]

Stop-start technique

More commonly known as ‘edging’ ,the stop-start method is another manual method to help control ejaculation. Long-term results are inconclusive, but one study reported that 45 to 65 percent of men noticed short-term improvements. [15]

To use this technique, stop all movement before reaching climax, and continue once the feeling has passed. Like the squeeze technique, you can repeat this method during sex to prolong the length of time before ejaculation.

Other options

Healthy diet and weight

One of the physical factors that can affect your sexual performance is your overall health.

Maintaining a healthy diet and weight can help in delaying ejaculation by improving your overall sexual health. A balanced, nutrient-rich diet supports healthy blood circulation, hormone regulation, and energy levels, all of which contribute to better sexual performance.

Living with obesity or being overweight can contribute to conditions such as erectile dysfunction and high blood pressure, which can impact sexual stamina. Regular physical activity can also improve your heart health, endurance, and confidence, helping you last longer in bed.

Masturbation before sex

Masturbating prior to sex may help delay ejaculation, due to a factor named the ‘refractory period’. This is a period of time that occurs after ejaculation where arousal levels are naturally reduced, making premature ejaculation less likely. [16]

It’s important to note that the refractory period can last anywhere between a few minutes to a day depending on factors including hormones, age and physical health, so you may wish to experiment with this method first to find which time frame works best for you.

A technique known as penis-root masturbation can also help. This is where you stimulate the base of the penis until you're ready to ejaculate, then stopping at the last minute. This can help to increase how long you last during penetrative sex. Place both thumbs near the base of your penis and rub in a circular motion or up and down, then stop just as you're about to reach climax. [17]

Try different positions

Changing position during intercourse, or choosing positions that provide less direct stimulation, could help lower arousal and delay ejaculation. Changing positions also engages different muscle groups, which can divert attention away from the urge to climax. [18]

Wear a condom

Condoms can reduce sensitivity of the penis through a physical barrier effect, which may help delay ejaculation so you last longer. You can even buy specially designed condoms which contain numbing agents or use a thicker latex to help you maximise your performance.

Next steps

Struggling with premature ejaculation, or other sexual health issues such as erectile dysfunction? Remember, there’s no such thing as normal. It’s up to you and your partner to decide the ideal length of time to enjoy sexual activity, but there are steps you can take to improve your performance.

Seek help if you almost always climax within about 1 minute of penetration and you feel you cannot control it, or if it's causing problems in your relationships. You should also speak to your healthcare provider if it’s something you’ve noticed after starting a new medication, or alongside a new health issue.

At MedExpress, you can complete an online consultation and receive the right medication directly to your door, with discreet delivery. To learn more and find out if you’re eligible, click here.

References

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3. Ali D, Shah S, Nadeem Bin Nusrat, Zafar N, Assad Ur Rehman. Topical Anesthetics and Premature Ejaculation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus. 2023 Aug 3;
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