What is Edging and How Do You Do it?

August 26, 2024

4 min

For some people, the goal of sex is to reach an orgasm as quickly as possible. However, this doesn’t have to be the case for you. Edging is a technique used to prolong sexual pleasure — which may be more of a turn-on than reaching orgasm quickly! Plus, it can even maximize your eventual climax. 

What Does Edging Mean?

Edging is a sexual technique that consists of extending the time it takes to orgasm. It can be practiced by bringing yourself or your partner close to orgasm and then stopping right before experiencing it. The goal of edging is to build up a lot of sexual tension and excitement to create a more powerful release. This enhances the already very satisfying and pleasurable feelings of the orgasm for an even more intense sensation. 

In short, edging is all about prolonging the experience and maximizing the eventual orgasm. 

Benefits of Edging

Intensifies your orgasm

Orgasms are caused by the build-up of tension in the genitals. The goal of edging is to extend the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle — the period of sexual excitement before orgasm. When you extend your pre-orgasm phase, you feel like you are “on the edge of orgasm.” This builds tension, anticipation, and a more intense pleasure.  

Makes you last longer

By delaying orgasm, you are delaying ejaculation and making sexual activity last longer. Studies have shown that edging can prevent premature ejaculation and increase sexual stamina, boosting your confidence in bed.

The start-stop method specifically— which involves stimulating the penis just before the orgasm until the urge to ejaculate goes away — teaches you how to control the level of arousal and delay ejaculation.

However, most of these studies took place during sex therapy sessions that also addressed other issues like self-doubt and relationship conflicts. While research suggests this form of edging as a treatment for premature ejaculation, it’s not known if it could treat sexual dysfunction by itself. Regardless, results are still promising.

Increases your body awareness 

Edging can encourage you to learn more about your body. By practicing edging, you practice the patterns of sexual responsiveness and how to be in charge of them. It also removes the pressure of orgasm and lets you see what works for you in bed and what doesn’t.

Brings more excitement to the bedroom

Rather than rushing things, edging slows you down and increases the time you put on being intimate with your partner.

Common Challenges and Risks of Edging

Edging is safe and unlikely to cause lasting side effects. However, it is possible that it could cause epididymal hypertension — also known as “blue balls.” This temporary, uncomfortable feeling happens when blood builds up in the testes because of the long period of being aroused. Epididymal hypertension is not harmful and does not need medical treatment, as it’s known to pass on its own. 

While edging isn’t harmful, it does come with a few challenges. Here are some of the difficulties you may experience, along with tips to overcome them.

Difficulty identifying the “edge” 

One common challenge with edging is failing to recognize the precise moment before climax, known as “the edge.” Recognizing “the edge” can be tricky, especially for beginners, as it requires a deep awareness of your body's signals. Misjudging the edge may lead to premature ejaculation or unintentional orgasm. To avoid this:

• Learn to recognize the subtle cues your body gives as you approach the edge. 

• Practice deep breathing so you can stay calm and maintain control over your arousal levels.

• If you feel you're too close to climaxing, pause and shift your focus to other parts of your body to reduce stimulation.

Potential discomfort, overstimulation, or frustration

Edging can sometimes lead to physical discomfort or overstimulation, particularly if you edge for too long or too frequently. This may cause soreness, irritation, or a feeling of being overwhelmed. Additionally, if you can't reach the edge repeatedly, it can result in sexual frustration. 

If edging consistently leads to discomfort, pain, or emotional distress, it may be a sign to stop and reconsider it. 

If you experience persistent issues like difficulty ejaculating or significant pain, make sure to consult a healthcare professional. They can help determine if there’s an underlying condition that needs to be addressed.

How to Edge Yourself

Edging can be practiced with a partner or by yourself. It’s beneficial to begin by trying on your own, so you can better understand your physical responses and mental state before experiencing edging with a partner. If you masturbate daily, you can try to incorporate edging into your masturbation routine a few times a week. 

Start by initiating arousal

Focus on your sexual excitement and activities that arouse you.

Identify reaching the “edge”

Many men feel these sensations when they’re at the point of “no return:”

• Breathing becomes fast and shallow

• Your heart rate increases

• The body tenses (especially in your pelvic muscles)

• You need more stimulation

• You feel an intense need to come

• All your attention is focused on your genitals

Control the arousal

To stop yourself from reaching this point, you may need to squeeze your pelvic floor muscles tightly. Eventually, you will build strength to stop yourself from reaching the climax. You can also practice techniques such as deep breathing, shifting focus, or changing stimulation methods to pull back from the edge.

Edging in Relationships

How to practice edging with a partner

If you want to practice edging with your partner, you should both agree on what you’re comfortable with before you begin. Having an open dialogue with your partner about the technique is the first step to experimenting in bed. You may want to ask some of the following questions:

• “What are your boundaries?”

• “How do you feel about experimenting?”

• “What are your goals with edging?”

• “How will we communicate during edging?”

• “What are our safe words or signals?”

After learning what you and your partner are comfortable with and what your goals are, you can set the right environment for foreplay. Edging with your partner can involve hands, your mouth, and/or toys. You can experiment with changing positions or intensity when you’re close to “the edge” to delay orgasm. This adjustment can give a few seconds of a natural pause in stimulation and then let you regain control.

Benefits of edging with your partner

Edging can help you be more intentional in bed. By practicing edging, you not only learn to control your orgasm with your partner but also discover what you both respond to best — whether it's certain touches, techniques, or positions. This deepens your understanding of your partner and builds a new layer of intimacy between you.

Are There Other Ways to Increase Sexual Stamina?

Edging can be used to prolong erections, and it can potentially improve sexual performance by increasing control over ejaculation and reducing anxiety related to sexual performance. 

While it may potentially help treat premature ejaculation, it may not be a cure by itself. 

Fortunately, there are other treatments for premature ejaculation — including prescription medications like sertraline — which can help you extend the duration of your sexual activity. 

PDE5 inhibitors — like Viagra and Cialis – are commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis. This can help you achieve and maintain an erection, enhancing the sexual experience for both you and your partner.

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