The one thing that bothers most men, apart from penis size, is how long he can last in bed. Early ejaculation has become one of those hilarious punchlines we like to kid about — but if it happens too often, it could end up affecting your sex life.
Not only is it demoralizing for him when he orgasms too early, it's no fun for the ladies – finishing first often means he leaves you unsatisfied. Though he might not intend to be 'selfish', one too many unhappy endings tend to put strain on your marriage.
The good news is you're not alone: premature ejaculation affects one in five men in Singapore. Though your husband might not meet expert criteria for a premature ejaculation sufferer (for instance, ejaculating within a minute of penetration), both of you might still feel that your sex life would improve if only he lasted longer.
If so, men, here are some clinically-proven ways you can boost your sexual endurance:
1) Change your diet
Certain foods, such as fenugreek, are able to boost the amount of free testosterone in the body, according to Dr. Philip Werthman, urologist and director of the Los Angeles Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Vasectomy Reversal. Free testosterone is key to healthy erectile function.
If you'd rather not use supplements, consuming such foods can be an organic solution to enhancing your stamina in bed. Other testosterone-boosting foods include egg yolks, tuna, and shellfish.
2) Pelvic exercises
If you hit the gym regularly, it's time to make pelvic exercises a part of your workout. Squeezing the pubococcygeus muscle, or PC muscle for short, helps stimulate blood flow to the penis, according to certified clinical sexologist Dr Patti Britton.
To find your PC muscle, try stopping your urine flow while you're peeing. Clench this muscle for 10 seconds, then release and repeat for 3 sets of 15 reps per day.
3) Practise the "squeeze technique"
Dr Britton also recommends adding the "squeeze technique" to your bedroom repertoire. “There are three areas of the penis where squeezing or applying pressure can help a man sustain or maintain an erection," she tells Men's Fitness.
To squeeze the first area, make a tight ring with your index finger and thumb round the base of your erection. The second area can be reached by pressing on the underside of the head, which is packed with nerves. The third area is your perineum, the spot between the anus and scrotum — pressing this area helps to hold back your ejaculate flow.
Ladies, you can also help your husband find these sweet spots!
4) Use a delay spray
Simply put, delay sprays temporarily make your penis nerves less sensitive. Now, we know what you're thinking: numbing your penis doesn't sound like the key to a good time. But clinical tests have shown that delay sprays help men with premature ejaculation last up to six times longer.
And no, this doesn't need to come at the expense of pleasure — you can still enjoy sensations and have a satisfying finish. In another clinical trial of delay spray Promescent, 72% of men agreed it had an overall positive impact on their sex lives.
5) Have more sex
We saved the best for the last (by the end of this article, you should be able to do the same). Yes, the key to better sex may simply be to have more sex.
Men who suffer from premature ejaculation often need lots of practice, according to Larry Gassner, M.D. The cause of early ejaculation is often performance anxiety, which can be overcome by becoming more in tune with each other.
These nightly romps will also give you the chance to practise deep breathing and training your mind to stave off orgasm. Ladies, just enjoy this extra fun time!
ALSO READ: 5 best sex positions for sneaking a quickie