In short
Practised techniques, pelvic floor training, treating erection worries and, for some men, medicine. Most men can improve with one or a combination.
On this page
Lasting longer comes down to a few things that have evidence behind them: techniques you practise, treating anything that’s adding to the problem, and in some cases medicine. Most men who finish sooner than they’d like can improve with one or a combination of these.
First, what’s normal?
In a study of 500 couples across five countries, the middle result for intercourse was about five and a half minutes, and the range was very wide. If you’re comparing yourself to pornography, you’re comparing yourself to editing. See how long should sex last.
Techniques that work
- Stop-start. Build up to the point just before you’d finish, stop all stimulation until the urge drops, then start again. Practise alone first, then with a partner. It teaches you to recognise the point of no return earlier.
- Squeeze. As above, but at the pause you or your partner squeeze the head of the penis for a few seconds.
- Pelvic floor training. Stronger pelvic floor muscles give some men more control. See pelvic floor exercises for men.
- Slow down the build-up. Changing position, pace or activity when arousal climbs too fast spreads it out.
Want to talk it through in private?
An Australian GP can work out what’s going on and go through what helps, by phone or video.
Things that make it worse
- Erection worries. Men who are afraid of losing an erection often rush. Treating the erection problem can fix the timing.
- Anxiety. Performance anxiety feeds itself. Each bad experience makes the next more likely.
- Long gaps between sex.
- Some health problems. An overactive thyroid and prostate inflammation can both bring it on.
Products from the pharmacy
Thicker condoms reduce sensation a little. Numbing sprays and creams applied to the penis before sex reduce it more, and have trial evidence. Use a condom or wash it off before sex, or your partner will go numb as well.
When it’s worth seeing a GP
If you nearly always finish within a minute or two, can’t delay it, and it bothers you or your partner, that fits the medical definition of premature ejaculation, and there are prescription treatments. A GP can also check for the causes above. Our guide to premature ejaculation treatment in Australia covers them.
What doesn’t work
Thinking about something else mostly makes sex less enjoyable without changing the timing much. Supplements sold for “stamina” have no good evidence, and some have been found to contain undeclared prescription medicines.
Next step: talk to a GP
Request an appointment and we’ll be in touch to arrange a time. A consultation doesn’t guarantee a prescription.
References
- Waldinger MD, et al. A multinational population survey of intravaginal ejaculation latency time. Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2005.
- International Society for Sexual Medicine: Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of premature ejaculation
- Healthy Male: Premature ejaculation
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t replace a consultation with a doctor who knows your history. In an emergency, call 000.