This blog post will focus on all things edging. This post will put the penis in the spotlight and all information relates only to penises. We aren’t neglecting Vagina’s however, there will be a separate post for that coming soon!
All language used in this post is aimed not to convey any specific gender. If you find any of the language in this post to be outdated, please inform us so we can improve!
What is Edging?
Edging is typically described as the act of bringing oneself to the brink of orgasm, only to pull back and cause the orgasm to delay. This can be done by stroking oneself until you feel like you’re about to reach orgasm, only to either relax or forcibly prevent the orgasm from happening.
Edging is notably different from a delayed ejaculation – referred to as `anorgasmia` as Edging is a conscious effort to delay and prolong the act of sex/masturbation to provide pleasure.
How Does Edging Work?
A big part of edging comes from the excitement and control. As you continue to bring your penis to the brink of orgasm, only to pull back, it creates an intense desire – an electrifying need to climax.
Through stimulation of the penis (via traditional stroking or the use of sex toys), you can bring your body closer and closer until you get that feeling, the one that lets you know you’re about to experience true bliss. But not yet. Once that feeling starts to arise you have a choice – you can either remove all stimulation, immerse yourself in satisfaction as each twitch down below sends a twang of ecstasy throughout your body. Once the feeling has settled you can start from the begging, working yourself closer and closer to the breaking point where you can either deny yourself once more, or finally push through and revel in your explosive finish.
Pulling back and stopping, however, isn’t the only method of edging. For some, pulling back won’t work, it’s not enough to stop them from reaching orgasm. Some choose instead to pursue a more forceful approach to edging. Typically, this involves using a hand to apply pressure to either the base of the shaft or the head of the penis. This can create a slightly different experience, one where instead of that feeling slowly fading away it becomes intensified; within reach yet forced to disperse. This method creates a sudden stop, an instant feeling of pressure and tightness as the orgasm is forcibly made to retreat.
Edging can mistakenly be considered a solo activity, set exclusively for masturbation. This isn’t the case, however. Edging can be done during partnered sex just as easily as alone. Edging during partnered sex would involve the same process as if you were alone, except this time you have the option of having one of your partners to control the orgasm, trusting them to bring you to the edge only to pull you back.
Alternatively, you can apply these edging techniques during penetrative sex. Regardless of your preference, the principal is the same. Bring yourself to the edge and then take the time to stop and cool down.
Myths are Just That
The world of sex and masturbation is filled with myths ranging from truly out their claims such as “Masturbation will cause your hands to become super hairy” to the simply mis-informed (and dangerous) ones. Sex and masturbation, however, are both healthy & natural parts of life. Of course, they should be done in moderation, but that’s the same with any recreational activity there is.
So, let’s look at the myths surrounding edging, the number 1 being that it is harmful to the penis and body. Can edging be harmful to the penis? Yes. If done too often without any form of lubrication, the friction caused from masturbating a penis can lead to breaks in the skin. This isn’t really brought on by edging specifically, and more so is just a case of use lube and take breaks.
Is edging harmful to the body? Absolutely not. Edging poses no damage to the body whatsoever. There are myths out here claiming that edging can cause ejaculate to seep into other parts of the body, that preventing the orgasm sends it flowing back in and somewhere it shouldn’t. This is false and cannot happen from edging. However, this can happen due to underlying physical health conditions and is not caused by edging.
Edging is only a tool to increase the pleasure and experience felt from masturbation/penetrative sex. It is not only completely safe to do, but fun. And that’s what sex and masturbation should be – fun.
Are There any Benefits?
Believe it or not, but yes. Edging has been used as a way to help people who experience premature ejaculation.
Premature ejaculation is when a person with a penis is unable to control when they climax, often resulting in an orgasm happening almost immediately when engaging in masturbation or sex. Edging has been used to help people experiencing premature ejaculation to train their bodies to last longer.
Through edging, the body is gradually able to last longer and longer before reaching an orgasm – much like with more standard masturbation, the more often you do it the longer it takes to finish. This is the overall premise with edging, except in one session your assisting your body to have a little more restraint.
In general edging can be a useful if you’re looking to prolong your sessions and last longer during penetrative sex. Edging also provides a healthy release and feels great. Of course, edging just won’t be for some people. Sex and masturbation are unique to each individual and what works for some won’t work for others. The best way to find what gets you going is to experiment and try different things.
There are more ways to practice edging and we recommend these articles to put your mind at ease and for useful tips on the different methods common in the world of edging.
These articles from Healthline offer a deeper more medical look towards the effects of edging, whether it can be bad for you, and different methods to practice edging.
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