Learn How to Increase Your Sexual Stamina
Just how important is sexual stamina? Pretty vital. According to a recent study, women are less satisfied when dating men with sexual dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, sexual performance anxiety and low libido (i.e. sex drive) are all common problems that can interfere with a man’s stamina.
Just how common are these issues? Research tells us that almost a third (31%) of men have experienced a sexual disorder at some point of their lives.
In this article, we cover some practical, evidence-based pointers to naturally improve your sexual stamina.
14 ways to naturally improve your sexual stamina
Read on for fourteen tips that can help you develop a more fulfilling sex life.
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Manage performance anxiety
Sexual performance anxiety can lead to erection issues and premature ejaculation. Often, the anxiety is triggered if a man is concerned about his penis size or his ability to satisfy his partner.
Performance anxiety creates a burst of hormones and brain chemicals that hijack the communication pathway between your sex organs and brain. Therefore, anxiety makes it difficult for you to get an erection and to control ejaculation.
How can you address this problem? One effective way of stopping this cycle is to speak to your partner about your performance anxiety. It’s really nothing to be ashamed of. By having an honest conversation, you’re likely to ease-off the pressure and create a sexual setting that feels safer. Guided imagery, mindfulness, sensate focus and congenital behavioral therapy are also effective treatment options. Otherwise, you may want to seek professional help from a psychologist or sex therapist.
To learn more about erectile dysfunction and performance anxiety read this article we wrote on the topic.
If performance anxiety is causing premature ejaculation, read this article instead.
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Reduce stress
Reducing stress can improve your sexual health and stamina in the bedroom. Bills. Your boss. The mortgage. Children. Your mother in law. Relationship problems. Grief. Divorce. Illness. Sexual Dysfunction. While stress in manageable doses can be healthy, it can also lead to a whole host of issues when it’s not properly controlled.
When it comes to the bedroom, sex and stress do not go well together. Research has shown that people with higher stress levels are more likely to experience sexual issues. As with performance anxiety, chronic stress can lead to changes in brain activity that can lower your sex drive and lead to issues such as stress-induced erectile dysfunction, anorgasmia and premature ejaculation.
Fortunately, stress can be managed. Mindfulness meditation is a popular option; yoga is another great stress-buster – as is any other form of exercise that gets your heart pumping.
If you want to learn more about the link between stress and erectile dysfunction, take a look at our article on the topic.
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Try the stop-start method and the squeeze technique
The Stop-Start Method and the Squeeze Technique are two evidence based behavioral strategies that sex therapists use to help men improve ejaculatory control. These exercises can be done alone or with a partner.
The stop-start method involves masturbating up until the point of orgasm then stopping at the last minute. The process should be repeated several times before ejaculation. The “squeeze” technique is similar but involves firmly squeezing the underside of the penis, where the head joins the shaft, in order to stop the orgasm.
Both techniques work by training you to recognize the bodily signals that are sent out during sex. Improved awareness equals greater sexual control.
While these techniques have the potential to help any man last longer in bed, those who have full blown premature ejaculation may require a bit of additional support and professional guidance. The solution might not be as simple as just reading an article on a men’s health magazine. A personal treatment protocol may be required, as well as guidance on when and how to move between the different exercises.
If you’d like to know more about lasting longer in bed, you are in luck because we offer a free course on this very topic, entitled, “The Last Longer in Bed Toolbox.”
Discover everything there is to know about lasting longer in bed and about premature ejaculation:
Free Course! The Last Longer in Bed Toolbox
- Debunk the most common myths about lasting longer
- Learn the tools and techniques that really work!
- Learn how performance anxiety can make you lose control
- Find out how to diagnose and stop premature ejaculation
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Reduce alcohol consumption
What does the data say about alcohol use and sexual stamina? One study from 2007 showed that heavy alcohol use predicts erectile dysfunction. Additionally, this recent study showed that chronic alcohol use is linked to lowered libido and premature ejaculation.
Why does alcohol have such a negative impact on peoples’ sex lives? We don’t yet know for sure. But, scientists believe that alcohol changes the levels of certain hormones (including testosterone), which can lead to sexual difficulties.
If you want to increase your sexual stamina, you should reduce your alcohol intake.
If you feel like you need some support, speak to a therapist near you or visit this page for some helpful resources. Keep in mind that stopping alcohol suddenly can be medically dangerous. If you have been drinking heavily for a long time, speak to a doctor about getting help detoxing.
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Exercise
Keeping physically fit can help your sexual functioning. Why? In order to get an erection we need a healthy supply of blood-flow to the penis. Anything that improves blood-flow can help prevent erectile dysfunction.
By exercising for at least half an hour, three or four times each week, you stand to benefit from improved blood flow and a healthier sex life. You don’t need to be running marathons either: a recent study showed that even a brisk walk is sufficient to improve erectile function.
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Quit smoking
We now know that smoking cigarettes can lead to a whole range of nasty health outcomes, including erectile dysfunction. Cigarettes can cause vascular damage. This can affect your sexual stamina due to reduced blood flow to the penis.
In 2005, researchers published a paper showing that smoking can lead to erectile dysfunction in men of any age – but especially in younger men. Research also shows that heavier smokers are more prone to sexual dysfunction generally.
Quitting smoking can improve your sex life and overall life satisfaction. If possible, try to wean yourself off cigarettes, rather than going cold-turkey. This can help lessen the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. For more information and resources on stopping smoking, visit this page.
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Practice healthy masturbation
Bad masturbation habits can potentially put you at risk of developing premature ejaculation. How? Many people tend to masturbate quickly, in order to have an orgasm and be done with it. Often, this happens when people are ashamed or are nervous about being walked-in on.
The problem, however, is that rushing the process trains the brain and body to ejaculate as quickly as possible. With time, ejaculating quickly becomes a fixed habit. This may happen not just during masturbation, but with a partner as well.
Therefore, you should practice healthy masturbation by slowing the process down!
For a more comprehensive guide to healthy masturbation habits, click here to read my detailed article on the topic.
To learn more about how to treat premature ejaculation, read this article.
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Eat healthy
When it comes to maintaining sexual stamina, what you eat plays an important role. Heart-health is what you want to aim for. So, what should you be eating?
One study showed that eating a Mediterranean diet might improve erectile function. The Mediterranean diet involves large quantities of vegetables, fruit, legumes, grains and bread. It also includes healthy fats, such as extra virgin olive oil, seeds and nuts. Small quantities of protein such as cheese, poultry and seafood are also allowed; but people are advised to avoid processed meat, sugar and processed starch.
In addition, foods that are rich in zinc may improve erectile function by boosting testosterone levels. Crab meat, lobster, pine-nuts and eggs are all good sources of zinc. Also, be sure to get enough fruit. Fresh fruit contains flavonoids – compounds that research has linked to improved erectile function.
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Focus on foreplay
By investing in foreplay, you’re likely to lower levels of pressure and anxiety all round. Satisfying your partner before intercourse is highly reassuring. This makes it more likely that your sexual stamina will not be affected by premature ejaculation and/or erectile problems.
Research tells us that women take longer than men to become aroused and have an orgasm. Furthermore, research tells us that the majority of women can’t orgasm from penetration alone. Men who try to satisfy their partner in this way are setting themselves up to fail.
Foreplay also shows your partner that you’re willing to prioritize her. So, by investing time in foreplay, you’re not only generating increased sexual satisfaction for all, but creating more connection and intimacy between you.
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Address relationship issues
If there’s a problem in the relationship, it’s likely to affect your sexual functioning. Research has shown a strong link between relationship problems and sexual disorders, including premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction and low libido.
Our sexual functioning is a wonderful indicator that helps gauge the overall health of a person’s relationship and emotions. When there is an underlying conflict in a relationship, this often spills over into your sex life. This is especially the case when the couple haven’t developed healthy communication patterns, which we discuss below.
To learn more about how to overcome relationship issues, visit the ‘relationship advice’ section on our website.
Are you dealing with premature ejaculation and relationship issues? To our Premium PE Program members, we offer email consultations with sex and relationship experts.
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Improve partner communication
To improve your sexual stamina, mental health and overall relationship satisfaction, it’s vital to communicate. Make a time to sit down and discuss the relationship. Agree to hear one-another out without interrupting or becoming defensive. Try to put yourself in your partner’s shoes and try to express yourself as clearly as possible.
Good communication is a skill that is essential to the healthy functioning of a relationship. If a couple is not communicating in a healthy way, conflicts tend to get brushed under the rug, leading to bitterness and resentment. This can impact, both indirectly and indirectly, on your sexual functioning.
If you’re feeling judged and unsafe in the relationship, for example, this may make it harder to get or maintain an erection. You may also find yourself ejaculating prematurely if the tension is too great.
This is not easy work and it is bound to bring up difficult emotions. If needed, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with seeing a therapist or relationship coach in order to learn to communicate in a healthier way.
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See a therapist
How can a therapist help improve your sexual stamina? Sexual health is very much dependent on emotional health. In the USA alone, 17.3 million adults were diagnosed with clinical depression in one year. 18.1% of Americans are thought to have a diagnosable anxiety disorder.
Both anxiety and depression affect brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine. For this reason, people with psychological disorders often experience sexual dysfunction. Speaking with a clinical psychologist can help you address any emotional difficulties that might be stopping you from living life to the fullest.
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Be more present
Do you ever feel like you’re rushing through life, without enough time to stop and smell the roses? Often, during sex, we can become so overstimulated by thoughts and feelings that we’re not able to fully enjoy the experience. Then, all of a sudden, it’s over!
If this sounds familiar, you need to learn to slow things down. Take your time and allow yourself to truly savor each and every aspect of the sexual encounter. Research shows that couples who are more present in the bedroom have more satisfying sex; and slowing things down in this way will likely improve your stamina at the same time.
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Don’t do drugs
A recent study found that illicit drug use can negatively affect men’s sexual stamina. Illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and heroin bring with them the potential for addiction, as well as a whole host of other health problems. However, kicking the habit can be incredibly challenging, especially if you have been using for a long time. Contact Narcotics Anonymous for guidance and support in stopping drugs.
When should I see a doctor?
If you are experiencing a sexual issue, it’s always a good idea to get checked out by a doctor. This is especially true when the onset of your problem is sudden. Why?
Sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction can serve as an early alarm system for an underlying heart condition. With early diagnosis and treatment, lives can be saved. But, even if your sex problem is psychological, seeing a doctor can help you rule out possible medical illnesses.
Sexual health for better quality of life
Sexual health is important for a person’s intimacy, self-esteem and overall wellbeing. Sexual problems that reduce sexual stamina can be a massive source of distress. In this article, we have covered twenty pointers that you can implement today, in order to improve your sexual stamina. If, however, you’re finding that these aren’t helping, seek out professional help and get the support that you deserve.
