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How to Last Longer in Bed: 7 Natural Ways That Actually Work

SizeMatters Health Team8 min read

How to Last Longer in Bed: 7 Natural Ways That Actually Work

Premature ejaculation (PE) affects up to 30% of men at some point in their lives, making it one of the most common sexual concerns. If you're looking for natural ways to last longer in bed, you're not alone—and more importantly, there are evidence-based techniques that can help you improve control and stamina without medications or devices.

Understanding Premature Ejaculation

Before diving into solutions, it's important to understand what we're addressing. Premature ejaculation is typically defined as ejaculating within one minute of penetration, or before you or your partner desires. However, many men who last longer than this still want to improve their stamina and control.

The good news: sexual stamina is trainable. Just like building muscle at the gym, improving bedroom performance requires consistent practice with the right techniques.

Why Natural Methods Work

Unlike temporary solutions like numbing creams or medications, natural approaches address the root causes of premature ejaculation:

  • Weak pelvic floor muscles that can't control ejaculatory reflex
  • Poor arousal awareness and inability to recognize the "point of no return"
  • Performance anxiety that triggers early climax
  • Improper breathing patterns that increase arousal speed
  • Lack of physical conditioning affecting overall stamina

By addressing these underlying factors, you can develop lasting improvements rather than depending on quick fixes.

7 Science-Backed Natural Ways to Last Longer

1. Master Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegels)

The Science: Your pelvic floor muscles control ejaculation. A 2014 study published in Therapeutic Advances in Urology found that 82.5% of men with lifelong premature ejaculation gained better control after 12 weeks of pelvic floor training.

How to Do It:

  1. Identify your pelvic floor muscles (the ones you use to stop urination mid-stream)
  2. Contract these muscles for 5 seconds, then relax for 5 seconds
  3. Perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions daily
  4. Practice both quick contractions and longer holds
  5. Advanced: Practice contracting during arousal to delay ejaculation

Timeline: Most men notice improvements within 4-6 weeks of consistent practice.

2. The Start-Stop Technique

The Science: Developed by sex therapists Masters and Johnson in the 1970s, this behavioral technique helps you recognize and control arousal levels.

How to Practice:

  1. During solo or partnered sex, stimulate until you feel close to ejaculation
  2. Stop all movement and focus on breathing
  3. Wait 30-60 seconds until arousal decreases
  4. Resume stimulation
  5. Repeat 3-4 times before allowing ejaculation

Why It Works: You're training your body to recognize arousal levels and maintain control at higher intensities.

3. Strategic Breathing for Control

The Science: Rapid, shallow breathing activates the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight), which triggers faster ejaculation. Slow, deep breathing activates the parasympathetic system, promoting control.

The Technique:

  • Practice 4-7-8 breathing: Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7, exhale for 8
  • Breathe deeply into your belly, not your chest
  • During sex, maintain slow, controlled breathing
  • If you feel close to climax, pause and take 3-5 deep breaths

Pro Tip: Practice this breathing technique daily, not just during sex. Your body will learn to associate deep breathing with relaxation and control.

4. Strengthen Your PC Muscle (The "Sexual Muscle")

The Distinction: While similar to general pelvic floor exercises, targeting the pubococcygeus (PC) muscle specifically can give you direct control over ejaculation.

Advanced Training:

  • During arousal, practice contracting your PC muscle to push back against ejaculation
  • Hold the contraction for 10-15 seconds when you feel close to climax
  • Gradually increase the strength of these contractions over weeks
  • Some men can eventually prevent ejaculation entirely using this technique

Research: Studies show men with stronger PC muscles have significantly better ejaculatory control.

5. The Squeeze Technique

The Method: When you feel close to ejaculation:

  1. Stop all sexual activity
  2. You or your partner gently squeezes the head of the penis (where the head meets the shaft)
  3. Hold for several seconds until the urge to ejaculate passes
  4. Resume after 30 seconds

Clinical Backing: This technique is recommended by the Mayo Clinic and sex therapists worldwide as a proven PE treatment.

6. Improve Overall Physical Fitness

The Connection: General fitness directly impacts sexual stamina:

  • Cardiovascular health improves blood flow and endurance
  • Core strength supports pelvic floor function
  • Flexibility reduces performance anxiety
  • Regular exercise reduces stress hormones

Best Exercises for Sexual Stamina:

  • Running or cycling (20-30 minutes, 3x weekly)
  • Planks and core work
  • Squats (strengthen pelvic floor indirectly)
  • Yoga (combines breathing, flexibility, and mindfulness)

Study: Research in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found men who exercise regularly report better sexual function and stamina.

7. Practice Mindfulness and Arousal Awareness

The Problem: Many men climax quickly because they're not paying attention to their arousal levels until it's too late.

The Solution:

  • Rate your arousal on a 1-10 scale during sex
  • Keep yourself between 6-8 (the "sweet spot")
  • When you hit 8, slow down or stop briefly
  • Focus on your partner's pleasure, which naturally slows your arousal
  • Practice non-penetrative activities to build arousal tolerance

Mindfulness Practice: Spend 10 minutes daily focusing on physical sensations without judgment. This trains the awareness you'll use during sex.

Common Mistakes That Reduce Stamina

❌ Thinking About Baseball: Mentally distracting yourself disconnects you from the experience and doesn't build real control. Focus on awareness instead.

❌ Relying Only on Condoms: While thicker condoms can reduce sensation, they're a temporary fix that doesn't improve your actual stamina.

❌ Rushing Through Exercises: Kegel exercises done incorrectly or inconsistently won't produce results. Quality and consistency matter more than quantity.

❌ Skipping Foreplay: Starting sex at a 7/10 arousal makes control much harder. Build up slowly.

❌ Avoiding the Issue: Premature ejaculation often worsens with anxiety. Addressing it proactively reduces both the physical and psychological components.

Creating Your Lasting Longer Training Plan

Week 1-2: Foundation

  • Start daily Kegel exercises (3 sets of 10)
  • Practice 4-7-8 breathing for 5 minutes daily
  • Begin identifying your arousal levels during solo sex

Week 3-4: Skill Building

  • Add start-stop technique during solo practice
  • Increase Kegel difficulty (longer holds, more reps)
  • Practice PC muscle contractions during arousal

Week 5-8: Integration

  • Apply techniques with a partner
  • Combine breathing + muscle control during sex
  • Gradually increase stamina goals

Week 9-12: Mastery

  • Maintain control at higher arousal levels
  • Extend duration naturally without thinking about techniques
  • Continue exercises for maintenance

When to Consider Professional Help

Natural methods work for most men, but consider seeing a sexual health specialist if:

  • You experience premature ejaculation on nearly every sexual encounter
  • The issue causes significant relationship distress
  • You haven't seen improvement after 3 months of consistent practice
  • You suspect underlying medical conditions (prostate issues, hormone imbalances)

The Bottom Line

Improving sexual stamina through natural ways to last longer in bed is entirely achievable with the right approach. The key is consistency—these techniques work because they create lasting physiological and psychological changes, not because they're quick fixes.

Most men see noticeable improvements within 4-6 weeks, with continued progress over 3 months of practice. Remember: sexual performance is a skill that improves with training, just like any other physical ability.

Ready to start your training? The SizeMatters app provides guided pelvic floor exercises, progress tracking, and personalized stamina training programs—all based on the techniques covered here. Download the app to get started with science-backed PE training today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to see results from natural PE treatments?

Most men notice initial improvements within 4-6 weeks of consistent daily practice. Significant, lasting changes typically occur after 8-12 weeks. The key is daily practice—sporadic efforts won't produce reliable results.

Can pelvic floor exercises really help with premature ejaculation?

Yes. Clinical studies show 75-80% of men with PE gain better control through pelvic floor training. These muscles directly control the ejaculatory reflex, so strengthening them gives you literal physical control over timing.

Are there foods that help you last longer naturally?

While no food is a magic bullet, certain nutrients support sexual health: zinc (oysters, nuts), L-arginine (meat, dairy), and omega-3s (fish) improve blood flow and hormone production. A balanced diet supporting overall health indirectly benefits stamina.

What's the difference between the start-stop and squeeze techniques?

Both delay ejaculation, but start-stop simply pauses stimulation until arousal decreases, while the squeeze technique applies physical pressure to the penis head to reduce the ejaculatory reflex. Many men find combining both techniques most effective.

Will these techniques work for everyone?

Natural methods are effective for 70-80% of men with PE when practiced consistently. Those with severe lifelong PE, underlying medical conditions, or significant psychological factors may need professional treatment combining behavioral therapy with medical approaches.


This article is for educational purposes. Individual results may vary. Consult a healthcare provider for persistent sexual health concerns.

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