Lasting Longer

The squeeze technique.

A small physical add-on to stop-start, popularized in 1970. Useful in the early weeks of training.

Published 2026-05-01Last reviewed 2026-05-045 min read

The squeeze adds a quick physical pause to stop-start. It cuts the urge to finish more sharply than stopping alone.

Most men use it for the first 4 to 6 weeks of training, then drop it.

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1970
Year Masters and Johnson published the method
3 to 5
Seconds is the typical hold. Longer is not better.
Week 6
Most men no longer need the squeeze by this point

Sources at the bottom.

When the squeeze helps

The squeeze is for the early stage when stop-start by itself is not interrupting your pattern cleanly. It is not meant to be a forever thing.

If you are doing stop-start and finishing during practice, add the squeeze. If stop-start alone is working, you do not need it.

How to do it

You can do this on yourself, or your partner can. Both work.

01

Position the fingers

Thumb on the underside of the head, where the head meets the shaft. Index and middle finger on top.

02

Apply firm pressure for 3 to 5 seconds

Firm enough to clearly feel it. Not painful.

03

Wait, then resume

After releasing, wait 30 seconds for arousal to drop. Then start again.

04

Use it with stop-start

Two or three squeeze rounds per session is plenty.

What the research describes

What we know from research

Newer research finds the squeeze adds a small but real benefit on top of stop-start, especially in the first weeks of training. After that, the benefit shrinks because most men have learned the timing.

Common questions

If you are getting stuck, here is what usually goes wrong.

01

It hurts

You are squeezing too hard or in the wrong place. Lighter pressure, on the head and not the shaft.

02

It dulls sensation

You are holding too long. 3 to 5 seconds.

03

It is not stopping the urge

Your timing is late. Squeeze earlier, when you feel arousal hit 7, not 9.

04

It is awkward with my partner

Some couples skip it and stick with stop-start. Either is fine.

Common questions

Can my partner do the squeeze?
Yes. The original Masters and Johnson protocol used partner-led squeeze.
Is it safe?
At light pressure, for 3 to 5 seconds, yes. Stop if anything feels off.
Can I use it on its own without stop-start?
You can, but you will be missing most of the benefit.
How long should I keep using it?
Most men drop it after 4 to 6 weeks.

Sources

  1. Masters WH and Johnson VE. Human Sexual Inadequacy. 1970.
  2. Cooper K et al. Behavioral therapies for premature ejaculation. Sex Med Rev, 2015.