Edging (sexual practice)

Orgasm control, also known as "edging", "peaking", "surfing", and by other terms, is a sexual technique involving either an active partner taking control over a passive partner's orgasm, or one person controlling their own orgasm in sexual intercourse or through masturbation. As it pertains to this page, the orgasm is controlled and held back for an extended period of time as near as possible to the orgasm itself, and then the person is finally allowed to experience the orgasm.

Called "slow masturbation" in Alex Comfort's The New Joy of Sex (1984)and "extended massive orgasm" in Vera and Steve Bodansky's 2000 book of the same name, it is similar to the Venus Butterfly technique used in the volume The One Hour Orgasm (1999) by Leah and Bob Schwartz. However, any method of stimulation--manual, oral, intercourse, or with sex toys--can be used by either a single person or by one or more active partners to prolong the sexual experience leading up to orgasm.

In a two-person exchange, a partner will stimulate the receiver, gradually bringing them up to the point high in the plateau phase where an orgasm is actually building, and will then reduce the level of stimulation just below that needed to trigger the orgasm. By carefully varying the intensity and speed of stimulation, and by practicing with the same partner to learn their responses, a person is held in the highly-aroused state near orgasm. This process may be repeated as desired, but at some point repetition may cause the urge to orgasm to become overwhelming. When a partner eventually provides enough stimulation to achieve an orgasm, it may be stronger than usual due to the increased tension and arousal that builds up during the extended stimulation.

Since orgasm control prolongs the experience of powerful sexual sensations occurring during the final build-up to orgasm, the physical demands of being kept or keeping oneself in this highly-excited state for an extended time can induce a pleasurable, almost euphoric state, and at times creates changes within an individual's perceived consciousness.

An aspect of familiarity

Orgasm control requires a degree of skill. It requires enough familiarity with either a partner or one's own responses to be able to vary the intensity and the timing of the stimulation accurately. If there is too little stimulation, or if it is reduced too soon, the experience is not as intense as it could have been. If there is too much stimulation or it goes on for too long, a person may pass the point of no return and the orgasm will inevitably occur.

Practiced by individuals

Because solo masturbation allows for precise control over the feelings, the timing, and the speed of stimulation, many people practice orgasmic control by themselves. One technique is where one will masturbate up until the moment before reaching the plateau phase just before orgasm occurs, and then stopping suddenly before experiencing a climax. Another technique is to slow down the stimulation while still in the plateau phase, and "surfing" that for an extended time. Repeating either of these techniques many times during a single masturbation may result in a stronger, more intense orgasm.

See also

• Coitus reservatus, a practice where orgasm is withheld for weeks or months at a time.
• Eroto-comatose lucidity
• Tantric sex
• Venus Butterfly
• Erotic sexual denial