Content
Enjoy sex like you used to
Reviewed by Kelly Brown MD, MBA
Written by Geoffrey C. Whittaker
Published 07/25/2021
Updated 04/14/2024
Multiple orgasms: the holy grail of sexual accomplishment. Women love them, men want to provide them and all guys wish they could have them.
The multiple male orgasm is not a well-researched topic. But you’ve likely heard or seen some sexologist proclaim that prostate stimulation, perineum play, genital meditation or Zen masturbation can bring you to sexual Nirvana.
Unfortunately, legitimate research on multiple orgasms and the multi-orgasmic man is thin — and not terribly impressive yet. What we’re trying to say is, there’s not a lot out there to suggest men can have multiple orgasms. But also, never say never!
Below, we’ll go over the current research, along with some practical tips for better orgasm control. It may not make for multiples, but it’s a start. Here’s what we know so far:
Content
If you believe the optimistic studies that have been published, men can, in fact, achieve multiple orgasms. But there’s a catch.
The occurrence of men who can accomplish this multiversal pleasure is unsurprisingly low — less than 10 percent, according to current research (which is limited to self-reported data).
What’s more, the occurrence of these self-reported orgasms tends to drop off after age thirty. So, if you’re buying a retirement home this weekend, you might as well focus on your short game.
The big question for many men: Why can’t most guys climax more than once when many women can?
It has to do with something men are stuck with called the refractory period. Basically, the refractory period is a “cooldown” mechanism for your orgasms. This period is the time after climaxing before you’re able to get hard again.
Refractory periods can last just a few minutes or up to an entire day, depending on various factors, including age.
We still have lots of questions to answer about how and why it works, but some men claim to be able to skip it — and most experts are puzzled.
Sexual health is an ever-evolving field. So while we’ll tell you right now there’s no known strategy or sexual stimulation technique for achieving multiples, there are ways to increase stamina, improve erectile function and even decrease the refractory period, bringing you closer to the desired pace of pleasure.
A lot of your orgasm control might be related to the type of orgasm you have — yes, there are more than one. In fact, there are thought to be two types of male multiple orgasms: sporadic and condensed.
Sporadic multiple orgasms. Some men might be able to orgasm multiple times in a cluster with a latency period of a few minutes between climaxes.
Condensed multiple orgasms. This is when men climax multiple times in such rapid succession that the transition from one to the next seems instantaneous.
If you want to achieve a knee-buckling, full-body orgasm, multiple non-ejaculatory orgasms or some kind of Taoist Zen orgasmic enlightenment, here’s what to add to your routine.
Pelvic floor exercises (or kegel exercises) can be done at your desk or while playing video games — and they can give you a huge boost in the bedroom.
A 2019 systematic review concluded that pelvic floor muscle training “appears effective in treating erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.” In other words, doing kegels is a great way to improve all areas of your sexual wellness.
Unfortunately, the same review said that no “optimal training protocol” has been identified, so you may need to try a few techniques before you see results.
To do a kegel, contract the PC (pubococcygeus) muscle — which controls bowel movements — or pelvic floor muscles (the ones that control urination) repetitively to increase your control over ejaculation.
As many women will tell you, these muscles weaken with age. Pelvic weakness is linked to incontinence issues and premature ejaculation (PE), so it’s good for more than just your sex life.
The so-called “squeeze technique” can help you not cross the point of no return during sexual activity. Just before orgasm, you pull out and gently squeeze the tip of your penis to decrease your level of arousal. Do this for 30 seconds, letting the sensation pass and your heart rate settle down, then get back in the game.
The squeeze technique is popular, but it does have a few limitations — among them: your own self-control.
The start-stop technique is literally just stopping mid-sex until the urge to ejaculate goes away, then starting again.
Studies on the start-stop technique are limited, but they generally support its efficacy. For guys with good control and partner communication, it can help in a (less literal) pinch.
If you suffer from premature ejaculation, you have options beyond the techniques listed above. Research shows that antidepressants like sertraline and paroxetine can actually increase men’s time to ejaculation in some cases.
These meds aren’t officially meant to control ejaculation. But just because the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) hasn’t approved them for this purpose yet doesn’t mean healthcare providers haven’t noticed their sex-boosting side effects.
Likewise, topical treatments can help prevent premature ejaculation. Lidocaine, benzocaine and other numbing agents can make you less sensitive, delaying and reducing pleasure enough to squeeze out a few more minutes.
Our Clockstopper benzocaine wipes and Delay Spray are two great places to start.
Numerous medications for erectile dysfunction may help you have more satisfying sex. ED meds like sildenafil (generic Viagra®), tadalafil (generic Cialis®) and avanafil (generic Stendra®) improve erectile function by making blood flow to your penis easier and more efficient.
For more on how these prescription ED treatments work and how to take them correctly, check out our guide to erectile dysfunction medications.
There are several ways to improve sexual health. Sexual medicine reminds us that our overall well-being is tightly linked to sex, so good heart health, mindful dietary choices, consistent sleep habits and effective stress management are essential priorities — whether sexual arousal is a problem or not.
Multiple orgasms might sound great, but satisfying sex and abundant sexual pleasure aren’t questions of quantity — they’re questions of quality.
What we’re getting at is that although multiples would be nice, they shouldn’t be your focus.
To optimize your sex life, remember these hard facts:
Some research answers the question “Can you cum twice?” with a tentative yes. However, the “yes” is self-reported by men who may not understand their sexual experience scientifically.
No studies have shown biomechanical evidence of male multiple orgasms.
Sex toys, anal orgasms, so-called tantric sex, prostate orgasms, dry orgasms and any other pleasurable sensation might be fun, but there’s no research linking them to mythic multiple male orgasms.
Sex is much more when sharing it with someone equally invested and present in the experience.
If you’re dealing with ED, PE or another sexual issue, talk to a professional. They can provide medication, therapy and guidance for having the kind of bedroom game you want.
Ready to take the next step? We can help. Explore our online sexual health resources or fill out our quick online questionnaire to get started.
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Dr. Kelly Brown is a board certified Urologist and fellowship trained in Andrology. She is an accomplished men’s health expert with a robust background in healthcare innovation, clinical medicine, and academic research. Dr. Brown was previously Medical Director of a male fertility startup where she lead strategy and design of their digital health platform, an innovative education and telehealth model for delivering expert male fertility care.
She completed her undergraduate studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Heels!) with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science and a Minor in Chemistry. She took a position at University of California Los Angeles as a radiologic technologist in the department of Interventional Cardiology, further solidifying her passion for medicine. She also pursued the unique opportunity to lead departmental design and operational development at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, sparking her passion for the business of healthcare.
Dr. Brown then went on to obtain her doctorate in medicine from the prestigious Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine and Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, with a concentration in Healthcare Management. During her surgical residency in Urology at University of California San Francisco, she utilized her research year to focus on innovations in telemedicine and then served as chief resident with significant contributions to clinical quality improvement. Dr. Brown then completed her Andrology Fellowship at Medical College of Wisconsin, furthering her expertise in male fertility, microsurgery, and sexual function.
Her dedication to caring for patients with compassion, understanding, as well as a unique ability to make guys instantly comfortable discussing anything from sex to sperm makes her a renowned clinician. In addition, her passion for innovation in healthcare combined with her business acumen makes her a formidable leader in the field of men’s health.
Dr. Brown is an avid adventurer; summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (twice!) and hiking the incredible Torres del Paine Trek in Patagonia, Chile. She deeply appreciates new challenges and diverse cultures on her travels. She lives in Denver with her husband, two children, and beloved Bernese Mountain Dog. You can find Dr. Brown on LinkedIn for more information.
Education & Training
Andrology Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin
Urology Residency, University of California San Francisco
M.D. Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineB.S. in Radiologic Science, Chemistry Minor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Published as Kelly Walker
Cowan, B, Walker, K., Rodgers, K., Agyemang, J. (2023). Hormonal Management Improves Semen Analysis Parameters in Men with Abnormal Concentration, Motility, and/or Morphology. Fertility and Sterility, Volume 118, Issue 5, e4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/fertility-and-sterility/vol/120/issue/1/suppl/S
Walker, K., Gogoj, A., Honig, S., Sandlow, J. (2021). What’s New in Male Contraception? AUA Update Series, Volume 40. https://auau.auanet.org/content/update-series-2021-lesson-27-what%E2%80%99s-new-male-contraception
Walker, K., Shindel, A. (2019). AUA Erectile Dysfunction Guideline. AUA Update Series, Volume 38. https://auau.auanet.org/content/course-307
Walker, K., Ramstein, J., & Smith, J. (2019). Regret Regarding Fertility Preservation Decisions Among Male Cancer Patients. The Journal of Urology, 201(Supplement 4), e680-e681. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/01.JU.0000556300.18991.8e
Walker, K., & Smith, J. (2019). Feasibility Study of Video Telehealth Clinic Visits in Urology. The Journal of Urology, 201(Supplement 4), e545-e545. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/01.JU.0000556071.60611.37