If you enjoy trying new things in the bedroom, it’s important to approach these activities with caution to avoid potential injuries, advises one doctor.
Maintaining variety in the bedroom is crucial for many healthy relationships.
However, a trend has gained traction on social media, with several TikTok videos encouraging couples to try it out.
If you tend to get your sexual health advice from online sources, you might have already attempted this trend.
For those who haven’t, here’s an explanation.
The practice involves increasing sexual pleasure until just before orgasm, then stopping, and repeating the process. This is commonly known as edging.
Proponents of edging claim it offers numerous benefits, including increased stamina and intensified orgasms for men. However, a doctor has issued a cautionary note about this practice.
Dr. Donald Grant, a GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, has shared his thoughts on the trend’s rising popularity.
He commented: “The technique essentially allows individuals to enjoy more arousal before climax.”
However, he also warned that prolonged use of edging could have a ‘negative impact’ on erectile function.
Dr. Grant mentioned that our bodies can quickly adapt to sexual habits, and long-term use of edging could make normal intercourse or traditional masturbation less effective for men.
He elaborated: “This can have a lasting impact on men’s ability to maintain stimulation, making it more difficult to achieve or maintain an erection — a common sign of erectile dysfunction which may require treatment.”
He also pointed out the increased risk of friction-related injuries and genital tears due to ‘overstimulation,’ something that sounds very unpleasant.
Despite these risks, Dr. Grant did not completely dismiss the practice.
He stated: “Overall, like any masturbation technique or sexual activity, there’s a range of risks to be aware of. Edging varies from person to person in terms of length and frequency.
“I recommend managing how often this technique is used and combining it with normal sexual intercourse and masturbation techniques to help protect against desensitization.”