The average man wants to last longer in bed — both for personal pleasure and also to make his woman climax.

However, experts say that such thoughts usually remain an unfulfilled dream for some men, such that the more they try to last longer in bed, the faster they finish.

Professor of sex, Debby Herbenick, gives some tested and proved ways to help you last a little longer during sex!

• Sensation. In general terms, this refers to the idea that you can regulate your own neurophysiology — or the way your body responds to physical sensations, a urologist, Dr. Thomas Walsh, says.

One of the most common ways to last longer in bed is to bring yourself right to the edge of orgasm before stopping all sexual or masturbatory activity until you have your excitement under control.

Practising this technique can teach your brain and body to better control your orgasm response, adds sex therapist, Dr. Emily Morse.

• The squeeze. If you can feel your orgasm coming on, stop and squeeze right below the head of your penis. Apply firm pressure with your thumb and forefinger and focus the pressure on the urethra—the tube running along the underside of the penis, advises Ian Kerner, Ph.D., a sex therapist. The squeeze technique can help you last longer in bed by pushing blood out of the penis and momentarily decreasing sexual tension, which represses the ejaculatory response, Kerner says.

• Ladies first. When you help her finish first—whether with your mouth, your fingers, or a toy—knowing she’s enjoyed an orgasm may relieve some of the pressure you’re feeling to last longer in bed, Kerner says.

• De-sensitizers. There are topical sprays, called “local anesthetics,” that you can apply to your penis to lessen the sensation and keep control, Dr. Walsh says. “When used properly, you can adjust the amount of desensitization with these sprays, and it won’t transfer to your partner,” he adds. But be warned: The lack of sensation could make it difficult for you to stay erect, he says.

• Condom control. Most major condom manufacturers make extra-thick rubbers that act like a slip-on desensitizer for your penis, Morse says, and these can help you last longer in bed. Look for marketing lingo like “extended pleasure” or “performax.”

• Pills. Plenty of men swallow a pill to become erect. Such drugs genuinely help men with premature ejaculation. Check with your pharmacist, Dr. Walsh explains. Warning, though: the drugs shouldn’t be used unless your performance problem is seriously affecting your life, Dr. Walsh says. He advises talking to your doctor to discuss this option.

• Ask an expert. If you feel like you’ve tried everything to have better sex without success, it may be time to discuss your problem with a sexual dysfunction specialist, Dr. Walsh says.

Four places you shouldn’t touch during sex

Unless you want it to stop, there are practically some no-go areas when it comes to having sex with your woman, sexologists have warned.

You should avoid touching the following areas during sex…

• Her cervix
If you reach her cervix during sex, recognise that something is wrong. Remember, this is the narrow canal that connects the vagina to the womb. That isn’t a place you want to go, so don’t knock on the door.

For starters, it’s painful for her to have something rammed against her cervix, and it could be a sign that you need to shift for a position with shallower penetration.

But it could also mean that she isn’t warmed up enough. Her womb will actually “lift” upwards when she’s sexually aroused, making her vaginal cavity a few inches deeper than when she isn’t turned on. So, engage in more foreplay, and don’t service her cervix.

• The head of her clitoris
This might seem counterintuitive, but the clitoris — which is full of super sensitive nerve endings —can sometimes feel too intense when it’s stimulated directly. Touching the clitoris head-on, especially if she’s really aroused, can feel too severe.

Think about that feeling when you gulp an ice-cold beverage and your teeth start to tingle — it’s just not pleasant. Instead, try going for the shaft of her clitoris or rubbing circles around it, which will engage the nerve endings without overstimulating her.

• Her feet
Especially if she’s wearing a pair of socks. A study from Johns Hopkins University showed that wearing socks during sex can increase orgasm potential for both men and women.

One potential reason: In order to orgasm, women need to be totally relaxed and anxiety-free, and cold feet can interfere with their ability to really get into sex.

• Her anus
Unless you’re fully lubricated, don’t go near her anus! Anal play can take plenty of warming up, but even when she’s totally aroused and ready to get it on, nothing should go in there without a generous helping of lubricant. The anal opening is small enough that even a finger can feel uncomfortable.

A study from the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that women rate their sexual satisfaction much higher when lubrication is involved.