Can Men Have Multiple Orgasms? The Dry Orgasm Explained

The usual deal goes like this: you come, you lose all interest in everything, you make a sandwich, and you fall asleep. Everyone's told men get one shot per round, then it's a compulsory break while your body resets. So you might be surprised to hear that plenty of men have learned to have more than one orgasm in a session. It's real, it's not that rare, and it might just change your weekend.

Orgasm and ejaculation aren't the same thing

This is the bit nobody explains. They usually happen together, so we think they're one thing. They aren't. An orgasm is the wave of pleasure, with contractions and a rush in your brain. Ejaculation is the fluid coming out. They're two separate events, and you can have one without the other.

The break you need afterwards, called the refractory period, is mostly linked to ejaculating. So if you can have the orgasm without the ejaculation, sometimes you can keep going. That's a dry orgasm, and that's the theory behind the whole idea. Researchers are still working out the details, and it doesn't work for everybody, so treat it as a fun experiment rather than something you've got to master.

How to practise

You'll want to start solo. There's no pressure, nobody's watching, and you can stop whenever you want.

1. Find your edge. Masturbate until you get very close, then stop. That's edging, and you'll want to get good at it. Learn what your "point of no return" feels like, because that's the moment just before you can't stop.
2. Train your pelvic floor. These are the muscles you use to stop your pee midstream. Squeeze them for a few seconds at a time, then relax, and do a few sets a day. Don't practise while you're actually peeing, though. Stronger muscles give you better control.
3. Get close, and stop just before the edge. Relax your pelvic floor, and breathe slowly and deeply. Many men find that clenching makes things worse, so loosen up.
4. Notice the small contractions. Eventually, you may get a mini orgasm, with a rush and a few pulses but no ejaculation. It'll probably be subtle at first.
5. Keep going. Your erection might not drop much, so you can carry on. Do it a few more times, then finish however you like.

This one takes practice. Weeks or months, for most people. You'll overshoot and come the normal way plenty of times. That's hardly the worst way to fail at something.

Where the prostate comes in

Many men find they can have orgasms with little or no ejaculation through prostate stimulation, and that these orgasms feel deeper and don't always come with the same crash. It's often easier to go again after that. Our prostate guide explains how it works, and our solo guide walks you through your first night.

The Maia Colton is a remote-controlled, 100% silicone massager that targets both the prostate and the perineum, and a good water-based lube is essential. Use only toys with a proper base, and here's why.

Toys for solo practice

A stroker gives you a nice consistent stimulation, so you can focus on what's going on. The Satisfyer Men Vibration focuses on the head, and it has 14 vibration settings you can go up and down through as you get close. Our masturbator guide has more options. You can also try perineum pressure, which some men find gives them a little more control.

What about the refractory period after a normal orgasm?

It's different for everyone, and it tends to get longer with age. Some blokes are ready again in minutes, and others need a day. It's normal. You don't need to fix it. Get a new kind of touch happening in the meantime, or get busy with someone else. A soft cock can still have a good time, and your mouth and hands don't have a refractory period.

A couple of warnings

Don't try to stop ejaculation by squeezing or pinching the base of your cock when you're coming, as this can send semen the wrong way, and it's no way to treat yourself. If you notice pain when you come, or blood in your semen, or a sudden change, see your GP. And if ejaculating too quickly is your real concern, our guide on coming too fast is a better starting point. Take it slowly, have fun with it and don't let it become one more thing to be anxious about. Sandwiches are still allowed.