Tantric Techniques For Unlocking Your Orgasmic Potential

Question: Your column has helped me a lot. I've been in a relationship for five months and so far, my boyfriend has reached orgasm only through masturbation. We often have sex, but he has managed to come through penetration only twice. I know I shouldn't, but I feel as if it's my fault. I've never discussed the matter with him since it's so personal. Moreover, I've never had an orgasm, which makes me feel sad and unsatisfied. What should I do? How can I help him?

First, let me congratulate you for taking the steps toward a better sex life. Acknowledging that there is an issue and asking for help are steps that many people are afraid to take. So, kudos for that!

There's a lot to address here, but let me start with the statement that stood out the most to me. You said, "I've never discussed the matter with him since it's so personal." Too personal?! Girl, his penis has been in your vagina! It doesn't get much more personal than that. You are way past personal here! This issue is as much about your inability to talk to him about sex as it is about his inability to orgasm through intercourse.

But, listen, I understand. For most people, it's easier to take their clothes off and be naked in front of someone than it is to be "naked" in a conversation — as in being emotionally present and transparent — with the person they're having sex with.

One reason for this is that there is a lot of shame and embarrassment on both sides when sexual issues come up. It might seem easier to remain silent, but when you keep these issues locked away, they only get bigger. We need to bring sex out of the closet and into the light. That means you need to start communicating with your boyfriend about sex.

This isn't your fault. We're not taught how to please our partners or ourselves. We might know what the parts are but not how these parts can bring us pleasure. Sexual education in school is more about how to make babies (or how not to). No one teaches us how to have an orgasm, so it's no wonder so many couples are going through exactly what you are going through. We're raised with a lot of shame, fear, and guilt around sexuality, which makes it difficult to talk about.

The good news is that even though he's only climaxed twice via penetration and intercourse, you know he's able to do it. That's a positive. Think back on those two times and try to remember specifics about what positions you were in and other circumstances of the encounter.

But, also consider this: He might have a sexual or emotional issue that he's too embarrassed to talk about. He may feel some shame or guilt that is preventing him from having orgasms during sex. Or, he might actually just like to have an orgasm via his hand instead of intercourse.

In tantra, some men train themselves to last longer during intercourse by learning to orgasm via masturbation more. It's possible that he's doing that. It's common that the first way a person (man or woman) learns to have an orgasm is the method they like the most because it's comfortable and familiar. Most guys have their first orgasm at a young age by using their hand, so perhaps it's just his preference. The thing is, you don't know why this is happening because you haven't asked him. The first step here is to talk to him about it.

Now, talking to him about it probably scares you, right? Some sex therapists say it's not a good idea to talk about sexual issues in bed. I disagree wholeheartedly. Bring it up in a playful, sexy way during foreplay when he's nice and relaxed. Set up a sex date that's all about him. Focus on learning about his body and pleasing him.

You can set a sexy scene in your bedroom with candles and music and give him a sensual full body and lingam massage with coconut oil. Since we know he likes to come during hand jobs, let me first teach you how to be the Hand Job Queen so that you can participate in his orgasm on this level.

Lingam is the Sanskrit word for "penis." Unlike your average hand job, the lingam massage involves not only massaging and stroking the penis but can also incorporate more advanced techniques, including the testicles, perineum, and the sacred spot (the prostate) as well.

Start the massage by rubbing coconut oil on his chest, penis, balls, and legs. Start by sliding your hands up and down his thighs before getting to the good stuff. This will also make him feel more relaxed. Compliment him on something you like about what you're seeing and touching.

From there, move on to the testicles. Gently, slowly massage them. Once you've teased the areas around the penis and he's clearly wanting more, move to the shaft of the penis. Vary your grip from harder to lighter. Vary your stroke sequences between straight up and down and a twisting motion. Vary the action from one hand to two hands. When using just one hand, alternate between using the right hand and the left hand. Vary the speed from slow to fast.

As you are massaging him, ask him in a soft, sweet, and sexy way what he likes. Ask, "Do you like when I stroke you like this?" Touch his chest and nipples and see what other erogenous zones he reacts to the most. Encourage him to guide you and tell you what he likes.

You can say, "I really want to please you. Tell me what you like." Or ask him directly in a nonconfrontational way as you are massaging his penis, "I notice that you come with your hand more; what can I do to help you come inside me?" Or, "I want to learn how to make you come during sex. What can we do to make that happen?" Ask him what his favorite positions are, what turns him on, and to teach you how to better please him.

After you give him the lingam massage, ask him to give you a yoni massage. This will help you explore your clitoris and G-spot more so you can find out what works for you. For women who haven't had an orgasm like yourself, it's sometimes easier to learn how to orgasm through clitoral or G-spot stimulation first, either through solo masturbation or having your partner stimulate you. From there, you can take what you've learned into your next sexual intercourse session and play around with different positions that help stimulate those spots.

Yoni is the Sanskrit word for "vagina." There are five yoni massage techniques that you and your boyfriend can play around with. Circling, for instance, is where you circle the tip of the clitoris with the tip of your finger to stimulate arousal, varying from smaller circles to larger ones. Alternate the pressure from light to heavy.

Another is pushing and pulling, in which you push down on the clitoris and make small push and pull strokes, and then slide your finger down the shaft of the clitoris. Do this on both sides of the shaft, keeping in mind that some women are more sensitive on one part of the clitoris than another.

During the massage, let him know what feels good and what doesn't. Encourage him to explore your body so you can learn together what turns you on the most.

If you really want to go deep, you can try my Tantra 101 course, in which I have more details on the lingam and yoni massages and how to let go of shame, as well as tips on orgasms for women, sacred masturbation, multiple orgasms, and more.