Premature Ejaculation

What is premature ejaculation?

If you sometimes experience premature ejaculation (PE), it’s nothing to worry about. It can be caused by worrying about how good you are at sex, or even by having too little sex!

Ejaculation occurs when semen is released from the body. So, PE is where you orgasm quickly or with little or no triggers. PE means that orgasm can happen too soon after starting to have sex. In some instances, it can even happen before penetration occurs.

PE can upset sufferers and their partners. It can lead to men avoiding sex because they feel embarrassed about their condition. Occasional PE is common, however. It is also known as early ejaculation or premature climax.

PE can have several negative effects. A man who has experienced it for a long time can find that it takes him a while to fully enjoy sex. This is true even once the issue has been physically solved with medication. Mentally, sex can be very “one level.” If you are used to ejaculating quickly, you may develop low sexual stamina.

What does this mean? That you should be aware that, even during treatment, it may take some time to fully achieve the sex life you want.

What causes it?

There are several possible causes of PE. For this reason, it can often be difficult to identify the exact cause.

The most common causes are:

• Psychological issues, such as anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorders. Low self-esteem can also be a cause. Sometimes, there might be a history of sexual abuse.

• Medical issues: low thyroid levels, prostate problems, diabetes and high blood pressure. All of these may increase the risk of PE.

• Sexual inexperience or stress. Both of these can create high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which has been linked to PE. Often, the problem will improve with more experience or less stress. Of course, this is not always the case.

• A study from Finland showed that people’s genes can make them more likely to suffer from PE. This is a useful finding, as it means that treatments can be created for this type of issue.

Remember that there is no rule about how long sex should last. The average time between penetration and ejaculation is about five to six minutes. However, it can often be less than this. As long as you and your partner are happy, you don’t need to look for treatment. Seek help if either of you are not satisfied or if around half of your sexual experiences continue to end in PE.

What treatment options are there?

PE is usually treated with:

• Medication

• Treatments that focus on behaviours

• Numbing creams and gel

• Therapy

You may need one or more treatments. There are different options for the various causes of PE. You can choose the one best suited to you.

Two very common short-term treatments are the cream EMLA and the Priligy pill (dapoxetine).

How does the treatment work?

Priligy was made to treat PE. It is a short-acting selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, or SSRI. It is designed to delay orgasm by blocking the protein that transports the hormone serotonin.

Low levels of serotonin can make it difficult to enjoy sex, which can cause PE. Priligy increases the amount of serotonin in the brain. This causes a delay to the chemical reactions that lead to orgasm. Eight out of ten patients say it increases the time between getting an erection and orgasming.

EMLA cream is rubbed onto the penis to numb it and delay orgasm. EMLA is a local anesthetic. It numbs the feelings at the head of the penis. This lengthens the time between getting an erection and orgasm.

Please contact us if you would like more information about PE treatments. We provide several and are very happy to answer any of your questions.

What are the symptoms of PE?

PE happens when you get too excited or have a very sensitive penis. Both of these can make orgasm come too quickly. PE is very common. Most men experience it at least once.

There are two types of PE: primary and secondary PE.

Primary PE can happen throughout a person’s life. It can be caused by:

• Genetics

• Biological factors

• Psychological issues

• Upbringing

• Past sexual activities

Secondary PE can happen to a main with no previous history. Again, it can be caused by physical and/or psychological factors.

Physical causes include prostate disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems, drinking too much alcohol, or using certain drugs.

Psychological causes include stress, depression, or anxiety. PE can also happen when men are nervous about sex or have hidden sexual issues or conflicts.

How is it diagnosed?

PE is usually self-diagnosed. In most cases, a person will tell their doctor that they are having problems during sex. They might do so because their sexual partner is unhappy. Either way, it is very important to act quickly. It is also very important that the person talk to their primary doctor before they start any treatment. This is to make sure that there are no other issues causing their symptoms.

A doctor may ask about a PE sufferer’s:

• Sexual health

• Emotional health

• Lifestyle, diet, and exercise

• Alcohol intake

• Recreational drug habits

• Medical history

They may also ask if the sufferer has:

• A history of pelvic injury

• A history of surgery in the pelvic area

The doctor may also advise a PE sufferer to seek help for any mental health issues. This is because PE can often occur due to such problems. Therapy can help someone with PE to get better.

Can I prevent it?

There are several self-help methods that can help with PE. These can be used alongside more formal treatment.

Self-help methods include:

• Relieving yourself through masturbation an hour before having sex with a partner.

• Using a thicker or a numbing condom.

• Breathing deeply and evenly during sex. Avoid holding your breath.

• Letting your partner go on top. This will allow them to pull away quickly if you are too close to orgasm.

On average, how long should a man last before orgasm?

On average, a man lasts around 4 to 11 minutes. As men get older, this time may decrease a lot. How long someone lasts depends on several factors. These include their health, age, lifestyle, and sexual preferences. Medically, lasting less than two minutes in bed is a strong sign of PE.