Premature ejaculation

Alternative Names

Ejaculatory incompetence, Sex - delayed ejaculation, Retarded ejaculation

What is Premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a male sexual dysfunction when a man ejaculates earlier than he or his partner expects him to do. Premature ejaculation is characterized by a lack of voluntary control over ejaculation. It creates dissatisfaction in both partners. It is a rather common complaint.

There are 2 types of PE:

• acquired (where the symptoms of premature ejaculation either gradually, or suddenly, develop, with ejaculation previously being normal before the onset of symptoms)
• lifelong (where the symptoms of premature ejaculation develop during a man’s first sexual experience and remain a problem afterwards)

Signs and symptoms

PE is characterized by the following symptoms:

• ejaculation that always or nearly always occurs within one minute of vaginal penetration
• the inability to delay ejaculation on all or nearly all vaginal penetrations
• negative personal consequences, such as stress, frustration or the avoidance of sexual intimacy

Possible complications

In most cases PE does not lead to serious consequences, but it may cause the following problems:

• relationship stress
• fertility problems

What causes

There is no an established cause of PE. Doctors suggest that it is a combination of both psychological and biological factors. These factors may include:

Psycological factors:

• situations in which you may have hurried to reach climax in order to avoid being discovered
• guilty feelings that increase your tendency to rush through sexual encounters
• erectile dysfunction
• anxiety
• relationship problems

Biological causes:

• abnormal hormone levels
• abnormal levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters
• abnormal reflex activity of the ejaculatory system
• certain thyroid problems
• inflammation and infection of the prostate or urethra
• inherited traits
• nervous system damage resulting from surgery or trauma
• withdrawal from certain medications used to treat mental health problems

Prevention

You cannot do much to prevent this disorder. In some cases it is helpful to massage the pelvic muscle. Massaging it helps to make it stronger and more able to resist intense stimulation.

Treatment

There are some techniques that may be effective in the tratment of PE:

• masturbating an hour or two before having sex
• using a thick condom to help decrease sensation
• taking a deep breath to briefly shut down the ejaculatory reflex (an automatic reflex of
• the body during which ejaculation occurs)
• having sex with your partner on top (to allow them to pull away when you are close to ejaculating)
• taking breaks during sex and thinking about something boring

Sometimes people intake selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). They are aimed to treat depression but may be effective when treating PE. (It is important that SSRIs are not licensed to treat premature ejaculation and it is necessary to consult your doctor before using them)

SSRIs include:

• paroxetine
• sertraline
• fluoxetine

In some cases it is recommended to use PDE-5 inhibitors are type of medication that are used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence), and they are also used to treat some cases of premature ejaculation.