Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is most commonly defined as the inability to control the rapidity or timing of ejaculation. It can also be defined as the inability to last long enough to satisfy your partner or not being happy with the length of time you last. These symptoms are diagnosed and treated by the Urology Division of Premier Medical Group.

Premature ejaculation is a fairly common complaint. Approximately 40% of American men are affected by this form of erectile dysfunction, a larger number than are troubled by impotence. More common in younger men, premature ejaculation can be devastating for the man and frustrating for his partner.

What is premature ejaculation?

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Premature ejaculation is most commonly defined as the inability to control the rapidity or timing of ejaculation. It can also be defined as the inability to last long enough to satisfy your partner or not being happy with the length of time you last. Premature ejaculation is a common complaint. Approximately 40% of American men are affected by some type of premature ejaculation disorder, a larger number than are troubled by impotence. More common in younger men, premature ejaculation can be devastating for the man and frustrating for his partner.

Causes of premature ejaculation

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Premature ejaculation is rarely a symptom of an underlying illness or disease. It can be a sign of prostatitis, but it’s very rare. Some of the more common causes of premature ejaculation are:

  • Incapability to control sexual arousal
  • Anxiety
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Excessive masturbation with the intention to reach climax quickly
  • Depression, some antidepressant medications can cause erectile dysfunction
  • A long period of abstinence
  • Lack of experience

Prostate cancer and testicular cancer do not typically cause premature ejaculation. Instead, chemotherapy and radiation treatment for these cancers may cause retrograde ejaculation or dry orgasm.

Symptoms of premature ejaculation

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Premature ejaculation can happen with any sexual circumstances. It can happen during intercourse, oral sex, or even masturbation. Just as there is no universal definition of the disorder, the symptoms of premature ejaculation can be varied but are typically defined in one of two ways:

  • When ejaculation occurs within one minute or less of penetration
  • When the man is not capable of delaying ejaculation on all or almost all penetrations

How is premature ejaculation diagnosed?

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A diagnosis of premature ejaculation begins with a detailed medical and sexual history. Sex history will include your past and present sexual relationships. Your physician will ask you about drug use including over-the-counter, prescription and recreational drug use. He may also take some blood tests to rule out hormonal imbalances as the cause of premature ejaculation. Sometimes, a sex therapist can be helpful with the diagnosis and treatment of premature ejaculation. Your family background, culture, and values can play a part in your sexual health.

Effects of premature ejaculation

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Premature ejaculation disorder can become a serious problem if not confronted. A fulfilling love life is what completes a relationship and brings people closer. If your premature ejaculation is on the verge of ruining a relationship, it would probably be a good idea to make overcoming it your first priority. It’s a shame to see good relationships and marriages get destroyed by a preventable problem. This problem can be conquered by most men who put forth the effort.

Not having the ability to satisfy women can also affect a man’s health and well-being. A lack of confidence and self-esteem can develop if the premature ejaculation persists. The repetitive failure can be detrimental to a man’s confidence and overall happiness throughout life.

Other than the mental effects of premature ejaculation, which can sometimes affect your overall health, there are no known physical problems or illnesses caused by premature ejaculation.

What are the types of premature ejaculation?

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There are several types of premature ejaculation. It may not be obvious at first what type you’re experiencing, but once you make this recognition, it can inform the best way to treat your premature ejaculation.

Primary premature ejaculation

This type is a learned behavior and is psychogenic in contrast to physical or organic. Primary premature ejaculation generally starts when the male initially becomes sexually active. Like any learned behavior, it can be unlearned.

Secondary premature ejaculation

Secondary premature ejaculation is characterized by the length of time of intercourse growing increasingly shorter, even after years of normal ejaculation. Unlike other types of premature ejaculation, this is usually due to physical causes generally involving the penile arteries, veins, or both.

Performance anxiety

This type of premature ejaculation is commonly caused by stress or anxiety.

How is premature ejaculation treated?

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Treatment for premature ejaculation includes medications, sexual therapy, and psychotherapy. Typically, a combination of these treatments works best for men. Some helpful tips include:

  • For the man to masturbate an hour or two before intercourse which helps delay ejaculation during intercourse
  • To avoid intercourse for short periods of time and focus instead on other types of sexual play. This will take the pressure off the actual sexual act.
  • The squeeze method:This technique has been very successful. The repetition of this process prepares you so you can penetrate your partner without immediately ejaculating. Soon you will learn how to delay ejaculation without needing to squeeze.
    • Step 1. Stimulate the penis just until you feel nearly ready to ejaculate.
    • Step 2. Squeeze the end of your penis, or have your partner do it, and keep holding the head of the penis until the feeling to ejaculate goes by.
    • Step 3. Now release the penis, wait about a minute, and then begin stimulating the penis again.
    • Step 4. Just when you again sense you’re about to ejaculate, squeeze and repeat the process.
  • Other Medications: It’s rarely as simple as taking a pill and curing the condition, but some types of premature ejaculation pills can help. Certain anti-depressants, which decrease libido and delay orgasm, can be used to treat premature ejaculation.
  • Topical anesthetic creams: Applying an anesthetic cream containing either lidocaine or prilocaine can help to dull the sensation on the penis, which in turn delays ejaculation. There are premature ejaculation wipes specifically for this purpose. To help delay your ejaculation, apply cream shortly before intercourse, but make sure to wipe the penis clean first so as not to affect your partner’s sensations.
  • Psychotherapy: Finding a good sexual therapist can prove helpful. Discussing your situation can relieve anxiety and stress. Many therapists can also provide useful literature and help you with techniques to guide you through the process to achieve a healthy sexual relationship.

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