Premature Ejaculation

Occasional instances of PE is generally nothing to worry about and can be caused by something as simple as performance anxiety or even having too little sex!

The release of semen from the body is known as ejaculation so premature ejaculation (PE) is the term that refers to achieving orgasm quickly with little or no stimulation. This means that orgasm can occur too soon after intercourse has started and in some instances, it can even happen before penetration is achieved.

PE can cause sufferers and their partner distress and it can lead to men avoiding sex because they feel embarrassed about their condition, though occasional premature ejaculation is common and known as rapid/early ejaculation, or premature climax.

PE can affect the sufferer mentally in any number of negative ways and a man who has experienced it for a long period of time can find that psychologically, it still takes a while for them to fully enjoy sexual intercourse even once the issue is solved physically with medication. This is because the mind has fallen into a habit of sex being very ‘one level’ and if you are used to ejaculating quickly, your sexual stamina has not had a chance to develop. Once you have begun some form of treatment, be aware that it may take some time and practise to begin to fully enjoy the sex life you wish to have.

The causes of PE vary and due to this, it can be difficult to identify one specific cause in many cases. The most common causes are known to be:

• Psychological issues: for example anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorders, as well as low self-esteem or even as a result of sexual abuse.
• Medical issues: hypothyroidism, prostate problems, diabetes and high blood pressure may put men at an increased risk of premature ejaculation.
• Sexual inexperience and those experiencing high levels of stress: these can create high levels of the stress hormone cortisol which has been directly linked to PE. In most of these cases, the problem tends to improve as experience develops or as stress levels decrease, but of course this is not always the case.
• Genetic predisposition: an independent study performed in Finland showed there can be a genetic susceptiveness to PE. This discovery is a positive finding as it means that there is potential for the development of new treatments to help those specifically suffering from the genetic form of premature ejaculation.

It is important to remember that there is no set rule about how long sex should last. Research has shown that the average time between penetration and ejaculation is around five-and-a-half minutes however, it can often be less than this in many cases. As long as you and your partner are happy with how long you last, there is no need to look for treatments. It is only worth seeking help if you are not satisfied with your sexual performance or if it persists with around half of your attempts to have intercourse ending in premature orgasm.

It might be that your situation requires one or a combination of such treatments but no matter what the cause, there are a number of approved and tested treatments available for PE to suit your personal situation.

For shorter term solutions, two very common treatments include the topical cream EMLA and the medication Dapoxetine under the brand name Priligy.

Some of the most common options of treatment for premature ejaculation include:

• medication
• behavioural applications
• topical anaesthetics including creams and gel
• therapy

Dapoxetine was developed specifically to treat PE and is known as a short acting selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor or SSRI and it is designed to delay ejaculation by inhibiting the serotonin transporter.

In part this particular treatment works on a psychological level, as some studies suggest that low serotonin can make it difficult to enjoy intercourse thus causing premature ejaculation. As such Dapoxetine increases serotonin levels in the brain which causes a delay to the chemical reactions which result in ejaculation. It has shown that it can increase the time between getting an erection and reaching orgasm in eight out of 10 patients.

EMLA cream works on a physical level and is a medication designed to be applied to the penis in order to numb the nerve endings and delay ejaculation. A local anaesthetic, it reduces the level of stimulation felt at the head of the penis during intercourse and has been shown to decrease the time between an erection and ejaculation significantly.

If you would like any further information about the PE products we provide, don’t hesitate to contact us by phone or email. Our specialists are on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Premature ejaculation often occurs due to over-excitement or increased sensitivity of the penis. This means an individual reaches completion faster than desired. Premature ejaculation is quite common, and most men experience it at least once during their lifetime.

There are two types of premature ejaculation. They are known as primary premature ejaculation and secondary premature ejaculation.

Lifelong premature ejaculation is primary premature ejaculation. There are various factors contributing to this. For example:

• Genetic factors
• Biological factors
• Psychological conditioning
• Upbringing
• Past sexual experiences

Similarly, secondary premature ejaculation is a condition in a man with no history of abnormal sexual experiences. However, like primary premature ejaculation, secondary can also occur due to physical and psychological factors.

The physical causes may include prostate disease, high blood pressure or hypertension, diabetes, thyroid problems, excessive consumption of alcohol or use of recreational drugs. In contrast, common psychological causes may include stress, depression, anxiety or nervousness about sex or unresolved sexual issues or conflicts.

In most cases, individuals come forth with feelings of dissatisfaction regarding sexual encounters. Similarly, many seek help due to the fact that their sexual partner is unhappy with their performance. In such cases, taking action as soon as possible is essential. Note that premature ejaculation is often self-diagnosed and treated. However, one must consult their primary healthcare provider before starting treatment in order to ensure that there are underlying health conditions causing such complications.

Your healthcare provider may question you about the following:

• Your sexual health.
• Your emotional health.
• Your lifestyle, diet, and exercise.
• The amount of alcohol you consume.
• Whether you take recreational drugs or not.
• Your medical history (to try and determine any underlying medical cause).
• Whether you have previously sustained any pelvic injury.
• Whether you have undergone any surgery in the pelvic region.

Your doctor may advise you to seek help for mental health complications, as premature ejaculation typically occurs due to such problems. Consult an expert, and seek therapy in order to get better.

According to various health experts, there are numerous self-help techniques that an individual can use to prevent premature ejaculation. Although these are precautionary measures, you can use them alongside a treatment. For example, try the following self-help tips:                

• Masturbating or pleasuring yourself an hour before any sexual encounter.
• Using a thicker or a numbing condom.
• Taking adequate amount of breaths during sexual activities. Avoid holding your breath during sex.
• Let your partner go on top during sexual activities. This will allow your partner to quickly pull away when you are close to reaching an orgasm.

As previously mentioned, you can use these techniques in conjunction with any medical or psychological treatments.

On average, a man lasts around 4 to 11 minutes. However, as a man ages, the time may decrease significantly. Note that various factors contribute to one lasting for a reasonable amount of time. For example, your health, age, lifestyle, and preference play a huge role. However, according to medical professionals, lasting less than 2 minutes in bed indicates premature ejaculation.