Understanding Premature Ejaculation: Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Introduction

Premature ejaculation is when you release semen from your body sooner than desired by you or your partner. Although it is a prevalent condition, but most men are hesitant to discuss their concerns. It is not a disease or a condition that cannot be fixed. Therefore, to help you, let us delve deep into the intricacies of your sexual health and understand why premature ejaculation happens, how it is diagnosed, and how it can be treated in this comprehensive guide.

What is Premature Ejaculation?

Uncontrollable Premature Ejaculation (PE) is reaching orgasm and releasing semen too quickly during sex, sometimes before you even want to. While occasional instances are normal, if they happen frequently, it can be frustrating and even affect personal relationships.

How Common is Premature Ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation is a common issue, impacting 30 to 40 per cent of men, at least at one point in their lifetime. One in five men aged 18 to 59 reports experiencing premature ejaculation.

What Time Frame Medically Defines a Man’s Ejaculation as Premature?

Medically, premature ejaculation is often referred to as ejaculating within approximately one minute of sexual activity, particularly when it occurs consistently and causes distress or dissatisfaction for you or your partner. It is essential to note that specific timeframes may vary, and what is considered premature can depend on your individual preferences and expectations.

What are the Potential Causes of Premature Ejaculation?

These are a few premature ejaculation causes:

• Psychological factors such as anxiety, stress, poor body image, depression, negative feelings about the idea of sex, or being overly excited can contribute to premature ejaculation.
• Biological premature ejaculation causes include medical conditions and hormonal fluctuations. The relative balance between the hormones serotonin (blocks ejaculation) and dopamine (promotes ejaculation), chemicals in the brain that are responsible for regulating sexual desire and excitement, can contribute to this issue. High levels of dopamine compared to serotonin can cause premature ejaculation.
• Premature ejaculation can also be linked to erectile dysfunction (difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection of the penis).
• Inflammation (red and swollen) of the prostate (the gland that produces semen) may further contribute to premature ejaculation causes.
• You may have inherited this condition from your family.
• Certain medications, especially those affecting neurotransmitters (adrenaline, epinephrine), may influence ejaculation.
• Alcohol, drugs, or substance abuse can contribute to premature ejaculation.

Are There Other Pre Ejaculation Symptoms?

No, there are no other pre ejaculation symptoms than the condition itself.

How are the Causes of Premature Ejaculation Diagnosed?

To know the premature ejaculation causes, your Urologist will start diagnosing your condition by asking a few personal questions about your sexual health.

• You are likely to be asked questions like for how long you are facing this problem, under what circumstances, whether it happens every time you have sex, about the erection of your penis, etc.
• Your doctor may also ask you about any other medical conditions you are having and the medications you are taking, including herbal supplements.
• He may also ask you about alcohol and other usage of drugs.
• Your doctor may conduct a physical examination if you are having both premature ejaculation and difficulty in keeping an erection.

What Lab Tests are Needed to Make the Diagnosis of Premature Ejaculation?

In case the premature ejaculation causes are more physical in nature than psychological, your doctor may order a blood test to check your hormone levels (oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine, etc.).

How is Premature Ejaculation Treated?

There are many different modes of premature ejaculation treatment, which are mainly based on the premature ejaculation causes. The treatments include behavioural therapy, counselling and medications.

Behavioural Therapy

This mode of premature ejaculation treatment mainly focuses on modifying and addressing specific behaviours, emotions, and thought patterns. Behavioural techniques for premature ejaculation treatment involve:

• Start-Stop Method: During sexual activity, when you feel that you are approaching climax too quickly, pause or stop all sexual stimulation. The brief interruption helps to decrease arousal and delay ejaculation. This process can be repeated several times during sexual activity to build control over ejaculation timing gradually.
• Squeeze Technique: Similar to the start-stop method, but with an added step. When you sense that you are nearing ejaculation, ask your partner to squeeze the base of the penis for about 30 seconds. This temporarily reduces sexual arousal and delay ejaculation. This technique can be practised during sexual activity, with the squeeze applied multiple times if needed.
• Distracted Thinking: When you are nearing ejaculation, divert your thinking and focus on nonsexual thoughts. This can help you delay ejaculation.

Counselling

Counselling as part of the premature ejaculation treatment, either alone or with a partner, can address psychological factors contributing to premature ejaculation.

Medications

These are a few PE medications used to delay premature ejaculation timing.

• Antidepressants, such as fluoxetine and paroxetine, may be suggested for premature ejaculation treatment.
• Erectile dysfunction medications like tadalafil, sildenafil, and avanafil have also been used for treating premature ejaculation.
• Topical anaesthetics like lidocaine and prilocaine in creams or sprays can be included in the premature ejaculation treatment plan to assist in delaying ejaculation.

How to Prevent Early Ejaculation?

How to prevent early ejaculation can be a very daunting question in your mind. But the good news is premature ejaculation can be delayed. Here are some tips for you:

• Incorporate pelvic floor exercises in your daily routine to strengthen your pelvic muscles and have better control of ejaculation. Identify the muscle you would use to stop urinating midstream, then squeeze and release. Begin with a few seconds, increasing gradually. Aim for 10 contractions.
• Address your emotional fears, guilt, and relationship issues with your partner and ensure mental clarity.
• Maintain a stress-free lifestyle to prevent early ejaculation.
• If external help is required, reach out to a psychological counsellor and a urologist; together, they can help rectify your issues.

What Outcome Can I Expect if I Have Premature Ejaculation?

The outcome of premature ejaculation varies, but with appropriate treatment and behavioural strategies, many individuals experience improved ejaculatory control and enhanced sexual satisfaction.

Can Wearing a Condom Help With Premature Ejaculation?

Wearing a condom may provide a slight reduction in sensitivity, which may help you manage premature ejaculation, but it is not a definitive solution for everyone.

Can Premature Ejaculation be a Sign of an Underlying Health Condition?

Yes, premature ejaculation can be a sign of underlying health conditions such as erectile dysfunction, thyroid problems, and usage of recreational drugs.

How Does Premature Ejaculation Affect Relationships?

Premature ejaculation can impact relationships by causing frustration, stress, and a sense of dissatisfaction.

What’s the Difference Between Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation?

Erectile dysfunction involves difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection of your penis, while premature ejaculation is the early release of semen.

Can Drinking Alcohol Help Delay Ejaculation?

Drinking alcohol can delay orgasm, but it is not a reliable mode of premature ejaculation treatment.

Conclusion

Addressing premature ejaculation involves understanding its causes, seeking a proper diagnosis, and exploring personalised treatments. Behavioural strategies and communication with healthcare professionals can contribute to improved ejaculatory control and overall sexual satisfaction. Metropolis Labs leads in accurate diagnosis with at-home blood tests, offering precise information for proactive health management. Consider exploring our services and articles at Metropolis Labs for accurate diagnosis and valuable insights.