Premature ejaculation

What is premature ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most frequently occurring male sexual conditions, estimated to affect approximately 30% of men in the UK. Medical professionals commonly diagnose PE as when a man ejaculates (orgasms) less than 2 minutes after initial arousal.

However, each individual will have different expectations of whether their ejaculation is premature, making the condition difficult to define. It doesn't matter what method of stimulation (penetrative, oral, etc.) causes your condition - PE is the diagnosis, and it is treatable.

PE is not to be confused with:

• Delayed ejaculation; an inability to ejaculate or climax, typically over 30 minutes
• Retrograde ejaculation; production of no semen or a small amount due to sperm travelling backwards

• What are the causes of premature ejaculation?

  Premature ejaculation can occur for a variety of reasons, categorised into psychological, physical or lifestyle factors:

  Sexually inexperienced individuals are more prone to the psychological causes of PE, as are those who have had negative sexual experiences in the past. Stress, guilt and anxiety can also influence an individual's bedroom problems. Therapy and/or medications are often recommended to overcome psychologically induced PE.

  Physical causes are often medical and involuntary. These include; neurological conditions, vascular conditions, spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis (MS).

  Generally speaking, lifestyle factors are preventable causes of PE. These include:

• Alcohol
• Drugs
• Smoking (nicotine)
• Some prescription medications

• If you believe that your prescription medication may be a cause of your PE, you should visit your GP for advice.

• How can I prevent premature ejaculation?

  Before beginning treatment, it is important to identify what is causing your PE. Depending on whether it is psychological or physical will affect what treatment is most effective.

  Therapy is often recommended when PE is identified as psychological. In a professional setting, you (and your partner) will be encouraged to explore any issues that may be affecting your sexual performance, and receive advice about how to resolve them.

  If the cause is found to be physical then prescription medication may be the best option for counteracting symptoms. Options include Priligy (an SSRI) . 

• Currently, the most popular prescription medication is Priligy (an oral tablet taken before sexual activity)

• Priligy belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Although the primary function of SSRIs is to treat depression, by increasing serotonin, ejaculation can be delayed. Clinical trials have shown Priligy to increase sexual stamina by 200-300%.