Understanding Premature Ejaculation
Premature Ejaculation (PE) is a common type of sexual dysfunction that many men experience. Sexual dysfunction refers to any type of problem that prevents a couple from fully enjoying sexual activity.
It is estimated that approximately 30% of men between the ages of 18 and 60 experience Premature Ejaculation at some point. Infrequent episodes of Premature Ejaculation usually aren’t anything to be concerned about. However, if Premature Ejaculation episodes occur frequently or cause problems in your relationship, there are many effective treatment options available.
What is Premature Ejaculation?
Ejaculation is the release of semen from the penis during an orgasm. When ejaculation occurs faster than you or your partner would like, it is referred to as Premature Ejaculation (PE). Premature Ejaculation is also sometimes referred to as Rapid Ejaculation or Premature Climax.
What Are the Symptoms of Premature Ejaculation?
The main symptom of Premature Ejaculation is the regular inability to delay ejaculation for more than a minute after penetration during intercourse.
What Causes Premature Ejaculation?
There are often psychological or emotional components that can contribute to Premature Ejaculation. For example, poor self-esteem, stress, depression, or even worrying about ejaculating too early can all be contributing factors.
Physical conditions can also play a major role in Premature Ejaculation. If you have trouble getting or maintaining an erection because of Erectile Dysfunction, you may rush through intercourse so that you complete it before losing the erection. Additionally, hormone imbalance, such as Testosterone Deficiency, may contribute to Premature Ejaculation.
How is Premature Ejaculation Treated?
The first step to treating Premature Ejaculation is to speak with a Urologist to review your medical history, medications, and symptoms. Some of information you will want to share includes your sexual activity history, how long PE has been an issue, how often you experience PE, the length of time it takes before you ejaculate, and whether you experience “normal” ejaculation during intercourse.
Treatments Options Include:
Pelvic floor exercises
Certain muscle exercises such as male pelvic floor exercises may be helpful.
Decreased Sensitivity
Decreasing the sensitivity of your penis by wearing a condom during intercourse may help you maintain your erection longer without ejaculating.
Applying numbing agents directly to your penis prior to intercourse may also be a way to decrease sensitivity during intercourse.
Medications
- ED Medications
- If you are having difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, medications used to treat Erectile Dysfunction, such as Viagra, may help you maintain an erection, which could lead to delayed ejaculation.
- Other Medications
- Although there is no FDA approved medication indicated specifically to treat PE, urologists commonly prescribe other medications to treat premature ejaculation. These medications are generally intended to treat behavioral health disorders, but they have been effectively and safely used in lower doses to treat Premature Ejaculation. Examples of these medications are Sertraline (Zoloft) and Paroxetine (Paxil).
Dr. Jeffrey Steinberg is an expert in Male Sexual Health issues, specializing in Erectile Dysfunction. If you are suffering from an ejaculatory disorder, contact Urology Specialists of Milford to schedule an appointment with Dr. Steinberg in our Milford, MA office.
