Premature Ejaculation
Mens Health > Premature Ejaculation
Premature ejaculation has been called different names, such as rapid climax or early ejaculation. What is pretty clear about this condition is that it causes a man to ejaculate earlier than he or his partner would have preferred. In several cases of premature ejaculation, the man ejaculates within or after only a couple of minutes of penetration. In other cases, the man even ejaculates even before intercourse has a chance to begin. This failure to perform as expected has caused deep humiliation in some men.
Real concern, however, is only applicable to cases in which premature ejaculation regularly happens, because most healthy men will experience it at some point in their lives. In fact, this condition is pretty common. A lot of men had complained about it. As many as a third of all men has complained about premature ejaculation.
Types
Premature ejaculation has two major types: one experienced from puberty and one that has only been triggered when the affected person is already a grown man. As doctors would classify these two, the first one is called primary premature ejaculation, which suggests a lifetime condition, while the latter is called secondary premature ejaculation, which is an acquired form. The condition may also be viewed according to performance with sexual partners. Primary premature ejaculation is the inability to delay sexual gratification for all sexual partners. On the other hand, secondary premature ejaculation is acquired and has only started after a certain time. This means that the affected person has had satisfying sexual experiences with other partners but is not as successful with some partners or after a certain encounter.
Causes
Men who experience premature ejaculation are ashamed of the condition. Sometimes, they would rather not talk about it. However, it is good to delve into the causes of the condition to know if there are possible treatments that can cure it.
Unfortunately, the exact cause of the condition is not known yet. Initially, doctors believed the cause to be psychological. Now, however, they can see that is a more complicated combination of biological and psychological factors.
I- A Look at the Possible Psychological Causes
A. Sexual Patterns
Premature ejaculation may have been caused by practices that have led the affected to rush sexual gratification in order not to be discovered. There may also be feelings of guilt that lead the affected to actually psychologically want to speed up sexual gratification. The problem with sexual patterns as causes is that they can be very difficult to break, according to doctors.
B. Anxiety
Yet another psychological cause of premature ejaculation is anxiety. If a person is already anxious about his would-be performance during sex, he may actually not perform. The affected person may also not be necessarily anxious about sex itself. He may be anxious about other matters, such as work, finances, and the like, and cannot therefore focus on his sexual performance.
C. Relationship Problems
If the affected has a strained relationship with his partner, sex may not be as satisfying. Though the physical relationship is still ongoing, there may be issues that are still waiting to be addressed between the couple. This could be the reason behind the affected's secondary premature ejaculation, which may occur with a certain partner or during a particularly turbulent or problematic stage in the relationship.
D. Stress
Stress may cause people to experience sexual dysfunctions, such as premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.
II – A Look at Biological Causes
A. Erectile Dysfunction
Another condition, erectile dysfunction, may lead to premature ejaculation. Some men can become so excited about being able to achieve an erection that they may try to ejaculate as fast as they could before they lose that erection.
B. Other Underlying Physical Causes
A person suffering from premature ejaculation may have some underlying, untested physical conditions such as abnormal male hormone levels, thyroid problems and abnormal reflexes. Another possible cause is that he may have not the right amount of neurotransmitters. Infections or inflammations in the urethra or prostate could also be possible causes.
C. Genetics
It is very difficult to go against genetics, and yet inheritance could be the cause of premature ejaculation.
D. Trauma
Surgery or trauma may have caused damage to the nervous system, causing premature ejaculation. This, however, is a rare cause of the condition.
E. Withdrawal from Certain Drugs
This is yet another rare cause, but it does happen: withdrawal from mental health drugs may cause premature ejaculation.
Effects
Premature ejaculation can trigger a cycle of events. It may have been caused by psychological problems but may in turn cause further psychological problems, as a result. Whatever psychological problems that may have triggered the condition, it can definitely cause a strain in a relationship, especially if premature ejaculation is not a one-time occurrence.
The condition may also cause fertility problems because it may be difficult for fertilization to occur.
For men who are not in committed relationships, premature ejaculation could also cause low self-esteem. Some of them may no longer even pursue relationships for fear of being judged or as they imagine, mocked.
Doctor’s Appointment
The person suffering from premature ejaculation should get checked out properly by a GP or a urologist. This way, he can be given a definite diagnosis so that he can start getting some treatment.
Before heading over to the doctor’s clinic, however, he should prepare a list of his symptoms, a brief rundown of his sexual history, a list of his medical conditions and medications, a summary of his medical history, and some questions that he may want to ask the doctor.
The doctor will determine the possible causes of premature ejaculation based on the patient's sexual and medical history, as well as the medications that he is currently taking or has just stopped taking. The doctor’s appointment is the first step towards treatment.
Treatment
There are several available treatments for premature ejaculation. The one that a patient will get is the one that is most compatible to his condition and its causes. Usually though, a combination of not just two but more treatments is advised. Here is a look at the possible treatments.
I – Therapy
A. Sexual Therapy
This may be as simple as engaging in masturbation about an hour or two prior to intercourse. It helps the patient to practice techniques in delaying ejaculation. Another part of sexual therapy is forgoing intercourse and focusing on sexual foreplay. The couple should forget about penetration for a time. This will help the affected to relax because some pressure has been removed.
There may also be doctors who will recommend sexual techniques that may help, such as the squeeze technique. Basically, this technique requires the partner to squeeze the penis when it is about to ejaculate to prevent it from doing so.
B. Behavioral Therapy
Through behavioral therapy, the affected person can talk to a therapist about his fears and anxieties not just on sex but on other present worries that may have been preventing him from performing as he and his partner may expect or want. Couple’s therapy could also be a variation of this. The latter, however, also involves the partner in the sessions. Couple’s therapy not only aims to get to the cause of premature ejaculation but also to ensure that the relationship remains strong and empowered despite some sexual problems.
II – Medication
Medications may also seek to address premature ejaculation. Here are some of the possible prescription drugs that could be used to address the condition.
A. Antidepressants
Antidepressants may be prescribed simply because they delay orgasm. Delayed orgasm is actually a side effect of these drugs. However, the patient will have to contend with other possible side effects, such as dry mouth, nausea, and drowsiness. Decreased libido is another side effect that may not sound so good, considering the problem is sexual in the first place. Antidepressants have not been proven to cure premature ejaculation simply because it is their side effect that may cause the delay in orgasm and, in effect, ejaculation. The most popular medication could be Tramadol which is prescribed as a pain killer but takers have found it to be helpful in controlling PE. More on Tramadol can be found here.
B. Anesthetic creams
Topical anesthetic creams may be applied to the penis to dull the sensation on the area. The dull feeling is expected to delay ejaculation. The cream should be applied a few minutes before intercourse. The cream is then wiped off the area after the penis has become sufficiently numbed. However, men who have gone through such a treatment complained of decreased sexual pleasure because of the numbed feeling. Even female partners had reported their own decreased sexual pleasure because of lower genital sensitivity. Others even reported allergic reactions.
C. Alternative Medicine
There are some men who even resorted to some alternative medication. The problem with going this route is that many of these medications have not gone through proper clinical testing.
Premature ejaculation is a condition that often causes shame in men who are suffering from it. So, it is important that they are given enough emotional support. The partner could especially provide the much-needed support and understanding that can buoy the confidence of the affected. The causes of premature ejaculation may well be a combination of biological and psychological factors. There are no wonder drugs that can safely lift the condition away. Partners should understand the frustration associated with the condition and should try not to add to the pressure that is already there in the affected person’s mind.