The correct definition of Premature Ejaculation is: if a man ejaculates before penetration or lasts less than 2 minutes after penetration (all or most of the time), and/or if it leads to frequent dissatisfaction for him or his partner, he may have PE.
However, there are various other symptoms of Premature Ejaculation that can occur – especially if left untreated.
Risk Factors of Premature Ejaculation
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Mental Health Conditions: such as Chronic Stress
Symptoms of Premature Ejaculation
The main symptom of PE is the inability to delay ejaculation leading to quick or rapid ejaculation. This can lead to frustration and sexual dissatisfaction to all partner(s).
With sexual disorders or concerns in which sexual function or sexual performance is affected, there is a lack of understanding on how coping with it can be challenging. While the individual experiencing the symptoms can experience psychological affects, the partner(s) involved too, can be affected. Research published in the National Library of Medicine revealed that there was a relationship and interaction between PE and female sexual dysfunction.
This is not to say that every partner that is experiencing sexual Dysfunction will lead to their partner(s) experiencing the same. However, the fact is that all those involved can be affected.
Sexual Dysfunctions
Erectile Dysfunction: Premature ejaculation can lead to other sexual dysfunctions, if not treated – especially ED. Research from the National Library Of Medicine revealed that “the presence of PE, however defined, was associated with a significant increase in ED risk.” This reveals that the presence of PE in most cases can also result in the presence of Erectile Dysfunction. However, normal erectile function can resume when Premature Ejaculation symptoms are treated.
Performance Anxiety: Due to the psychological and physical stress placed upon “performing”, many individuals feel a mounted pressure to “last longer in bed.” The inability to delay ejaculation may lead to individuals feeling this same pressure of performing which can make PE symptoms worse such as involuntary ejaculation or ejaculation before time.
Low Sexual Desire: In most cases, PE symptoms are gone a while without being addressed, this could lead to individuals experiencing these symptoms to have a low desire to have sex. They could lose interest due to the lack of sexual satisfaction or the fear of not being able to please their partner(s).
Mental Health
Depression
Stress
Anxiety
Frustration
When To See A Doctor
If you are experiencing concerns with time to ejaculate, or feel as though you may not be experiencing normal ejaculation, we encourage you to speak to a professional as soon as possible.
Premature Ejaculation is a common sexual dysfunction, and contrary to popular belief, it is treatable. There are various treatment options available for premature ejaculation:
Topical Anaesthetics
These help in mild numbing of the head of the penis to allow for the delay of ejaculation
Oral Medications
Antidepressants: Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors or SSRIs
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5)
Analgesics
Lifestyle Changes
Kegel Exercises
Pelvic Floor Muscles Exercises
Psychological Counselling
Premature ejaculation can be caused or lead to mental health concerns such as depression or anxiety. While you are being treated for the possible physical factors of premature ejaculation, therapy will help you gain understanding of the psychological factors and the behavioural techniques or behavioural methods that will help improve both your quality of life and sexual satisfaction but that of your sexual partner(s) as well.
Psychological therapy can involve:
Couples therapy: to help build intimacy within your sexual relationship
Individual sexual therapy: learning to build control over ejaculation
Understanding of lifestyle exercises to help improve pelvic floor muscles or smooth muscle strength such as the squeeze method or pause squeeze technique, and the stop-start method.
Help in building communication between partners: this could give couples a better understanding of intimacy and foreplay – hours before sex or minutes before sex. Your sex life is important.
There is a stigma associated with sexual health or sexual dysfunction, however, a conversation with a sexual health expert or health care provider can significantly help. While there is a fear of invasive treatments, or not gaining back control of ejaculation – we’re here to fix that.
The treatment approach is determined based on holistic evaluation – it could be a therapeutic approach via a mental health provider, behavioural therapy, oral medicative treatment such as treatment with SSRIs etc. In every way, however, your ejaculatory dysfunction can and should be treated. Effective treatment is possible and you can always discuss your progress or future treatment options or your previous treatments with you doctor.
