Premature ejaculation is one sexual health issue that many couples
have had to deal with in recent times. But it is also an issue that is rarely
discussed even by those genuinely suffering from it and this has given rise to
misconceptions of what quick ejaculation really is and what it is not. There is
this over-bloated claims, most times not true, of men who can go on for as long
as thirty minutes or one hour and more on top of a woman; and when someone who lasts
for just five minutes hears of such claims, he thinks he is suffering from premature
ejaculation. But is that really the case? What in fact is premature
ejaculation?
A study involving 500 couples found the average time for
ejaculation was about 5-and-a-half minutes after starting sex. International
guidelines define premature ejaculation as regularly ejaculating within 1
minute of entering your partner.
However, it's up to you and your partner to decide if you're
happy with the time it takes you to ejaculate. If ejaculation times are causing
you persistent distress then it's a problem that can be helped with treatment.
There are 2 types of premature ejaculation:
- primary premature ejaculation – where you
have always had the problem
- secondary premature
ejaculation (or "acquired premature ejaculation") – where you
recently developed the problem
The causes of primary premature ejaculation are often
psychological, such as having a traumatic sexual experience at an early age.
Secondary premature ejaculation can be caused by both psychological and
physical factors. Physical causes can include drinking too much alcohol
and inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis).
If your premature ejaculation is caused by a physical
condition, treating the underlying condition should help.
Treating premature ejaculation caused by psychological
factors can be more challenging. But most men who persevere with treatment find
the problem resolved at the end of the day.
There are a number of
self-help techniques you can try before getting medical help.
These include:
- using
a thick condom to help decrease sensation
- taking
a deep breath to briefly shut down the ejaculatory reflex (an automatic
reflex of the body, during which you ejaculate)
- having
sex with your partner on top (to allow them to pull away when you're close
to ejaculating)
- taking breaks during sex and distracting yourself by thinking
about something completely different
You may also benefit immensely
from having a couples therapy where you
will be encouraged to explore issues that may be affecting your sexual life and
be given advice on how to resolve them. You may be shown creative techniques
that can help you "unlearn" the habit of premature ejaculation.
Sexual dysfunction in various forms, including premature
ejaculation, is often shrouded in mystery for many people—and it’s not because
of a lack of scientific research.
This topic is usually swept under the rug since many
men would rather uphold their sexual dignity than admit that they aren’t at
their sexual A-game.
Unfortunately, this topic avoidance casts unfounded
speculation and misinformation about genuine sexual health concerns in these
men.
On top of that, there’s also a high prevalence of men
suffering from sexual dysfunction around the world. For instance, premature
ejaculation has a prevalence rate of 30% in men, the highest percentage in terms
of sexual dysfunction prevalence rates, considerably more than erectile
dysfunction and low testosterone.
With such a large number of men suffering from this
condition, a handful of which are doing so in silence, it’s vital to dispel any
myths and unfounded “truths” about the subject to prevent any harmful
assumptions from forming.
There are many myths and misconceptions about
premature ejaculation (PE).
Myth
#1: Only inexperienced men can suffer from premature ejaculation.
False. There’s a pervading stereotype that it’s only the
young and naive who experience bouts of premature ejaculation. They may feel
that rush of excitement and can’t help but orgasm a bit too soon for their
partner’s liking. However, this phenomenon isn’t only limited to the young and
inexperienced.
The first myth that needs to be dispelled is that
premature ejaculation is a one-time occurrence. This, however, is untrue. Premature
ejaculation is a medical condition that happens when a man consistently fails
to control his ejaculation over six months. The severity
differs from man to man, however, it’s often considered suitable for medical
evaluation if it causes significant distress to the man and his partner.
With this new definition, it’s noted that men of all
ages can have premature ejaculation. While older men are susceptible to
erectile dysfunction and delayed orgasm at a higher relative frequency compared
to younger men, it’s still a non-zero possibility for them to come down with
this condition.
Myth
#2: You have to learn to control your orgasm.
Generally, true. While delaying an orgasm isn’t easy for men
suffering from this condition, there are methods and techniques, as explained
earlier, you can apply to help you control your orgasm better.
Myth
#3: Premature ejaculation is independent of erectile dysfunction.
False. While these two sexual dysfunction conditions
present themselves differently, there is an established connection between PE
and ED. In one recent study, people with premature
ejaculation have a fourfold risk of developing erectile dysfunction.
One significant contributing factor to this is aging.
Men over the age of 60 are at higher risk of developing a plethora of health
conditions, like diabetes and heart diseases. This can also spill over to their
sexual health, and it’s not an impossible occurrence for them to have
multi-dimensional sexual health conditions.
Another contributing factor is the mental state of the
patient, as people suffering from mental health disorders like anxiety and
depression are also at risk of developing both symptoms.
Myth
#4: Premature ejaculation is always a psychological problem.
False. While psychological factors can certainly
contribute to PE, they are not always the root cause. There are two types of
premature ejaculation that men can suffer from, and it’s important to
distinguish them as while they may present similar symptoms, the treatment for
each type will vary.
These types are:
- Primary premature ejaculation: Often
caused by psychological factors like performance anxiety or a history of
sexual abuse.
- Secondary premature ejaculation: Often a
result of physiological factors or underlying health conditions, like
excessive alcohol consumption or prostatitis.
In some cases, PE may be caused by physical factors
such as an overly sensitive penis or hormonal imbalances. In these cases, it’s
important to address the root cause of the condition to treat premature
ejaculation.
But quick ejaculation is not the only sexual issue faced by
couples. Delayed ejaculation, even though it is not as common as quick
ejaculation, is also a problem in the bedroom. Delayed ejaculation — sometimes
called impaired ejaculation — is a condition in which it takes an extended
period of sexual stimulation for men to reach sexual climax and release semen
from the penis (ejaculate). Some men with delayed ejaculation are unable to
ejaculate at all.
Delayed ejaculation can be
temporary or a lifelong problem. Possible causes of delayed ejaculation include
certain chronic health conditions, surgeries and medications. Treatment for
delayed ejaculation depends on the underlying cause.
It's normal for men to have delayed
ejaculation from time to time. Delayed ejaculation is only a problem if it's
ongoing or causes stress for you or your partner.
Some men with delayed ejaculation
need 30 minutes or more of sexual stimulation to have an orgasm and ejaculate.
Other men might not be able to ejaculate at all (anejaculation).
But, there's no specific time
that indicates a diagnosis of delayed ejaculation. Instead, you are probably
experiencing delayed ejaculation if the delay is causing distress or
frustration, or if you have to stop sexual activity due to fatigue, physical
irritation, loss of erection or a request from your partner.
In conclusion, it can be said
that what matters is the satisfaction of the couple and not the duration of the
sexual intercourse. Whether premature or delayed, it only becomes a problem
when it is causing distress in the man or the woman or both. So long as a man
can sustain an erection for up to three minutes and above, there is really
nothing to bother about.
