Premature Ejaculation

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How is premature ejaculation diagnosed?

The average time before ejaculation during sexual activity differs for sufferers. Whilst some men are capable of lasting for longer than 30 minutes before climaxing, others may ejaculate in only eight to 15 vaginal thrusts. Because it depends so much on personal experiences and expectations, it is difficult to determine the cut-off point for men who suffer from premature ejaculation and those who don't.

As a general rule, experts in the medical profession consider that premature ejaculation occurs when men reach climax in less than two minutes. Asking your doctor for a routine check-up or completing an online consultation can determine whether you may be suffering from this condition.

What are the causes of premature ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation can result from psychological, physical or lifestyle factors, or in some cases a combination of all three. Major psychological causes are stress, a lack of confidence, guilt and anxiety. Men who are sexually inexperienced are more prone to psychologically caused premature ejaculation, however, this is likely to improve as they become more sexually confident.

Physical causes such as neurological related problems, vascular conditions, spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis can also play a large part in causing an early climax. More often than not, these problems are a symptom of an unavoidable circumstance, such as a medical condition. The intake of alcohol, drugs and nicotine are all preventable causes of premature ejaculation. These poor lifestyle habits may, if continued, lead to permanent problems later in life.

How can premature ejaculation be treated?

Before you settle on a treatment you need to consider what might be causing your problem. The best way to do that is to ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the problem due to psychological factors or a combination of psychological and physical factors?
• Is the problem lifelong or have you been experiencing it recently?
• Do you regularly suffer from premature ejaculation or is it situational?

If you're still having difficulty finding your cause, take an online consultation with us and one of our doctors can diagnose your condition in the strictest of confidence.

Couples therapy can benefit those who are in a long-term relationship. You and your partner are encouraged to explore any issues that may be affecting your relationship, and receive professional advice about how to resolve them. You can also learn techniques that can help counteract premature ejaculation such as the ‘squeeze technique' and the ‘stop-go technique'. You can also pay privately for sex therapy, which can cost around £40 a session.

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have also been used as unlicensed alternative treatments for premature ejaculation. Although their primary function is to treat depression, their effects have been known to increase the time before ejaculation so that men can achieve longer-lasting sex. Some short-acting SSRIs have been manufactured specifically to treat premature ejaculation, although they are not currently licensed for use in the UK or available on the NHS.