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What is Premature Ejaculation?
When a person with a penis orgasms, semen is released from their penis. This process is known as ejaculation. So, as the name suggests, premature ejaculation (PE) is when someone ejaculates sooner than they (or their partner) would like or expect them to.
You should keep in mind that it is normal for our levels of arousal to fluctuate from time to time. If you have ejaculated earlier than you usually do only a few times, it might be because of your libido on that specific day and you have nothing to worry about! However, if ejaculting early is a pattern for you, you might be experiencing premature ejaculation.
PE is a sexual disorder, and a quite common one, too. Studies suggest that almost one in three men aged between 18 and 59 has experienced PE at some point in their lives. Depending on its occurrence, PE can be categorised into two types:
- Lifelong (primary) PE: This means you have had trouble with ejaculating all your life, or ever since you had been sexually active.
- Acquired (secondary) PE: This, on the other hand, signifies that PE is a later occurrence in your sexual life. Before experiencing PE, you did not face any significant concerns when it came to ejaculating.
Wondering if you might have PE? Check out the symptoms listed below.
What are the Symptoms of Premature Ejaculation?
Some of the most common signs of PE include:
- Inability to delay your ejaculation or climax
- Short-lived penetration (if you are confused about this, you can ask your partner if they feel you are ejaculating too soon during sex)
- Orgasming too quickly while masturbating
Remember, there is no set time for orgasming during both solo and partnered sex. But if you feel dissatisfied with how long you can hold an erection before ejaculating, it might be PE.
What Causes Premature Ejaculation?
Now that you know about the symptoms of PE, it is time to look into its causes.
Most reasons behind PE are psychological, such as:
- Body image issues
- Depression
- Excessive stress
- Anxiety about sexual inexperience
- Relationship problems
- Past sexual trauma
Besides these, certain physical factors can also cause PE. For instance, if you are unable to maintain an erection due to erectile dysfunction (ED), it might lead to early ejaculation. You can read more about ED here.
Another factor that can contribute to PE is hormonal or chemical imbalances, such as unusual levels of testosterone and/or certain neurotransmitters in your body. Further, any injuries or inflammations in and around your urethra or prostate can also trigger PE.
Can Premature Ejaculation be Treated?
Just like people with ED can have satisfactory sexual experiences, anyone experiencing PE can also lead a happy and healthy sexual life. Simply put, yes, PE can be treated! In some cases, introducing a few changes in your sexual routine might help. These changes can be:
- Do your homework: If you know you will be having sex later, masturbate earlier on the same day to release any anxiety or nervousness you might be having about your ability to climax.
- Try the start-and-stop method: This strategy is quite similar to edging. Ask your partner to stimulate your penis (and other erogenous zones, if you’d like) until you feel like you are about to orgasm. Then, have them stop and indulge in other forms of foreplay. Repeat this 2-3 times. After that, proceed with penetration and let yourself ejaculate.
Research shows that this helps you gain control over how and when you ejaculate.
- The squeeze method also works: Another method you can incorporate into your sex routine is the squeeze method. For this, ask your partner to stimulate until you are about to orgasm (just like mentioned above). Next, they should squeeze your penis until the erection weakens.
This way, you would be able to focus on the sensation of the orgasm without worrying too much about ejaculating.
Other than these, pelvic floor exercises (like kegel) and certain medications (such as sildenafil and tadalafil) can prove to be effective too. At the end of the day, your doctor would know the best, so be open during the consultation to come up with the best treatment plan!
Finally, please remember that penetration is not everything. In fact, pleasurable sexual encounters do not even need to include penetration! Openly communicate with your partner about what you expect from sex and what challenges you might be facing. Explore other forms of sex, like oral sex, hand jobs, or mutual masturbation, with your partner. You can also introduce a variety of sex toys and see what works best for the both of you!
Need Help?
In case you are experiencing PE or any other concerns regarding sexual health, don't worry. Rocket Health has you covered every step of the way! Our team of medical professionals provide you with a safe space to discuss your concerns, devise the right treatment, and maintain complete confidentiality. Fill this form out to get started today!
You can also join our free community to ask questions and seek support anonymously.
