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What Is Premature Ejaculation?
Premature ejaculation (PE) is when a man ejaculates prematurely, notably before his partner would want him to. It is different from case to case, with some men ejaculating within one minute and some perhaps sooner or slightly longer. That’s why it is typically defined by how it affects sexual performance and satisfaction for the man and his partner.
There are two phases of ejaculation:
Phase 1: Emission
Emission is the process where sperm travels from the testicles to the prostate. Once there, it combines with seminal fluid to form semen. The semen moves through tubes called the vasa deferentia (the singular form is vas deferens), which connect the testicles to the prostate and the base of the penis.
Phase 2: Expulsion
Expulsion happens when muscles at the base of the penis contract, pushing semen out through the penis. This is typically when ejaculation and orgasm (or climax) occur together, though some men experience a climax without ejaculating. After this phase, the erection usually subsides.
The process is the same for those who have issues with premature ejaculation; the expulsion phase simply happens much quicker. It is often not a medical concern, and if it occurs only occasionally, it is known as “rapid ejaculation”. However, if it is consistent and damaging your relationships, seeing a premature ejaculation specialist is worth considering.
How Common Is Premature Ejaculation?
Premature ejaculation is one of the most common sexual dysfunctions, affecting around one in 50 men in England. Some men develop the condition as early as puberty or later in life. However, men over 40 years old seem to suffer from it more regularly. It is estimated that approximately 20%-30% of men have a problem with premature ejaculation at some point in their life.
People dealing with PE shouldn’t feel ashamed, as both physical and psychological factors can cause it. Exercises can help, and medications are available if necessary, whether it occurs frequently or infrequently. Seeking the advice of a professional should be the first step if PE is affecting your life.
Book an appointment today if you are experiencing premature ejaculation. Our friendly team of specialists are here to help.
What Are the Symptoms of Premature Ejaculation?
Premature ejaculation can have physical and psychological symptoms, with the psychological being the most harmful. Generally, the only physical symptoms are as follows:
- Rapid ejaculation: Ejaculation occurs with minimal stimulation, often before or shortly after penetration.
- Inability to delay ejaculation: A consistent lack of control over the timing of ejaculation during sexual activity.
- Ejaculation before the desired time: Happens either during foreplay or very early into intercourse.
- Decreased sexual satisfaction: For both the individual and their partner, often due to the brief duration of intercourse.
For most men, it is mental health that can be the most affected by PE. This is because emotional health is very complex and, if left untreated, can evolve and develop in uncertain ways. As we’ve noted further below, the symptoms of PE are closely linked to its causes. If not addressed, the issue can create a cycle where the psychological and physical aspects of the condition feed into each other, making it harder to overcome. The types of mental health issues caused by premature ejaculation are:
- Anxiety: Often related to performance or fear of disappointing a partner.
- Stress: General or relationship-related stress can exacerbate symptoms.
- Low self-esteem: Feelings of inadequacy or embarrassment about sexual performance.
- Guilt: Over not meeting personal or partner expectations during intimacy.
- Depression: Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, sometimes linked to relationship strain.
- Frustration: Due to a lack of control over ejaculation.
- Avoidance of intimacy: Fear of embarrassment may lead to avoiding sexual encounters.
- Obsessive thoughts: Constant worrying about performance or timing during sex.
We understand this is a difficult topic for anyone struggling with PE. Thankfully, there are effective treatment options available if PE is the root cause of mental anguish. However, if you are having emotional difficulty, always consult with your GP about your mental health and available support.
What Causes Premature Ejaculation?
Premature ejaculation is most effectively managed when the underlying causes are identified. Just as the symptoms can stem from various factors, the root causes of premature ejaculation can be physical, psychological, or a combination of both. Understanding these triggers allows for a more tailored approach to treatment, ensuring the specific needs of each individual are addressed.
By pinpointing whether the issue is related to physical health, emotional well-being, or even lifestyle habits, the path to improvement becomes much clearer and more achievable.
Physical Causes of PE
- Diabetes mellitus
- Prostate disease
- High blood pressure
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid hormone)
- Use of recreational drugs (i.e. cocaine, ecstasy)
- Alcohol in excess.
Psychological Causes of PE
- Depression and anxiety
- Unresolved problems, conflicts or issues within a sexual and emotional relationship
- A strict upbringing where sexual activity is considered only appropriate in marriage and for procreation
- Early sexual experience (where a teenager conditions himself to ejaculate quickly to avoid being caught masturbating)
- Previous traumatic sexual experiences.
Repeated episodes of PE can lead to frustration, low self-esteem, and even relationship strain, further amplifying the problem. Over time, this cycle can exacerbate the emotional and physical challenges, making timely intervention crucial for breaking the pattern and restoring confidence.
Living with Premature Ejaculation
Living with premature ejaculation can be distressing, but it’s important to remind yourself it’s a common problem and premature ejaculation treatment normally resolves it.
Where possible, it’s important to talk about how premature ejaculation makes you feel and to be open and honest with your partner (and doctor) about your difficulties. It can also be helpful to look into ways of reducing the anxiety, stress and worry you feel about it before you try medication.
Diagnoses for Premature Ejaculation Treatment
Diagnosing the specific cause to provide effective premature ejaculation treatment will require a consultation during which your sexual life and the issues you face will be discussed. Your medical history will be reviewed to ensure there are no possible underlying health conditions that may need to be addressed or medications that could be changed to resolve the problem.
When you struggle with getting an erection, maintaining an erection and premature ejaculation, blood tests may be required to check if testosterone replacement therapy (TPT) is needed for low testosterone levels. Depending on the suspected causes of your premature ejaculation, you may be referred to a urologist or a mental health practitioner.
Is Premature Ejaculation Curable?
In almost all cases, premature ejaculation treatment in the UK can have lasting results. This treatment may involve support from a mental health practitioner, behavioural techniques, pelvic floor exercises, or medication. When stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health issues contribute, you may be recommended to attend counselling.
More Information
What can I expect during a consultation for premature ejaculation at Harley Street MD?
During your consultation at Harley Street MD, a doctor for premature ejaculation will assess your symptoms, medical history, and relevant factors to understand the causes of your condition. This personalized approach helps determine the best treatment plan tailored to your needs.
What treatments are available for premature ejaculation at Harley Street MD?
Harley Street MD offers a variety of treatments for premature ejaculation, including behavioural therapy techniques and tailored approaches to address the physical and psychological aspects of the condition. Your treatment plan will be designed based on your specific needs and circumstances.
How does Harley Street MD approach PE treatment?
At Harley Street MD, we provide a comprehensive approach. At our premature ejaculation clinic, specialists focus on understanding the root causes, using personalized care plans to enhance control over ejaculation and improve sexual satisfaction.
Before seeing a specialist, you can try pelvic floor exercises or the stop-start technique. You will likely need to do three or more sets of 10 cycles of pelvic floor exercises daily for at least two weeks before you start to notice any results. There are also simple adjustments like avoiding unhealthy diets and alcohol and using a condom. Here are the techniques you can try at home and with your partner.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
- To find your pelvic floor muscles, stop urinating midstream. Or imagine you are trying to stop yourself from passing gas.
- To start, practice while lying down. Once you have mastered the exercises, you can also do them while sitting and standing.
- Breathe and don’t hold your breath. Tighten your pelvic floor muscles, count to three and then relax, counting to three again. Repeat this cycle 10 times.
- Focus on your pelvic floor muscles by placing a hand on your stomach to avoid flexing your abdominal muscles. Don’t clench your buttocks or thighs.
Medication is sometimes necessary to break the cycle and to give you back control of an active and enjoyable sex life. While seeking professional help may be intimidating, it’s often needed to successfully move past the issue. Medical professionals, doctors and practitioners will have treated many other men with the same problem, so it is nothing to feel worried or embarrassed about.
Stop-Start Method
During intercourse or masturbation, when you start to feel the urge to ejaculate, gently squeeze the head of the penis or the base of the shaft to help delay the urge to ejaculate.
- Pause: When you feel yourself nearing the point of no return, signal your partner or simply pause the activity. Take a few deep breaths and focus on relaxing.
- Resume slowly once the urge subsides: This break helps reset your body’s arousal level and allows you to regain control.
- Repeat as necessary: You can continue the Stop-Start technique multiple times throughout a session, gradually extending the duration of the pauses and the intervals between them as you become more comfortable.
Choosing the Right Premature Ejaculation Treatment Options
The inability to control and delay ejaculation for as long as both partners desire is usually regarded as a severe disruption to quality of life and, therefore, requires professional intervention. Premature ejaculation can be very distressing and confidence-destroying — and over time, it can damage intimacy and relationships. It can also create extreme performance anxiety during sexual activity, leading to it happening more frequently.
At Harley Street MD, we can assess your situation to identify the causes of premature ejaculation. By discussing your symptoms, medical history, and relevant factors, we can get a clearer understanding of what might be contributing to the issue. If necessary, we can prescribe medication tailored to your specific needs to help improve control over ejaculation and enhance sexual satisfaction.
Premature ejaculation treatment can help boost confidence and self-esteem and enhance sexual pleasure and intimate relationships. There is rarely a need to undergo surgery. We offer premature ejaculation treatment at our clinic in London to help you find the non-surgical solution you need. Before any tests or medical prescriptions, we will discuss the various options available.
Many men find it extremely difficult to break this vicious cycle without any professional help. When left untreated, premature ejaculation can lead to feelings of shame, frustration, and lack of self-esteem or avoiding sexual intimacy altogether. Premature ejaculation treatment can be obtained from your GP or our team of private men’s health experts led by Dr Chia Tan at Harley Street MD in London.
We have years of experience diagnosing and providing successful premature ejaculation treatment in the UK. Together with you, we’ll work out the best plan of action to effectively resolve and address the problem. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking with your GP, we can assure you of an empathetic, confidential and professional consultation.
