Premature ejaculation is common among men.

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a male sexual dysfunction concerned with the short time period in which a man ejaculates after stimulation or penetration – typically within one minute or less. This is a very common condition that affects as many as one in three sexually active American men.

Men with this condition may have inaccurate expectations regarding the typical time frame for a sexual experience. In reality, the average duration for human intercourse is generally between four and eight minutes. Sometimes, this information helps PE patients, however, the fact remains that most who seek treatment experience ejaculation within 15 to 120 seconds.

What are the risk factors for premature ejaculation?

Causes and risk factors for PE include:

Performance anxiety
Genetic disorders
Increased penile sensitivity
Nerve disorders
Issues with Seratonin receptors

Is PE a serious health problem?

Premature Ejaculation is not a serious medical problem, nor is it life-threatening. However, it can be very damaging psychologically, and it can cause significant relationship problems for the patient and their partner.

Treatment options for premature ejaculation

The treatment options for PE are varied. Basically, the goal it to ‘desensitize’ the penis. Treatment options can include:

Use of a condom during intercourse. Condom use reduces sensation during intercourse.
Squeeze technique – A technique of squeezing the blood out of the head of the penis (see below).
Topical desensitizing agents – Topical used to help desensitize the penis in order to prolong sexual activity.
SSRIs – A class of anti-depressant medications which have a side effect of delayed ejaculation.

The long-term outlook for premature ejaculation

The long-term prognosis for PE is typically very good. Statistics suggest that 80 to 90% of patients are treatable with one or more of the above therapies. There is a small percentage of patients that may not benefit from treatment.

The squeeze technique

The squeeze technique is a conservative treatment option that does not require medication. This technique involves sexual stimulation until the man recognizes that he is about to ejaculate. At this point, the man or his partner gently squeezes the head of the penis for approximately 30 seconds. Afterwards, stimulation of the penis is resumed. This sequence may be repeated by the person or couple until ejaculation is desired.

If you are experiencing premature ejaculation, or have questions, contact Urology Austin to schedule an appointment with one of our urologists.