Premature Ejaculation

What is premature ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most frequently occurring male sexual conditions, estimated to affect approximately 30% of men in the UK. Medical professionals commonly diagnose PE as when a man ejaculates (orgasms) less than 2 minutes after initial arousal.

However, each individual will have different expectations of whether their ejaculation is premature, making the condition difficult to define. It doesn't matter what method of stimulation (penetrative, oral, etc.) causes your condition - PE is the diagnosis, and it is treatable.

PE is not to be confused with:

• Delayed ejaculation; an inability to ejaculate or climax, typically over 30 minutes
• Retrograde ejaculation; production of no semen or a small amount due to sperm travelling backwards

What are the causes of premature ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation can occur for a variety of reasons, categorised into psychological, physical or lifestyle factors:

Sexually inexperienced individuals are more prone to the psychological causes of PE, as are those who have had negative sexual experiences in the past. Stress, guilt and anxiety can also influence an individual's bedroom problems. Therapy and/or medications are often recommended to overcome psychologically induced PE.

Physical causes are often medical and involuntary. These include; neurological conditions, vascular conditions, spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Generally speaking, lifestyle factors are preventable causes of PE. These include:

• Alcohol
• Drugs
• Smoking (nicotine)
• Some prescription medications

If you believe that your prescription medication may be a cause of your PE, you should visit your GP for advice.

How can I prevent premature ejaculation?

Before beginning treatment, it is important to identify what is causing your PE. Depending on whether it is psychological or physical will affect what treatment is most effective.

Therapy is often recommended when PE is identified as psychological. In a professional setting, you (and your partner) will be encouraged to explore any issues that may be affecting your sexual performance, and receive advice about how to resolve them.

If the cause is found to be physical then prescription medication may be the best option for counteracting symptoms. Options include Priligy (an SSRI) and Emla Cream (a mild anaesthetic). However, these medications can also help men who suffer from psychological causes of PE.

How can I last longer in bed?

There are many ways to address PE. Simple lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking or reducing your alcohol consumption should help. Other methods include wearing a thicker condom, or using behavioural techniques; for example, the 'stop and squeeze' and the 'stop/start' methods. For extreme cases, surgical treatments are available, though all other options should be explored first.

How long should a man last in bed on average?

The average man will last between 4 and 11 minutes, with a median time of 6 minutes. However, it is important to note, age, lifestyle and preference play a part in what is considered 'acceptable' performance. Medical professionals generally consider a time significantly shorter than 2 minutes as indicative of PE.

What is the best medication for premature ejaculation?

Currently, the most popular prescription medications are Priligy (an oral tablet taken before sexual activity) and Emla Cream (currently off-label) which is applied before sexual activity to reduce sensation.

Priligy belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Although the primary function of SSRIs is to treat depression, by increasing serotonin, ejaculation can be delayed. Clinical trials have shown Priligy to increase sexual stamina by 200-300%.

In comparison, Emla Cream is a local anaesthetic cream that numbs the area of skin it is applied to. It is licenced for this use in the UK. However, due to its numbing effects, when applied to the glans penis it allows men to last longer before ejaculation. It should be noted that the use of Emla Cream for PE is off-label.

Is premature ejaculation a form of erectile dysfunction?

No. Though these conditions both impact an individual's sex life, they are distinctly different. Erectile dysfunction is an inability to achieve and sustain an erection for penetrative sex. PE is ejaculating (or climaxing) during intercourse earlier than is satisfactory.

Can I take Viagra for premature ejaculation?

No. Viagra is a treatment for erectile dysfunction. It helps men to achieve and sustain an erection but does not inhibit ejaculation. However, there are medications designed specifically for PE, such as Priligy and Emla Cream.

Will my PE orders be confidential?

Here at HealthExpress, we place great importance on our customers' privacy. All deliveries are made discreetly, to an address of your choice, and packaged plainly. If you have any more queries regarding our practices, feel free to give our Customer Service team a call on 0203 322 9966, Monday to Friday, 8 am-5.30 pm.