Premature ejaculation (PE) occurs when you have an orgasm before or within a minute of beginning intercourse. There is no set time whenever a man should ejaculate throughout sex. 

It can be aggravating and even disappointing, but it is a frequent issue among men. It affects approximately 20% of people at some point in their lives. However, if it only occurs occasionally,  it’s probably nothing to worry about.

Causes and Risk Factors of Premature Ejaculation

The exact cause is not evident. However, your neurochemistry could be at least partly to blame. Men who have low levels of the chemical serotonin in their brains ejaculate more quickly.

Emotional Conditions that affect PE

Emotional factors may be involved:

• Stress/Depression
• Guilt
• Anxiety
• Relationship issues
• Lack of self-esteem or a negative body image
• Be concerned about your sexual performance
• Negative feelings toward the concept of sex (sexual repression)

Contributing physical conditions

PE can also be caused by some physical conditions, such as:

• Unusual hormone levels
• Neurotransmitter levels are out of whack.
• Prostate or urethral inflammation or infection
• Genetic inheritance

PE can occasionally be a problem for men with erectile dysfunction (ED) when the penis fails to remain firm enough for sex. Men who are concerned about losing their erection may cultivate the habit of rushing to ejaculate. It can be a difficult habit to break.

Premature ejaculation may disappear if the erectile dysfunction is treated. There are several medication options available.

Diagnosis of Premature Ejaculation

Your doctor will most likely begin by asking if you’ve always had the problem or if it’s something new. They may inquire about your sexual life or relationships, followed by a physical examination.

If your doctor suspects that emotional issues are causing your PE, they may refer you to a mental health professional or sex therapist. If a physical problem is causing it, they may direct you to a urologist.

Home Remedies and Treatments for Premature Ejaculation

Behavioral techniques that aid in the control of ejaculation benefit 95% of men.

• The Squeeze: It operates the same way as the start and stops method (see below). When you or your partner feels like you’re on the verge of orgasm, you or your partner squeezes the head of your penis until you lose the erection. Repeat several times before ejaculating.
• Stopping and starting: You or your partner stimulate your penis until you feel like having an orgasm. Stop the arousal for about 30 seconds or until the sensation goes away. Restart the stimulation and repeat three or four times more before ejaculating.

Some men discover that if they think about something else while having sex, they can last longer. If those don’t work for you, you can try the following:

• Muscle strengthening: Weak pelvic floor muscles can contribute to PE. Kegel exercises may be beneficial in strengthening them. Stopping your urine in midstream will help you find the right muscles to tighten. Hold them for 3 seconds, then release them for 3 seconds. Repeat this ten times, at least three times per day.
• Wear a condom: It may desensitize you sufficiently to allow you to last longer.
• Get busy before you “get busy”: Masturbating a few hours before sex helps some men maintain control during intercourse.
• Seek counseling: A psychologist or psychiatrist can assist you in dealing with issues such as depression, anxiety, or stress that may be contributing to your PE.

Try Some Medications:

If none of these remedies are effective, your doctor may discuss medication with you. While no drugs are primarily approved to treat PE, medications used to treat other conditions may help in some cases. This is referred to as off-label use.

Off-label medications include:

1. Sprays or creams with lidocaine and prilocaine  such as this delay spray

2. Antidepressants off-label – Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as escitalopram (Lexapro), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), or fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)

3. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. These medications are used to treat erectile dysfunction, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra), and can help in some cases, usually combined with an SSRI.

Complications of Premature Ejaculation

If your relationship is being harmed by PE, talking about it is an essential step. A sex therapist may be helpful as well.

Premature ejaculation could also make it very difficult to start families because the sperm may not reach an egg to fertilize it, or depression caused by PE may impair your overall sexual performance. A fertility specialist can discuss other options with you and your partner.