Premature Ejaculation

What is it?

Premature ejaculation is a condition where men come too quickly during sexual intercourse. This is a problem typically found in younger men, but recent studies have shown around 30% of men suffer this problem at least once. It is impossible to determine the time by which ejaculation is deemed too quickly, with the average being around 6 minutes from penetration to ejaculation. However, it is up to the couple to decide whether ejaculation is occurring too quickly. Climaxing too early is also a problem that can affect females.

What causes it?

It is difficult to identify what the predominant cause of premature ejaculation is. However, this is a problem that lessens the older you get, possibly pointing to a lack of sexual experience being one reason. This is unsurprising due to the anxiousness and nerves that are likely to play a part in early sexual experiences, increasing the chances of losing control. This can affect men’s confidence and cause them feelings of meagreness. Some people believe alcohol can help but this only worsens the condition.

Can it be treated?

Most men find the more they have sex the more control they acquire over point of climax, but distraction techniques can be beneficial if the problem continues. Masturbating a couple of hours before sex, taking a break during sex, using a thick condom and having sex with the woman on top are good ways to treat the problem. For women who achieve orgasm too early, try taking part in other sexual acts with your partner, such as kissing, touching and oral. Reaching orgasm does not mean sex needs to end.

A local anaesthetic spray can improve the condition and is available from your local pharmacist. Couples therapy is another way to treat the problem, in which you can unearth any underlying issues affecting your relationship. Your therapist will also recommend self-help techniques, as described below:

• Squeeze technique – This involves the woman masturbating the man’s penis until he is about to reach climax, when the man then signals for her to stop. The woman then squeezes the head of the penis for about 15 seconds, stopping for a further 30 seconds, before repeating the process several more times before the man ejaculates. This method should see your condition improve with time.
• Stop-go technique – This is similar to the squeeze technique, but does not involve the woman squeezing the head of the penis. Once the man feels confident you can try having sex. Try stopping and starting during sex if you feel you are about to climax too early.