The information in the article is provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms of a disease appear, you should consult a doctor.

Insufficient duration of sexual intercourse due to excessively rapid ejaculation in a man is a common intimate problem that at least episodically affects every fifth man. But only a few men who suffer from early ejaculation consult a doctor, although in most cases the problem is solvable.

Why does premature ejaculation occur?

The duration of sexual intercourse decreases in all men in the case of prolonged abstinence from sex — this is a normal physiological reaction during arousal. Therefore, if, after a long period of sexual rest, a man experiences isolated episodes of excessively rapid ejaculation, this is not a reason to worry. This effect is temporary, and with shorter intervals of abstinence the duration of intercourse will become usual again.

You should be concerned if premature ejaculation does not resolve even with regular and measured sexual activity. It can be triggered by both physiological and psychological factors. The latter include stress (which provokes an adrenaline surge), overwork, and the presence of internal fears and complexes.

Physiological factors are very diverse — premature ejaculation can be caused by:

  • excessive sensitivity of the glans penis;

  • anatomical features of the genital organ (phimosis, short frenulum, curvature);

  • inflammatory processes in the urogenital tract (prostatitis, urethritis, infectious lesions);

  • spinal cord damage (for example, as a result of spinal injuries);

  • the presence of tumor processes;

  • endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, changes in the hormonal background).

The problem can also arise with the use of alcohol, narcotic substances, and certain medications.

Diagnosis of premature ejaculation

Men with premature ejaculation do not always realize that there is a health problem. The situation is complicated by inaccuracies in defining the duration of normal sexual intercourse — a number of researchers consider a duration of less than six and a half minutes to be insufficient.

Modern diagnosis of premature ejaculation establishes a pathology in the following cases:

  • ejaculation occurs in the first minute of sexual intercourse;

  • the duration of sex does not change when the situation changes (no periods of abstinence, change of partner, etc.);

  • the duration of intercourse increases when using lubricants or special wipes with an anesthetic;

  • there is no ability to control ejaculation;

  • a negative emotional background after sexual intercourse.

To diagnose the causes of the problem, the urologists at the Oxford Medical clinic have an entire set of tools:

  • laboratory tests — to search for signs of infectious and inflammatory processes;

  • biothesiometry — measurement of penile sensitivity;

  • Doppler ultrasonography of the penile vessels — an ultrasound study of blood flow in the vessels of the penis;

  • ultrasound of the prostate gland — to rule out prostatitis and prostate adenoma.

If the causes of premature ejaculation lie outside the urological sphere, the doctor prescribes consultations with relevant specialists: neurologists, endocrinologists, and other experts.

Treatment of premature ejaculation

The treatment method depends on the cause that triggered premature ejaculation; therefore, in most cases, therapy requires a strictly individual approach.

If the problem is triggered by psychological factors, psychotherapeutic methods are used, which consist in identifying and neutralizing fears. In addition, the patient is taught special techniques that promote control over the process of achieving orgasm. Antidepressants, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and medications that relieve nervous tension may be prescribed.

If anatomical features are present, they are corrected. In phimosis and a shortened frenulum of the glans penis, circumcision is performed; in Peyronie’s disease (curvature of the penis due to the growth of fibrous plaques), a special operation is also performed.

If the patient suffers from increased sensitivity of the glans due to excessive innervation, selective surgical denervation is performed — part of the nerves responsible for the sensitivity of the glans are removed. As a result, the patient’s penis becomes less sensitive, and more time is required to achieve ejaculation.

If the problem is caused by infectious or inflammatory processes or endocrine pathologies, medication is prescribed to eliminate these diseases. With their elimination, in most cases, the man’s sexual function is restored. Antibacterial and antiviral drugs can be used to treat infectious diseases. Inflammatory processes are relieved by taking anti-inflammatory agents and undergoing physiotherapy procedures.

Endocrine or neurological pathologies are managed with the participation of the appropriate specialists — an endocrinologist and a neurologist.

Prevention of early ejaculation

In most cases, the development of premature ejaculation can be avoided — it is enough to monitor the health of the body as a whole and men’s health in particular.

The first condition is regular annual examinations by a urologist for all men over 25 years of age, which should be carried out even in the absence of any complaints or alarming symptoms. This makes it possible to detect urological diseases at the earliest stages and treat them before damage is done to the sexual sphere.

The second condition is timely treatment of detected diseases. If you have been given a urological diagnosis or you notice signs of urological disorders (increased frequency of urination, pain during urination, cloudy urine, pain in the pelvic area or genitals), you must consult a urologist and undergo diagnosis and treatment.

No urological disease resolves on its own — they only pass into a chronic stage and worsen. And even if the patient feels temporary relief, over time it will be replaced by an even more severe exacerbation. The more advanced the disease, the longer and more expensive the treatment will be, and the higher the risk of complications.

The third condition is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Physical exercise to offset the consequences of sedentary work, moderation in food, and limiting bad habits will help maintain the general condition of the body at an appropriate level.

The fourth condition is measured sexual life. Long periods of sexual abstinence, as well as sexual excesses (excessive sexual activity), do not benefit men’s health.

The fifth condition is maintaining the psycho-emotional state at an appropriate level. The psyche, like the body, requires regular hygiene: a measured work schedule, absence of stress, and consultations with a psychotherapist during prolonged depression or anxiety are just as important for a full sexual life as maintaining physical health.

Related services:

Urologist consultation

Sources:
US National Library of Medicine
ScienceDirect
Nature.com