AskMen.com wrote that premature ejaculation is defined by the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a persistent or recurrent ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation before, on or shortly after penetration and before a person wishes.
Premature ejaculation is a common sexual complaint according to Mayo Clinic. As many as one out of three men may be affected at some time. About.com said it’s also more common in younger men just learning about sex and men of all ages after long periods without sex.
Most cases of premature ejaculation don’t have a clear cause. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) stated premature ejaculation early in a relationship is most often caused by performance anxiety and too much stimulation. Guilt and other psychological factors may also be involved.
Other factors include erectile dysfunction, anxiety and relationship problems.
Mayo Clinic said biological factors may also contribute to premature ejaculation. These include abnormal hormone and brain chemical levels; abnormal reflex activity of the ejaculatory system and certain thyroid problems. Other possible factors are inflammation and infection of the prostate or urethra, and inherited traits. Rarely is it caused by nervous system damage or withdrawal from certain medications.
In many cases, premature ejaculation resolves on its own without the need for medical treatment, said WebMD.
AskMen.com wrote that for some, meditation, hypnosis or imagery exercises may help. Discovery Health expanded saying men can repeatedly focus on increasing erotic sensations as they approach orgasm. By increasing this awareness, they're better able to judge how close they are to orgasm and ejaculating.
Sexual techniques, medications and psychological counseling are other treatments.
Masturbation can help prevent premature ejaculation said About.com. By practicing alone, men get to know their feelings and sensations and gain confidence.
Specific sexual techniques may also help delay ejaculation. The "stop and start" method wrote NIH involves sexually stimulating the man until he feels he’s about to reach orgasm. Stop stimulation for about 30 seconds and then start again. Repeat this pattern until the man wants to ejaculate. The last time, continue stimulation until the man reaches orgasm.
About.com said the “squeeze” method involves squeezing (fairly firmly) the tip of the penis for 10 to 20 seconds when ejaculation is imminent, stop stimulation for about 30 seconds, then continue stimulation. This can be repeated until ejaculation is desired.
Medication such as a local anesthetic cream applied to the penis can reduce stimulation said NIH. Decreased feeling in the penis may delay ejaculation. About.com said thicker condoms can also desensitize and prolong the sexual act.
Antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may help because one of their side effects is to delay ejaculation said NIH.
Psychological counseling can help reduce performance anxiety or find effective ways to cope with stress and solve problems.
Sources:
Chaves, Dr. Hernando. "Tips For Curing Premature Ejaculation - AskMen." AskMen - Men's Online Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. http://www.askmen.com/dating/dzimmer/14_love_answers.html
"Discovery Health "Premature Ejaculation." "Discovery Health "Health Guides". N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2012.
http://health.howstuffworks.com/sexual-health/male-reproductive-system/premature-ejaculation.htm
Kennard, Jerry. "Premature Ejaculation." Men's Health - Health and Fitness Information for Men. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. http://menshealth.about.com/cs/stds/a/premature_ejac.htm
"Premature Ejaculation Treatments and Causes." WebMD Men's Health Center - Find men's health topics and information. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. http://men.webmd.com/tc/premature-ejaculation-topic-overview
"Premature ejaculation - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/premature-ejaculation/DS00578
"Premature ejaculation - PubMed Health." National Center for Biotechnology Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002492
"Ejaculation (physiology) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia." Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/181568/ejaculation
Reviewed March 21, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith