PREMATURE EJACULATION

General Information

DEFINITION--Male orgasm and ejaculation following brief sexual stimulation, prior to satisfactory arousal and orgasm in the sexual partner. This is a common disorder affecting all age groups and usually caused by psychological problems.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Brain and central nervous system; reproductive system.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Male adolescents and adults.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Repeated episodes of premature ejaculation.
• Feelings of self-doubt, inadequacy and guilt.

CAUSES

• Poor relationship or communication with the sexual partner.
• Fear of impregnating the partner.
• Fear of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
• Anxiety about sexual performance.
• Cultural or religious conflicts.
• Belief that sex is sinful or dirty.
• Rarely may be due to underlying neurological disorder (e.g., prostatitis).

RISK INCREASES WITH--Listed with Causes.

HOW TO PREVENT--See suggestions in General Measures.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of signs.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Any laboratory test results are usually normal, since most males with this problem are healthy individuals.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment, if self-help measures fail.
• Counseling from a qualified sex therapist if other methods are not successful.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Low self-esteem.
• Damage to marital or interpersonal relationships.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Usually curable in most people within 6 months after recognition and treatment.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES----The following methods are recommended by sex researchers and therapists Masters and Johnson. These measures usually lead to ejaculatory control for 5 to 10 minutes or longer:

• Sensate-focus exercises, in which each partner caresses the other's body without intercourse to learn relaxed, pleasurable aspects of touching.
• Mutual physical examination of each other's bodies to acquaint both partners thoroughly with anatomy. This helps reduce shameful feelings about sex.
• Stop-and-start technique, in which the man is stimulated through controlled intercourse or masturbation until he feels an impending ejaculation. Stimulation is stopped, then resumed in 20 to 30 seconds.
• Squeeze technique, in which the woman squeezes her partner's penis with her thumb and forefinger when he feels an impending ejaculation. When ejaculatory feelings pass, intercourse is resumed. This is repeated as often as necessary until the man can control ejaculation to the satisfaction of both partners.

MEDICATION--Medicine usually is not necessary for this disorder.

ACTIVITY--No restrictions.

DIET--No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

You have had repeated episodes of premature ejaculation and want professional guidance to solve the problem.