The ABC's Of Premature Ejaculation

 
Premature ejaculation (PE) is the most common male sexual disorder. One study suggests that at the very least one man in five suffers from this problem. Other studies show that as many as 40% of men experience this most difficult problem. Defining premature ejaculation has produced some disagreement over the years. Definitions have slowly been reformed until the current definition has been adopted by the American Urological Association. It states that "premature ejaculation is ejaculation that occurs sooner than desired, either before or shortly after penetration, causing distress to either one or both partners."
 
HOW DOES PE INTERFERE WITH A RELATIONSHIP
 
Of course the most important aspect of this definition is the stress that begins to interfere with the normal marital sexual relationship. When either the man, woman, or both are continually disappointed with sexual intercourse; it can create an atmosphere filled with guilt, anxiety, anger, and misunderstanding. Naturally this is unhealthy, and it turns the sex act into something far less than what it is capable of being. Either partner is apt to withdraw from sex due to the bad feelings that can result from premature ejaculation. A man begins to think something is wrong with himself, and a woman feels that her mate does not care and is being selfish and self centered.
 
There has been no study to date that adequately measures the effect of PE on a marriage. It is a difficult thing to calculate particularly since men are very guarded and unlikely to tell anyone that they are suffering with PE. It would not seem very "manly" to tell a buddy that you come to quickly and cannot sexually satisfy your mate during intercourse. Because men are not at ease talking about PE, it is difficult to know just how many men suffer from this problem. It is nearly impossible to calculate the effect that PE can have on the relationship. There is no question that if the male suffers from PE, the relationship can become extremely strained. Certainly many divorces and break ups have occurred over PE.
 
HOW DOES EJACULATION OCCUR
 
Ejaculation is a reflex. A man has no control over it once it begins. It is just like when the doctor taps your knee with a reflex hammer. No amount of thinking or concentrating can prevent your lower leg from springing forward when the tendon is struck in the correct spot. It is the same with orgasm. Once a man is sufficiently aroused both physically and psychologically, the reflex that causes orgasm occurs. It begins with thoughts that arouse the man. This is followed by sexual contact and feelings of pleasure. It culminates when the reflex begins with orgasm. It orgasm occurs too quickly it is then called premature ejaculation.
 
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE PE
 
There is no test to determine if you have PE. You must go back to the American Urological Association's definition. Only you can decide if the speed with which you ejaculate causes distress for you or your partner. If you decide that you have PE then it is important to know that there are possible remedies for you.
 
CAN I BE HELPED
 
The methods by which the medical profession can help men with PE are threefold. The first thing is behavior and psychological modification. The second is drug therapy. The third is a combination of the first two. Behavioral therapy involves sessions with both partners with instructions about learning to delay ejaculation through trial and error techniques. There are a number of techniques all of which are aimed at raising the threshold for the man. The techniques often involve stopping intercourse or masturbation before the man has reached the point of orgasm thus allowing the man to settle down without losing his erection. Stimulation is then started again until the man nears orgasm once again. This start and stop technique is practiced over and over until a man improves his ability to recognize the point at which there is no stopping his orgasm. This behavioral approach requires that the woman be very cooperative and highly sensitive to the man's sexual disorder.
 
There is a large group of medications that come from a class of drugs called SSRI's. These drugs are used to treat depression. One of the potential side effects of these drugs is delayed orgasm. Therefore many men who suffer with PE can be helped with SSRI's. A prerequisite to this is that the man is able to be open and honest with his physician as these are prescription drugs.

A new method gaining some favor is one that involves a nutritional approach. This is favored by many men because they do not have to share their embarrassment with another person, and they can order discretely from their home. There are a number of products available that are all capturing on the notion that SSRI medications raise the level of a chemical called serotonin. There are nutritional ways to raise this chemical.
 
ARE THERE ANY OTHER THINGS I CAN DO
 
The use of a rubber or condom can make the penis less sensitive, and this can help some men delay ejaculation. There are also creams or jellies that have an anesthetic agent in them like lidocaine. These make the head of the penis called the glans penis less sensitive. Although these items make the glans less sensitive, they also make sexual intercourse less pleasurable since it is all about sensitivity and full awareness of the feelings being produced.
 
Lastly, PE seems to improve with the aging process. It is not clear whether men learn to control their orgasm or if they are simply less aroused due to falling testosterone levels. The science behind why PE occurs in the first place leaves much to be desired. Likewise the reason that it seems to improve with advancing age is just as evasive.
 
CANT I JUST USE VIAGRA, LEVITRA, OR CIALIS
 
These medications are for an entirely different problem. These medications are for men who cannot get an erection when they want to have sexual relations. This sexual disorder is called erectile dysfunction or ED. These men are either unable to get a good firm erection or keep a good erection that allows them to perform sexually. Naturally some men who have ED are able to get erections from time to time. Others are unable to get an erection at all. ED is a problem that usually develops later in life after the age of 45 to 50. Studies show that almost half of all men above the age of 50 suffer from ED. 85% of these men can be helped with ED medications.