Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation or fast ejaculation is the most common sexual health issue and there is no reason to be embarrassed about it. Ejaculation is the release of semen from the penis following sexual climax. Ejaculation usually happens simultaneously with orgasm, but it is important to note that orgasm and ejaculation are two different processes and some men experience orgasm even though they don't ejaculate.

It is also important to remember that everyone is different, so what seems to be sexually pleasurable to one person, may not be sexually pleasurable to another. Also not all women enjoy prolonged sexual intercourse, they can get dry and it can become painful.

Longer sex does not mean better sex.

There are various factors that can contribute to Premature Ejaculation and some medical treatments may be effective. It can also have a number of consequences, including a major impact on a man's emotional well-being. Men tend to feel less confident, frustrated, ashamed, embarrassed and disappointed. Additionally, it can greatly affect their relationship and sexual encounters. Therefore counselling and sex therapy is often suggested in order to address these issues.

Definition of Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation (PE) is also known as rapid or fast or early or involuntary ejaculation.

It is defined as persistent or recurrent ejaculation with minimal stimulation, either before, upon or shortly after penetration and before a person wishes it. This disturbance causes distress and interpersonal difficulties and can lead to decreased satisfaction to either one or both partners. It is now also recognized that ejaculation happens with little or no voluntary control.

4 Criteria Involved in Diagnoses?

1.   Ejaculatory Latency Time [ELT]

• Ejaculatory Latency Time measure the time it takes for ejaculation to occur after penetration
• For men with female partners this Ejaculatory Latency Time is called Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time [IELT], which measures the time it takes for ejaculation to occur after vaginal penetration.
• With Premature Ejaculation, ejaculation tends to occur just on or before penetration or within 1 or 2 minutes after penetration
• A man's time to ejaculate varies throughout his life and can be influenced by various factors, such as; levels of excitement, levels of anxiety, a new partner, new sexual activity/position, level of sexual experience, the length of time from the last ejaculation, extent of foreplay, relationship/intimacy issues.

2.   Ejaculatory CONTROL

• It is important to remember that the problem with Premature Ejaculation is more about control than about duration. So it is about how much perceived control does a man have over his ejaculation.
• Men with Premature Ejaculation tend to have an inability to delay ejaculation associated with a lack of control.

3.   Dissatisfaction of Self and/or Partner

• Premature Ejaculation has negative affective consequences to either 1 or both partners. Examples of those consequences are distress, bother, frustration, sadness, anxiety, sexual dissatisfaction etc.

4.   Withdrawn from Partner

• Premature Ejaculation can result in avoidance of intimacy/affection, sexual intimacy and intercourse.

There are two different types of premature ejaculation:

• Primary (lifelong)
• Secondary (acquired)

Lifelong/Primary premature ejaculation is when a man has not had control of ejaculation from the time of his first sexual experience and it has been a persisting issue. If left untreated, the premature ejaculation will continue for the rest of his life.

Acquired premature ejaculation is usually when there has been a period of normal functioning before the premature ejaculation began.

Acquired premature ejaculation can arise due to:

• Medical conditions such as diabetes, erectile dysfunction, chronic prostatitis and an overactive thyroid.
• Psychological issues, such as relationship problems, anxiety, stress, sexual inexperience, infrequent sexual activity and loss of sexual interest of the partner.

Prevalence of Premature Ejaculation

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Premature Ejaculation is widely believed to be the most common male sexual dysfunction, it affects between 20% and 30% of men and affects men of all ages. Other less common ejaculatory disorders are delayed ejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, anejaculation and painful ejaculation.

Sex therapy and Relationship Counselling is available in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW) -  Melbourne, Victoria (VIC) -  Adalaide, South Australia (SA) -  Perth, Western Australia (WA) - Darwin, Northern Territories (NT) -  Hobart, Tasmania (TAS) - Brisbane, Queensland (QLD) - Canberra, Australian Capital territory (ACT)