Premature ejaculation is more common than most think. In fact, every man has ejaculated earlier than expected at least once in his life. So if this has happened to you, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. If you’re frequently finishing fast or soon after penetration, that’s premature ejaculation. You’re not alone.
Read on to learn more about premature ejaculation. What are the causes? What you can do to stop it and control when you orgasm.
Written by Rob Michaels
Updated 01/24/2019
THE ESSENTIALS OF PREMATURE EJACULATION
What is Premature Ejaculation?
According to the Urology Care Foundation, premature ejaculation (PE) is when ejaculation happens sooner than a man or his partner would like during sex.[1] It is the inability to control your orgasm with, either before intercourse begins, or shortly thereafter. The Mayo Clinic reports as many as 1 out of 3 men claim to experience PE, though estimates vary.[2]
This isn’t just about not lasting as long as you want, but orgasming too quick with very little stimulation. There’s a difference between having superior sexual stamina and true premature ejaculation. We explore more about exactly what premature ejaculation is, in the next section.
Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic Nervous System
Your body has three divisions of autonomous nervous systems. These include:
- The sympathetic nervous system – This is the hormonal response to stress. Your sympathetic nervous system activates in fight or flight type situations.[3]
. - The parasympathetic nervous system – This is the nervous system that controls autonomous bodily functions.[4] This includes your heart beat, your food digestion, breathing and other functions your body does without you even thinking about it.
. - The enteric nervous system – This is the nervous system responsible for coordinating your reflexes.[5]
It’s the moving from the parasympathetic (automatic bodily functions) to sympathetic (stress) mode that often leads to the inability to control ejaculation.
In a 2013 study published in Andrology, researchers note there must be a connection between sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve systems in the smooth muscles of the penis. Though this research was done on rats, scientists speculate these findings have similar physiological implications on human males.[6]
Causes of Premature Ejaculation
Premature ejaculation can be caused by psychological factors (such as anxiety), physiological factors (including abnormal hormone levels), or a combination of both. In fact, the psychological factors are usually at least part of the problem. It becomes a snowball effect.
- You ejaculate too quickly during one sexual encounter.
- The next time, you worry you’re going to ejaculate too quickly.
- This worry causes stress and anxiety.
- This stress and anxiety makes you unable to control your orgasm.
It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. Accoring to a 2016 study published in Translational Andrology and Urology, these snowball effects often include the development of performance anxiety, diminished self-esteem, and avoidance of sexual activity, among others.[7]
Keep reading, to learn more about these causes, to help you pinpoint where your issues may lie, so you can choose the best method to overcome your inability to control your orgasm.
How to Treat Premature Ejaculation
There are things you can do to address your inability to control your orgasm, from pelvic floor strengthening to climax control products to behavioral therapy. We’ll explore these methods in depth, in the following sections of this article.
In addition to manual exercises designed to help you overcome premature ejaculation, sex toys are a great way to practice sex. Some of the top male sex toys can help you feel more comfortable about your body. Keep reading, to learn more about the the causes of premature ejaculation and how you can overcome this sexual challenge.
Keep Reading: What Causes Premature Ejaculation?
References
[1] “What Is Premature Ejaculation?” Urology Care Foundation. Web. 24 Jan. 2019. Retrieved from www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/premature-ejaculation
[2] “Premature Ejaculation.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 16 May 2018. Web. 24 Jan. 2019. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-ejaculation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354900
[3] “Understanding the Stress Response.” Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School. 1 May 2018. Web. 24 Jan. 2019. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response
[4] “Definition of Parasympathetic Nervous System.” MedicineNet. Web. 24 Jan. 2019. Retrieved from https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4770
[5] “Enteric Nervous System.” Ohio River – New World Encyclopedia. 21 Nov. 2008. Web. 24 Jan. 2019. Retrieved from https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Enteric_nervous_system
[6] Hsieh, J-T., et al. “The Role of Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nerve Systems on the Smooth Muscle of Rat Seminal Vesicles – Experimental Results and Speculation for Physiological Implication on Ejaculation.” Andrology, vol. 2, no. 1, 2013, pp. 59–64., doi:10.1111/j.2047-2927.2013.00146.x.
[7] Althof, S E. “Psychosexual Therapy for Premature Ejaculation.” Translational Andrology and Urology. Aug. 2016 5(4): 475–481. doi: 10.21037/tau.2016.05.15
About Rob Michaels
Rob Michaels is the founder of PEGym.com and the author of the bestselling book, Penis Exercises: A Healthy Book for Enlargement, Enhancement, Hardness, & Health.
Rob Michaels has been featured in numerous media platforms, including Men’s Health, GQ Magazine, and Salon.com, among others. As a male enhancement expert, he has spent more than a decade researching different male enhancement techniques and reviewing products that men can use safely. He continually strives to develop effective programs that will help men gain confidence and a healthy sexuality by achieving their male enhancement goals.
10 Comments
I always came very fast with a new girl. Often was not fun for her.
However, after the first time or two, I could often last 30-40 minutes or till I started getting tired.
Sometimes it is just the anticipation that makes you cum. Wonder of anti-anxiety pill would have helped?
Married now and not a problem. Just passing along my own experience.
CCD – You’re correct. Sometimes the anticipation — and nerves — with a new partner can lead to ejaculating quicker than you had hoped. Developing confidence and comfort with a partner helps prevent the sympathetic nervous system (anxiety/stress driven) from taking over.
Great information regarding premature ejaculation!. It may be hard to decide what
routines to start and which products to use to prevent if we have not
a proper knowledge about it.Thanks for the wonderful article, it may
be very helpful for everyone who is conscious about.
I have always been self conscious about relationships, my life was shattered ever since Jane left me for another man due to unknown reasons. i swore to never love again. mum always advised me to move on, but i love Jane . Jane meant everything to me . i looked for means to bring her back and she never came back to me, i was asked to try a spell caster online. i tried a few but all proved abortive until i met osun temple. he is such a nice man , and he helped me bring back Jane in 4 days . Jane came back begging me to forgive her. Right now, we are both together growing stronger and stronger each day.
Thank me later
Thank you for posting this article. After over two years of serious PE I have received many benefits: over an inch in both length and girth and free from premature ejaculation! I will continue to make even more progress. Don
Hi Don,
Can you please tell me how you were able to achieve this? Im looking for the same results as you.
Thanks!
Hey Don, can you please specifically explain how you could cured from this problem ?
This is a good product. if anyone need to ttreat PE
Good general article. However, I wish you had not included Antidepressants as “medications” for treating premature ejaculation. It was an antidepressant that actually CAUSED my sexual dysfunction, including severe premature ejaculation. I haven’t taken it for four years and I still have the issue.
Great Article