CAUSES AND TREATMENTS FOR PREMATURE EJACULATION
Premature ejaculation is one of the leading male sexual dysfunctions affecting about 30% of men of all ages regardless of race and socioeconomic group. This can be a temporary problem but in some men a life-long problem. PE is often is confused by physicians and patients to be erectile dysfunction (ED) for which treatment does not appear to reliably satisfy the patient.
Only 9% of men actually seek treatment from a physician for premature ejaculation. This occurs for two main reasons: (1) they’re embarrassed or (2) they don’t believe that physicians have anything effective to offer them. We’re here to make you comfortable and provide you with a safe, effective solution.
Causes of Premature Ejaculation
The exact cause of premature ejaculation is not well known and often varies from one man to another. Studies have shown a variety of factors alone or in combination may contribute to PE:
Psychological
Premature ejaculation can be caused by temporary depression, stress, or anxiety about a relationship, unrealistic expectations about performance, or a history of sexual problems.
Biological
A number of biological factors could be the cause of premature ejaculation including abnormal hormone levels, abnormal reflex activity of the ejaculatory system, hyperthyroidism, and inflammation or infection of the prostate or urethra.
Neurobiological
It is believed that the neurotransmitter serotonin (5HT) plays a central role in controlling ejaculation. It has been concluded that low levels of serotonin in specific areas in the brain could cause premature ejaculation. It has been shown that increases in serotonin levels can help delay ejaculation in some men.
Penile Sensitivity
Many physicians believe that penile hypersensitivity plays a predominant role in the ejaculatory response while others believe that PE is the result of a combination of multiple contributing factors. The success of topical medications provides strong reason to believe that penile sensitivity does contribute to premature ejaculation.
Treatments for Premature Ejaculation
We recommend that you visit us for evaluation as this a problem which may be evaluated and treated with a single office visit. This is especially true if you have “acquired premature ejaculation”, meaning that it has been occurring more recently versus a lifelong problem.
Behavioral Techniques
Some patients may want to start with some behavioral techniques such as the start/stop or squeeze methods. Generally, patients report limited satisfaction with these methods and often request some type of medication.
Topical Medications
Topical anesthetic medications are often the first course of action for premature ejaculation. They are effective, easy-to-use, cost effective, only need to be applied when you want to engage in sexual relations and have a negligible risk of significant side effects.
Our patients are having good success with a new product, Promescent®, from Absorption Pharmaceuticals, which provides improved ejaculatory latency (the time from penetration to ejaculation) and general satisfaction with the product.
Our office usually has Promescent available for purchase. For added convenience, you may go to premature ejaculation treatment where you can order Promescent and have it shipped to you in a discreet package.
Oral Medications
Some men respond well to low doses of the antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs increase the levels of serotonin in certain areas of the brain. During the treatment of patients with depression, it was discovered that many of them required longer periods of time to reach ejaculation. These medications require a prescription and are sometimes associated with a variety of side effects including fatigue,erectile dysfunction and dry mouth amongst others.
Additional Information
A comprehensive and well-organized resource is the “About PE” section of the Absorption Pharmaceuticals website. Click here >> premature ejaculation to read the materials along with links to websites and articles from a variety of reputable institutions including the American Urological Association and the International Society for Sexual Medicine.
