Premature ejaculation
Globally, 25 to 40% of all men, in all age groups, suffer from premature ejaculation.
Premature ejaculation is the lack of the control reflex that leads to ejaculation. The causes are not completely known, but it is most likely a complex interplay between nerves, signalling substances and genitals combined with hereditary factors.
What we consider to be normal is difficult to pinpoint as there is so much variation between different people both in terms of sexual endurance and the type of sex you enjoy. But to put things in a context; a recent study with 474 randomly selected men in five countries have concluded that the median time spent until ejaculation during vaginal penetration was 5 to 6 minutes.
How an individual assesses the time spent on sexual activity is of course important in order to be able to determine whether an ejaculation is perceived to occur prematurely. But a common factor in those men who suffer from this condition is that the ejaculation occurs without their control and too quickly for the sex to be experienced as satisfactory for him and/or his partner. A more objective definition that does not take the partner into account, is that premature ejaculation occurs within one to two minutes after penetration. To be defined as premature ejaculation, other criteria also need to be met, such as it occurs in the majority of all intercourses and that the problem persist over a longer period of time.
Premature ejaculation is one of the most common sexual dysfunctions in men and affects between 25 and 40% of all men worldwide. The occurrence of premature ejaculation appears to be constant in all age groups and is not affected by the aging process (International Journal of Impotence Research, issue 18, 2006). In the most severe cases, the men cannot complete penetration at all but ejaculate due to only light stimulation.
In the latest survey of the Swedish population’s sexual habits conducted by the Swedish Public Health Agency during the previous twelve months, 18% of men answered that they had experienced premature ejaculation.
Common Causes
Heredity. Likely, genetic factors are one of the causes of premature ejaculation.
Diseases such as neurological illness or disorders of the thyroid gland. Type 2 diabetes patients run a 40% higher risk of suffering from premature ejaculation (International Journal of Impotence Research, edition 18, 2006).
Psychologically related causes such as stress and depression as well as anxiety over sexual situations.
Consequences of premature ejaculation
Premature ejaculation may lead to a dip in self-esteem, difficulty relaxing during sex and diminished satisfaction with one's sexual partner. Partners to men with the problem state similar experiences. In the most severe cases, premature ejaculation can affect the ability to conceive. (McCullough et al., McCullough AR, Bull S. Relationship of self-diagnosed premature ejaculation to other indicators of male sexual function. J Urol - AUA Annu Meeting 2004; 171: 233–234.)