Premature Ejaculation (PE)

Premature Ejaculation is defined as “Ejaculation that occurs sooner than desired causing distress to one or both partners^_.3

When men have asked me what the normal time is for sexual intercourse, my response is that each couple differs. Some couples are happy with a period of 5 – 10 minutes while others prefer longer sessions to enable both partners to climax.

There are two kinds of PE, primary and secondary. Secondary is where there is both an erection problem (ED) and PE and if this is your problem, please go to the section on ED as this will need to be treated first.

Primary PE has usually been present from a man’s first sexual experience. It is caused by an over sensitive glans or “head” of the penis⁴ (physical) and nervousness or tension while making love (psychological). PE is a common problem as verified by the following study.⁵

Age	Total=1243(%)
18-29	121 (30)
30-39	122 (32)
40-49	83 (28)
50-59	55 (31)

Overall we can conclude from this study that PE affects around 30% of the male population between the ages of 18 and 59.

PE can have the following affects on those who suffer from it:

* Distress, bother, dissatisfaction and anxiety between the patient and his partner
* Diminished self esteem and erosion of self confidence
* Reluctance in starting a new relationship
* Distress in not satisfying partner
* Embarrassment

In my experience, I have found that PE is usually a life long problem until some form of treatment is undertaken. In the long term, it can also cause erection problems.

3 Montague DK et al J Urol 200A 172:290

4 Xin et al: Penile Sensitivity in Patients with Primary PE

5 National Health and Social Life Survey Laumann et al JAMA, 281:540, 1999