Highlights
- Medical conditions that cause premature ejaculation (PE) include prostate disease, diabetes, and thyroid disease.
- Any medical cause of PE must be diagnosed and treated for PE treatments to be most effective.
- Other physical, psychological, and environmental factors also contribute to the development of PE.
- Identifying and treating underlying causes of PE may not be enough to resolve symptoms.
- Treatments with medications, such as Viagra and Cialis, can help men with PE have more satisfying sex lives.
Medical conditions that cause premature ejaculation (PE) include diabetes, prostate disease, and thyroid problems. Other psychological, environmental, and physical factors may also play a role in developing PE. These underlying conditions have to be treated or ruled out as part of the treatment for premature ejaculation.
What is Premature Ejaculation?
Premature ejaculation (PE) is a type of sexual dysfunction in men. It happens when a man climaxes and ejaculates during sex sooner than preferred. It can lead to feelings of embarrassment and negatively affect the quality of sex for both partners.
It’s not uncommon for men to experience at least one episode of PE over the course of a lifetime; premature ejaculation is the most common sexual problem reported by men. When PE happens more frequently or is having a negative impact on their sex life, men need to seek treatment.
Men may receive a diagnosis of PE if they:
- Ejaculate within one minute of penetration every time or nearly every time they have sex
- Can’t delay ejaculation during sex most of the time or always
- Avoid sexual intimacy because of feelings of frustration, embarrassment, or distress
Types of Premature Ejaculation
Premature ejaculation is classified into two main types: primary and secondary. Primary PE, also known as lifelong premature ejaculation, happens in men who suffer from PE in nearly every sexual encounter since they became sexually active.
A diagnosis of acquired premature ejaculation, also called secondary PE, is given to men who develop ejaculatory problems after having previous sexual experiences without problems. Men with either type of PE can experience issues in any sexual setting and may also experience PE while masturbating.
Both types of PE are treatable, and any man experiencing symptoms of PE in more than half of their sexual encounters should seek medical advice. A doctor can diagnose and treat any underlying condition causing PE in addition to treating the PE itself.
Medical Conditions That Cause Premature Ejaculation
Some medical conditions create biological changes that impact sexual health and function. Conditions that may cause premature ejaculation include:
- Diabetes. PE is more prevalent in people with diabetes than the general population, possibly due to microvascular dysfunction or neuropathy.
- Prostate problems. Inflammation or an infection of the prostate or urinary tract can lead to PE and other sexual dysfunctions.
- Thyroid disease. Having a thyroid disease leads to abnormal hormone levels and sexual dysfunction. Men with an overactive thyroid, called hyperthyroidism, are more likely to experience PE than men with hypothyroidism.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic disease affecting the central nervous system. It can impact nerves throughout the body, including nerves located in the pelvis and related to sexual functioning.
It’s essential to identify and treat any underlying medical causes of PE. Without treatment for a person’s diabetes, prostate problem, or thyroid disease, their PE symptoms will not improve.
Other Factors That Can Cause Premature Ejaculation
Other factors that can contribute to PE include physical problems unrelated to a specific medical diagnosis, psychological causes, and environmental factors.
Physical Causes of PE
Some men suffer from PE because their penis is more sensitive to touch than the average guy. They become more easily overstimulated and excited, leading to premature ejaculation. Men’s weight is another critical factor, as being overweight or obese increases the risk of premature ejaculation.
Men are also more likely to develop PE if they suffer from another related physical condition, such as erectile dysfunction. The experience of having trouble getting or maintaining an erection can cause guys to rush through sex to finish before they lose their erection.
Read Erectile Dysfunction and Early Ejaculation: Are They Linked?
Psychological Causes of PE
Psychological causes of PE include depression, relationship problems or stress, and performance anxiety. Men may be more likely to experience anxiety and stress-caused PE at the start of a new relationship or if they’ve had sexual performance issues in the past. They may worry excessively or feel guilty that they can’t satisfy their partner.
Issues with body image and past sexual encounters can make men feel stressed or inadequate and limit their ability to relax during sex. Attitudes about sex from a man’s upbringing can also impact sexual performance and lead to PE.
Read Is Performance Anxiety the Cause of My Premature Ejaculation?
Environmental Causes of PE
Environmental causes of PE are external factors, as opposed to internal factors found in physical and biological causes. External factors that contribute to PE include the use of illicit drugs, intoxication from alcohol, and outside stress from peer pressure.
Men with PE may be suffering from a number of contributing factors. Getting a medical assessment can help men identify the causes of their PE and find treatments that work.
Effective Treatments for Premature Ejaculation
Treatment of PE depends on the causes for each patient. Those suffering from psychological causes may benefit from therapy or medications to treat anxiety, depression, and other mental conditions that cause PE. People with diabetes or other underlying medical conditions that contribute to PE also require further treatment.
Even after treating the causes, men may need medications aimed specifically at sexual dysfunction and premature ejaculation to deal with their PE symptoms. Medications such as Cialis and Viagra help treat PE symptoms and improve men’s quality of sex.
Cialis
Studies show that tadalafil, the generic equivalent of Cialis, is an effective treatment for PE. Men who used 5 mg of tadalafil a day were able to prolong sex, regardless of the causes of their PE. This medication is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, which promotes blood vessel dilation (vasodilation). It works quickly after being absorbed into your bloodstream.
Effects from this medication can last up to 36 hours, and it’s safe for men to take this medication daily to help with PE and other sexual dysfunctions.
Viagra
Viagra and its generic version, sildenafil citrate, was first used to treat men with erectile dysfunction (ED). Research shows that sildenafil citrate is also a safe and effective treatment for PE and more effective than paroxetine and squeeze-method treatments for PE.
A randomized controlled trial also shows Viagra increased perception of ejaculatory control and overall sexual satisfaction in men with PE.
Read Your Guide to Premature Ejaculation
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