Premature Ejaculation Causes and Symptoms

Premature ejaculation happens when a man has an orgasm sooner than he or his partner would like. Premature ejaculation can happen before or shortly after penetration. Some men ejaculate as soon as foreplay starts. Others lose control when they try to insert their penis, while some ejaculate very quickly after penetration. Whatever the case, premature ejaculation can create tension between a man and his partner.

Premature ejaculation is a common sexual complaint. Estimates vary, but as many as one out of three men may be affected by this problem at some time.

Both psychological and biological factors can play a role in premature ejaculation. Although many men feel embarrassed to talk about it, premature ejaculation is a common and treatable condition.

CAUSES OF PREMATURE EJACULATION

We now know premature ejaculation is more complicated and involves a complex interaction of both psychological and biological factors.

PSYCHOLOGICAL CAUSES:

Some patients believe that early sexual experiences may establish a pattern that can be difficult to change later in life, such as: 

• Situations in which you may have hurried to reach climax in order to avoid being discovered.

• Guilty feelings that increase your tendency to rush through sexual encounters.

Other factors that can play a role in causing premature ejaculation include:

• Erectile dysfunction. Men who are anxious about obtaining or maintaining their erection during sexual intercourse may form a pattern of rushing to ejaculate which can be difficult to change.

• Anxiety. Many men with premature ejaculation also have problems with anxiety either specifically about sexual performance, or caused by other issues.

• Relationship problems. If you have previously had satisfying sexual relationships in which premature ejaculation happened infrequently or not at all, it's likely that interpersonal issues between you and your current partner are contributing to the problem. 

BIOLOGICAL CAUSES: 

A number of biological factors may contribute to premature ejaculation, including:

• Abnormal hormone levels.

• Abnormal levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.

• Abnormal reflex activity of the ejaculatory system.

• Certain thyroid problems.

• Inflammation and infection of the prostate or urethra.

• Inherited traits.

RARELY, PE IS CAUSED BY:

• Nervous system damage resulting from surgery or trauma.

• Withdrawal from narcotics or a drug called trifluoperazine (Stelazine) that is used to treat anxiety and other mental health problems.

Although both biological and psychological factors likely play a role in most cases of premature ejaculation. 

SYMPTOMS OF QUICK DISCHARGE

The primary sign of premature ejaculation is ejaculation that occurs before both partners wish, causing concern or distress. However, the problem may occur in all sexual situations, even including during masturbation.

Premature ejaculation is characterized by:

• Ejaculation that always or nearly always occurs within one minute or less of vaginal penetration.

• The inability to delay ejaculation on all or nearly all vaginal penetrations.

• Negative personal consequences, such as distress, frustration or the avoidance of sexual intimacy.