Premature Ejaculation – What It Is, What It Isn’t

Sunday, May 16th, 2010 at 12:39 pm

Premature ejaculation (PE) is probably the most common sexual dysfunction in men aged younger than 40 years . Getting a solid definition of what actually constitutes premature ejaculation can be a little elusive though most professionals who treat PE define it as the occurrence of ejaculation prior to the wishes of both sexual partners . This broad definition thereby avoids quantifying an exact duration for the sexual act and reaching orgasm , which is variable and depends on numerous factors specific to those engaging in the sexual act. An occasional instance of premature ejaculation may not be an issue , but, if the problem occurs in more than 50% of attempted sexual relations, then treatment of the condition may need to be considered .

To clarify, you might reach orgasm after 7 minutes of intercourse , but this is not premature ejaculation if your partner reaches her climax in 5 minutes and both of you are satisfied with the timing. Another male might delay his ejaculation for up to 30 minutes, yet he may consider this premature if his partner , even with foreplay, requires 40 minutes of stimulation before reaching orgasm . If thrusting is the primary method of sexual stimulation and the male comes after 25 minutes of intercourse and then loses his erection, then satisfying his partner (at least with intercourse), who needs 40 minutes to reach climax , is nigh on impossible.

As many women are actually unable to reach climax at all with vaginal intercourse (no matter how prolonged ), this situation may actually represent delayed orgasm for the female partner rather than premature ejaculation for the male; the problem can be either or both, depending on the point of view.

The human sexual act can be divided into 4 stages : desire (libido), excitement (arousal), orgasm and resolution . The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) classifies sexual disorders into 4 categories: (1) primary, (2) general medical condition–related, (3) substance-induced, and (4) not otherwise specified. Each of the 4 DSM-IV categories has disorders in all of the 3 initial sexual phases.

Premature ejaculation can be classified as either primary or secondary . Primary PE applies to men who have had the condition ever since they became capable of functioning sexually (i.e. since puberty ). Secondary PE refers to situations where the condition began in an individual who previously experienced an acceptable level of control over his ejaculatory reflex , and for unknown reasons , has begun experiencing premature ejaculation later in life. With secondary premature ejaculation, the problem does not relate to a medical disorder , and it is usually not related to substance inducement, although, rarely , hyperexcitability might relate to a psychotropic drug and resolves after the drug is withdrawn.

Premature ejaculation fits best into the category of not otherwise specified because nobody really knows what causes it, although psychological factors are suggested in most instances .

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