Premature Ejaculation: Myths and Facts

Fact: Premature ejaculation does exist as a clinical diagnosis, but it is not a disease or illness. The causes of premature ejaculation are still unknown, but it is most often considered to be the consequence of psychological issues, rather than physical ones.

Fact: The only way to truly control ejaculation is to learn to pay more attention to your body, not less. While the “distraction” method may work for some people some of the time, it isn’t a solution, since it takes you away for experiencing sexual pleasure. Most men can learn to both experience full sexual pleasure and control ejaculation, it just takes practice.

Fact: No one is born with the ability to control ejaculation. It seems likely that early masturbatory experiences, and sexual experiences with partners may play a role in what a man’s sexual response is like, and how aware he is of ejaculatory control, but ejaculation is an automatic response, and sort of like urination, the only way to control it is to learn how.

Fact: The definition of premature ejaculation does not include a specific time limit. It is usually defined as premature ejaculation when ejaculation consistently occurs before both partners are sexually satisfied

Fact: Premature ejaculation may be the most common male sexual dysfunction. According to the National Health and Social Life Survey (NHSLS) 30% of men live with premature ejaculation. You probably do know at least one, if not several, men who have experienced premature ejaculation. But very few men ever talk about it.

Fact: There are several very successful ways of treating premature ejaculation. In most cases men can learn to control ejaculation without drugs or medical intervention.

Fact: Behavioral methods to treat premature ejaculation are very effective. They also have the benefits of increasing your understanding of your own sexual response, and of increasing sexual communication with your partner. There are currently no FDA approved medications to treat premature ejaculation.

Published February 12, 2006.