Common Causes of Premature Ejaculation

Colloquially known as 'coming too soon', the condition of reaching climax before a man wishes to or soon after penetration is known as premature ejaculation' or PE in medical terms. One in three men ejaculates sooner than he or his partner would like, making this condition indeed very common. Most of the time, this problem is occasional and not a cause of concern but unfortunately for some men it becomes persistent and as a result, bothersome and distressing. PE not only complicates conception but also leads to dissatisfaction in both partners, which may cause marital strife, low confidence in men and in worst case scenario, separation or divorce. If you are one of the one in three men suffering from this sexual problem, you first need to determine the exact cause of it; once you do that, finding the right treatment will be easy for you.

Common causes of premature ejaculation

In the past, it was believed that ejaculation problems are 'all in the mind' or psychological in nature. But further scientific studies have shown that some physical and biological factors are also responsible for this condition. Many doctors believe that this condition is an acquired behaviour learned through years of hurrying into sexual acts to avoid being caught. Performance anxiety and troubled sexual history can also lead to this condition. Erectile dysfunction, nervous system damage from surgery or trauma and prostate inflammation and infection are physical causes of premature ejaculation. Research has discovered that abnormal levels of chemicals in brain, known as neurotransmitters, are also found responsible for causing premature ejaculation. Let's find out more about these causes in detail:

Physical causes

• Erectile dysfunction: Men suffering from erection problems find it hard to get and maintain an erection. So if they get an erection, they are in a hurry to reach climax before they lose it. This 'hurrying' becomes a habit and men unwittingly fall prey to premature ejaculation.
• Hypersensitivity of the penis: Some men have an oversensitive penis, making them feel more sensation even on minimum stimulation, which results in a faster build up of orgasm leading to premature ejaculation.
• Hyperspasticity of the pelvic muscles: Research undertaken in the early 1990s (has) indicated that when the pelvic muscles, specifically the muscles surrounding the penis, are unusually sensitive, men become prone to PE.
• Inflammation and infection of the prostate or urethra: Early ejaculation is a common symptom of prostate inflammation and infection. Many men diagnosed with prostate problems have problems with ejaculation such as quick, delayed or unsatisfactory ejaculation.
• Damage to nervous system by surgery or trauma: Any physical injury caused by surgery or trauma that affects the nervous system can lead to PE.

Psychological causes

• Performance anxiety or 'nerves': Young and inexperienced men who are new to sexual activities, men with a new partner, men with erection problems and men having sex after a long time tend to be nervous or anxious about their performance. This performance anxiety can lead to PE.
• Stress and depression: Stress and depression can wreak your sex life. These psychological problems not only cause premature ejaculation but also a range of other health and sex-related problems.
• Relationship problems: Interpersonal issues can make men prone to early ejaculation as they don't tend to indulge in foreplay or prolong sexual intercourse, making PE a habit. Also the constant stress about relationship status can lead to sexual performance problems.
• Guilt: Young men often feel guilty when masturbating or indulging in one night stands. The 'guilt factor' also comes in the picture when a man is involved in an extramarital affair. When a man is feeling guilty, he tends to rush into the sexual act and finish it quickly. This eventually leads to PE.

Biological causes

• Abnormal hormone levels: From the erection through to ejaculation, hormones play an important role in your sexual performance. Under normal circumstances, the hormones are released slowly into your blood stream and your hormones inform your brain to stimulate your penis. As the sexual act progresses and stimulation increases, the levels of hormones increase until you ejaculate. When a man is suffering from PE, the body produces too much hormone and too fast.
• Abnormal levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters: Recent scientific studies have shown that certain neurotransmitters in the brain are responsible for ejaculatory problems. Low levels of a neurotransmitter, serotonin, in brain can lead to early ejaculation.
• Abnormal reflex activity of the ejaculatory system: ejaculatory reflex, like the sneezing reflex, is partially under voluntary control. When men have little or no control on this reflex, they suffer from ejaculatory problems.
• Certain thyroid problems: Hypothyroid causes PE in 7% men while hyperthyroid causes PE in 50% of the men.

Other causes

Certain medications, such as cold medications containing pseudo ephedrine, are responsible for causing early ejaculation. In rare cases, a drug called trifluoperazine, used to treat mental conditions such as anxiety, can also lead to rapid ejaculation.

Possible treatments to aid premature ejaculation

Treatment for PE is decided by a doctor only after determining the cause of your condition. If he suspects that the cause of your condition is psychological, he will ask you to seek counselling. If he feels that your hormone or thyroid levels are ruining your ejaculatory reflexes, he will ask you to undergo a medical treatment for it.