Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a real medical condition that refers to a man ejaculating sooner than his partner would like him to ejaculate.  Many times PE is confused with ED, which is erectile dysfunction and is an all together separate issue.  ED is when a man cannot gain or maintain an erection.

Premature ejaculation can also be referred to as rapid ejaculation, early ejaculation, or premature climax.  The medical community has recognized several definitions over the years, but most now agree that premature ejaculation occurs when a man’s early ejaculation during sexual intercourse interferes with the emotional well-being of one or both partners.

By this definition, there is no specific time that a man “should” last during sexual intercourse.  For example, by this definition PE is not defined by climaxing within one or two minutes of vaginal penetration.  In order for premature ejaculation to occur, it must “interfere” with “one” or “both” partners’ emotional well-being.

If you are a male who ejaculates within 30 seconds of vaginal penetration, however, both you and your partner feel that you have a healthy, enjoyable sex life, then you do not suffer from PE.  However, if you are a man who lasts 15 minutes, but either you or your partner continually feel unsatisfied emotionally after intercourse, and this interferes with your emotional well being, then you may suffer from premature ejaculation.

The medical community agrees that it is less about the amount of time you last and more about emotional well-being for a man and his partner.

The Science of Ejaculation

When a man reaches climax during a sexual encounter he ejaculates.  The physical act of ejaculating involves two parts:  1.  Emission and 2.  Expulsion.

The emission phase is the first phase and it involves depositing seminal fluid into the posterior urethra.  In laymen’s terms, semen is moved into position before it shoots out of the penis.

The second phase is expulsion.  This involves the contractions that force the semen out of the man’s penis.

The important thing to understand about this process is that ejaculation is a reflex.  Once sufficient stimulation has been reached, then a man will ejaculate.  He cannot control it once it begins.  This is the same as when a doctor taps your knee during an examination to test your reflexes.  Your leg jerks up when he taps on your knee with his rubber hammer.  You cannot control it.

Ejaculation is a reflex that you cannot control.  So, if a man wants to last longer, then he must delay the reflex from happening, which he can do.

Just as your leg would not jerk if the doctor delayed from tapping on your knee; a man can last longer if he can delay the ejaculatory reflex from triggering.

Serotonin and Premature Ejaculation

There have been studies that suggest that there is a chemical in men’s brains that can lead to premature ejaculation when it consists in low levels.  This is a neurotransmitter called serotonin.

In the 1970’s there was a group of drugs invented called SSRI’s, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors.  They functioned by increasing the amounts of serotonin and were found to help people who suffered from depression.

An interesting side effect of SSRI’s was that many men began reporting to their physicians that they were lasting longer during sexual intercourse.  Over the years this led to more research in the medical community on serotonin and premature ejaculation.

Today, many physicians will treat men suffering from premature ejaculation with SSRI drugs, however, many men do not want to take these medications for the fear of side effects.

Alternative Remedies to Delay Ejaculation

There are now alternative, herbal remedies that are believed to work in a similar fashion as SSRI’s, except they are 100% natural and safe.  The herbal supplements are believed to increase serotonin naturally and allow men to last longer during sexual intercourse.  Similar to all cures for premature ejaculation, herbal supplements may work for some men and not others.  Everyone will respond differently.