When should a doctor be seen?
When premature ejaculation (PE) happens so frequently that it interferes with your sexual pleasure, it becomes a medical problem requiring the care of a doctor. To understand the problem, the doctor will need to ask questions about your sexual history such as the following:
- How often does the PE occur?
- How long have you had this problem?
- Is the problem specific to one partner? Or does it happen with every partner?
- Does PE occur with all or just some attempts at sexual relations?
- How much stimulation results in PE?
- What type of sexual activity (i.e., foreplay, masturbation, intercourse, use of visual clues, etc.) is engaged in and how often?
- How has PE affected sexual activity?
- What is the quality of your personal relationships?
- How does PE affect your quality of life?
- Are there any factors that make PE worse or better (i.e., drugs, alcohol, etc.)?
Usually, laboratory testing is not necessary unless the history and a physical examination reveal something more complicated.
How to talk to your partner about premature ejaculation?
Premature ejaculation (PE) affects not only you but also your partner and your sexual relationship. In an episode of PE, the intimacy shared with a partner suddenly comes to a quick end. You might feel angry, ashamed, and frustrated, and turn away from your partner. At the same time, your partner may be upset with the rapid emotional change, or the outcome of the sexual encounter.
Communication is not only important to successful diagnosis and treatment, but can also help a partner understand the feelings of the individual. Sometimes couple counseling or sex therapy may be useful. Together a couple might develop techniques (for example, the squeeze technique) that may prolong an erection. Most importantly, the couple should try to relax. Anxiety (especially performance anxiety) only makes this condition worse.
What treatments are available?
There are several treatment choices for premature ejaculation: psychological therapy, behavioral therapy and medications. Be sure to discuss these treatments with your doctor and together decide which of the following options is best for you:
- Psychological therapy addresses feelings a man may have about sexuality and sexual relationships.
- Behavioral therapy makes use of exercises to help a man develop tolerance to stimulation and, as a result, delay ejaculation.
- Medical therapy includes medications that are commonly used to treat depression. In addition, topical anesthetic creams may be used.
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