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Premature Ejaculation

Male sexual dysfunction

Premature Ejaculation (PE) is a type of male sexual dysfunction, characterised by the inability to control ejaculation. This often means that when a man has sex, he cannot continue long enough to satisfy both himself and his partner.

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Emla Cream from £20

Priligy Tablets from £28.91

Advice for Premature Ejaculation

In specific terms, PE usually involves a male partner ejaculating shortly before or after penetration. PE is often associated with erectile dysfunction (impotence) and with rapid loss of erection after ejaculation.

PE is usually lifelong and it often dates back to the first sexual experience. It tends to be younger men who experience it most commonly, or men who have had fewer sexual experiences. Rarely, PE may develop in later life when it is often progressive. We do not know accurately how common it is but between 1 in 3 & 1 in 5 men (20-30%) are thought to have PE. Less than a quarter of men with PE actually seek medical advice for their condition.

The cause of PE is unknown and varies from person to person. It appears unrelated to performance anxiety, hypersensitivity of the penis or nerve receptor sensitivity. It may have a genetic tendency, running in some families.

PE problems are not only about the length of time you last before ejaculating, it is also about whether you and your partner feel you ejaculate very quickly and are not satisfied with the sexual intercourse experience.

There are generally two types of PE:

Primary PE - This starts when first becoming sexually active and is often psychological. Men who have been unable to control their ejaculation times or orgasm since puberty, and have not had satisfying intercourse with anybody tend to have primary PE.
Secondary PE – This occurs later in life and can be caused by both psychological and physical factors. Secondary PE occurs in males that have had a normal and healthy ejaculation and orgasm time then problems occur suddenly. Often the reasons behind secondary PE are stress, anxiety, emotional pain and not having sex for a long length of time.

PE can be treated with psychological counselling and medical treatments, such as a serotonin boosting drug called Priligy and a local anaesthetic cream (Emla) that temporarily numbs the sensation in the penis.

The negative consequences of premature ejaculation are significant; they cause: sexual dissatisfaction, personal distress, interpersonal difficulty, low self-esteem, and they may affect partner satisfaction.

There are usually three symptoms of premature ejaculation:

Ejaculation which occurs always or nearly always within two minutes of penetration with little sexual stimulation
Having difficulty controlling ejaculation
Finding sex frustrating or distressing and tending to avoid it.

The exact cause of Premature Ejaculation isn't known. It was once thought to be only psychological. But health care providers now know that PE involves a complex interaction of psychological and biological factors. Common causes of Premature Ejaculation include:

Psychological factors such as lack of self-esteem, stress, anxiety, depression and problems with your sexual partner.
Being in the early stages of a relationship or with a new partner, particularly if it's been a long time since you last ejaculated.
Being anxious because of inexperience when first having sex can contribute to PE. However with increasing sexual experience and age, men often learn to delay orgasm.
Medical conditions such as prostate disease, underactive thyroid, hypersensitivity of the skin of the penis, diabetes, high blood pressure.
A lifestyle which involves using recreational drugs or drinking too much alcohol.

Various factors can increase the risk of PE. They may include:

Erectile dysfunction - You might be at increased risk of PE if you have trouble getting or keeping an erection. Fear of losing an erection might cause you to hurry through sex. This may happen whether you're aware of it or not.
Stress - Emotional or mental strain in any area of life can play a role in premature ejaculation. Stress can limit the ability to relax and focus during sex.

At Pharmacinta, we provide PE treatments that inhibit your body’s impulse to orgasm. You might be prescribed an anaesthetic cream to numb the penis, thus allowing you to last longer during sex due to the reduced sensitivity. Alternatively, a prescription tablet can help delay ejaculation impulses in the brain.

Prescription tablets, such as Priligy, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is specifically used for treating PE. Approximately one in three men report that they have a good or very good response to Priligy. Average times to ejaculation normally increase from around 1 minute to 3 to 3.5 minutes. Results are slightly better with the higher strength tablet, but there is also an increase in side effects.

Local anaesthetic creams, such as EMLA, that work by desensitising the penis should be applied at least 15 minutes before intercourse and should be washed off afterwards. These are not licensed treatments for PE, but have been traditionally prescribed for many men with a good success rate.

Taking medicine won’t provide a permanent solution for PE, however using it alongside behavioural techniques and counselling may help to provide a longer-term solution.

The following are alternative ways to delay ejaculation:

Psychological, ‘self-control treatments’ and counselling are the most effective long-term treatments for premature ejaculation. Often, talking about these issues with a partner can be helpful, as this can relax you, restore your confidence, and remove the perceived pressure that you have to perform well.
Some men find that counselling helps to treat psychological causes. Discussing concerns and any anxiety with a professional and learning some coping techniques can be very beneficial to your overall state of mind, and that in turn can mean a better sexual experience.
You can treat PE by introducing behavioural changes and try techniques such as the start-stop technique, which involves pausing at regular intervals to prevent ejaculation. You can also experiment with more passive sexual positions to see whether you can prolong intercourse this way.
If your PE is caused by oversensitivity of the penis, you may find that a thicker condom helps you last longer. You can also buy condoms which are coated with a numbing gel on one side.
During sex focus your attention on something non-erotic, such as times tables. This can reduce the enjoyment of the act itself but is often effective in delaying ejaculation.
Masturbation is perfectly healthy and natural. Masturbating regularly can help build up your stamina and enable you to last longer during sex.
Condoms decrease sensitivity and therefore usually increase the time taken to ejaculate. They also have the added bonus of preventing sexually transmitted disease and unwanted pregnancies.
If you find that your PE continues, even with treatment and / or counselling, you should know that there are alternatives to penetrative sex. Foreplay, cuddling and focusing on your partner can all be satisfying ways of making the sexual encounter last longer and feel more satisfying. If you believe you won't last long, you could save penetration to the last minute to ensure you are both having an enjoyable experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alcohol, as well as other substances and medications can sometimes be the cause of delayed ejaculation. Other substances that are known to affect ejaculation include some types of: Antidepressants, High blood pressure medications, Diuretics, Antipsychotic medications, Anti-seizure medications

In some men, poor blood glucose control can lead to nerve damage, leading to retrograde ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation caused by diabetes can sometimes be helped with drugs that strengthen the muscles in the bladder neck.

Yes, anxiety around penis size may cause issues such as PE or ED.

Yes. In addition to using Priligy, you can use a number of techniques to help you to last longer. .

Up to 8 in 10 men were satisfied with the results of the treatment. Of the men it was effective for it was found to up to triple the time taken to ejaculate.

The treatment will be most effective within 1-3 hours after it is taken. Although most effective 1-3 hours after being taken, its effect can last for up to 12 hours.

No. It is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. To get a prescription you must either visit a doctor or complete an assessment which a doctor is then able to review and provide a prescription.

No. Both Priligy tablets and medications for Erectile Dysfunction lead to low blood pressure so when taken together, they can cause fainting, dizziness, and collapses.

Unfortunately, Priligy is still under patent meaning there is only one company that is allowed to manufacturer the medicine. Because of this, the wholesale cost of the medicine is quite high.

EMLA numbing cream is a prescription free medication and can be bought from pharmacies or using our online doctor service.

The active ingredients in EMLA cream are the local anaesthetics lidocaine and prilocaine. Every gram of EMLA contains 25mg of lidocaine as well as 25mg of prilocaine. Additional ingredients include polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, purified water, Carbomer 974P and sodium hydroxide.

Male individuals who used this product were able to delay their ejaculation. Because premature ejaculation can lead to a disappointing sex life for both the man and his partner, Emla cream can help to make this more satisfying.

Apart from treating premature ejaculation, EMLA cream can be used to numb skin for various reasons. Examples include numbing the skin before injections, tattoos, and donating blood.

EMLA cream is suitable for most men to use for premature ejaculation. Any side effects are usually mild and improve after a short time. Side effects can happen on the area the cream is applied. It may cause itching, burning, or redness.

The cream works quickly to numb the tip of the penis. Applying the cream 15 minutes to 30 minutes before sex or sexual activity should help to delay ejaculation.

No, EMLA cream contains Lidocaine. You should not use the cream if you are allergic to lidocaine.

Yes you can keep the tube of cream in the fridge if required, however, it should never be frozen.

There are generally two types of PE:

Primary PE - This starts when first becoming sexually active and is often psychological. Men who have been unable to control their ejaculation times or orgasm since puberty, and have not had satisfying intercourse with anybody tend to have primary PE.
Secondary PE – This occurs later in life and can be caused by both psychological and physical factors. Secondary PE occurs in males that have had a normal and healthy ejaculation and orgasm time then problems occur suddenly. Often the reasons behind secondary PE are stress, anxiety, emotional pain and not having sex for a long length of time.

There are usually three symptoms of premature ejaculation:

Ejaculation which occurs always or nearly always within two minutes of penetration with little sexual stimulation
Having difficulty controlling ejaculation
Finding sex frustrating or distressing and tending to avoid it.

Psychological factors such as lack of self-esteem, stress, anxiety, depression and problems with your sexual partner.
Being in the early stages of a relationship or with a new partner, particularly if it's been a long time since you last ejaculated.
Being anxious because of inexperience when first having sex can contribute to PE. However with increasing sexual experience and age, men often learn to delay orgasm.
Medical conditions such as prostate disease, underactive thyroid, hypersensitivity of the skin of the penis, diabetes, high blood pressure.
A lifestyle which involves using recreational drugs or drinking too much alcohol.

Various factors can increase the risk of PE. They may include:

Erectile dysfunction - You might be at increased risk of PE if you have trouble getting or keeping an erection. Fear of losing an erection might cause you to hurry through sex. This may happen whether you're aware of it or not.
Stress - Emotional or mental strain in any area of life can play a role in premature ejaculation. Stress can limit the ability to relax and focus during sex.

Taking medicine won’t provide a permanent solution for PE, however using it alongside behavioural techniques and counselling may help to provide a longer-term solution.

The following are alternative ways to delay ejaculation:

Psychological, ‘self-control treatments’ and counselling are the most effective long-term treatments for premature ejaculation. Often, talking about these issues with a partner can be helpful, as this can relax you, restore your confidence, and remove the perceived pressure that you have to perform well.
Some men find that counselling helps to treat psychological causes. Discussing concerns and any anxiety with a professional and learning some coping techniques can be very beneficial to your overall state of mind, and that in turn can mean a better sexual experience.
You can treat PE by introducing behavioural changes and try techniques such as the start-stop technique, which involves pausing at regular intervals to prevent ejaculation. You can also experiment with more passive sexual positions to see whether you can prolong intercourse this way.
If your PE is caused by oversensitivity of the penis, you may find that a thicker condom helps you last longer. You can also buy condoms which are coated with a numbing gel on one side.
During sex focus your attention on something non-erotic, such as times tables. This can reduce the enjoyment of the act itself but is often effective in delaying ejaculation.
Masturbation is perfectly healthy and natural. Masturbating regularly can help build up your stamina and enable you to last longer during sex.
Condoms decrease sensitivity and therefore usually increase the time taken to ejaculate. They also have the added bonus of preventing sexually transmitted disease and unwanted pregnancies.
If you find that your PE continues, even with treatment and / or counselling, you should know that there are alternatives to penetrative sex. Foreplay, cuddling and focusing on your partner can all be satisfying ways of making the sexual encounter last longer and feel more satisfying. If you believe you won't last long, you could save penetration to the last minute to ensure you are both having an enjoyable experience.