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Premature Ejaculation

What Is Premature Ejaculation?

What Is Premature Ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation (PE) is when you have an orgasm before intercourse or sooner than you'd like during sex. It can be frustrating and even embarrassing, but PE is a common issue for anyone with a penis. About 30%-40% of those assigned male at birth have it at some point in their life. So, keep in mind that it’s not something to worry about if it happens only occasionally.

Premature ejaculation time

There is no set time when you should ejaculate during sex, but if you ejaculate and lose your erection early, you and your partner may feel there’s not enough time to enjoy it. If you ejaculate within 1-3 minutes of penetration on a regular basis, or are unable to delay ejaculation during sexual situations such as masturbation, you may want to talk to your doctor about treatment options.

Premature Ejaculation Causes

The cause of PE isn't really known, but your brain chemistry could be at least partly the reason. People with low levels of the chemical serotonin in their brains tend to take a shorter time to ejaculate.

Psychological causes that can play a role include:

  • Stress

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Guilt

  • Relationship problems

  • Lack of confidence or poor body image

  • Concern over your sexual performance

  • Negative feelings about the idea of sex (sexual repression)

  • Early sexual experiences

  • Sexual abuse

Premature Ejaculation Risk Factors

Some physical conditions may also cause PE. You may be at risk for PE if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Unusual hormone levels
  • Irregular levels of neurotransmitters (an imbalance of the chemicals in your brain that pass messages or impulses to the rest of your body)
  • Inflammation or an infection in your prostate or urethra (the tube that runs from your bladder and sends pee out of your body)
  • Genetic traits you inherit from your parents

Sometimes, PE can be a problem for people with erectile dysfunction (ED). That’s when the penis doesn’t remain firm enough for sex. Those who are worried they could lose their erection may develop a pattern of rushing to ejaculate. It can be a hard habit to break.

Treating the erectile dysfunction may make the premature ejaculation go away. There are many medication options, so discuss any concerns with your doctor.