Premature Ejaculation - What's the Cause of it?
ShareOne of the most common bedroom issues affecting men is premature ejaculation. Although no set time dictates how long a man should last in bed, there are situations where the man ejaculates and loses an erection too soon and, as a result, cannot continue with sexual intercourse. Such cases are embarrassing and frustrating and are a leading cause of separation and failed relationships.
So, what is PE?
Premature ejaculation, commonly known as PE, can be defined as situations where a male ejaculates or orgasms faster than his or his partner's desired time. This condition is also known as rapid ejaculation, premature climax, or early ejaculation.
Although PE is considered a type of sexual dysfunction, it is slightly different from erectile dysfunction. The latter refers to the inability to achieve and maintain a strong enough erection to allow sexual activity.
PE is quite common in men. Studies have shown that 30-40% of men have experienced premature ejaculation at some point in their lives. In addition, the American Urological Association classified premature ejaculation as the most common sexual dysfunction in men, with about 1 in every 5 men between 18 and 60 years registering premature ejaculation.
What causes premature ejaculation?
A while ago, PE was said to be caused by psychological factors. However, research has found that chemical imbalances in men also cause PE. Generally, PE is caused by physical, chemical, and psychological factors, as discussed below.
Deficiency of serotonin
Although there is no exact known cause of PE, serotonin is believed to play a role. Its a hormone produced in the body precisely in the nervous system. High amounts of serotonin increase the ejaculation time; hence, its deficiency shortens the ejaculation time, leading to PE. In addition, abnormal levels of other hormones such as testosterone might contribute to PE. Lastly, inflammation of the urethra might be detrimental, including PE and ED.
Psychological factors are the biggest players in PE. They include depression, stress, guilt, sexual repression, lack of self-esteem or confidence, and unrealistic expectations about sex. Although most of the causes are psychological, some may be temporary. For example, someone might experience PE during his first sexual encounters, but with time, he learns some strategies that help delay ejaculation.
Some physical causes also lead to PE. For example, suppose someone has difficulty maintaining an erection due to erectile dysfunction. In that case, he tends to rush things during intercourse to climax before losing the erection.
PE is also linked with age. Although aging is not a direct cause of PE, older men tend to have short-timed erections and are not as firm as in their younger days.
The bottom line
Therapy, medicine, and sexual strategies might help you overcome PE. If you’re in a relationship, we recommend finding ways that you two will be comfortable with. Most important is to understand each other and support each other through the course.
No comments yet. Be the first to leave one.