PE in Men: What Causes It & How to Treat It

Throughout a man’s life, there will probably be times when he’ll go through a challenging period in his sexual health. While PE in men can feel isolating, it’s actually incredibly common. One in three American men aged 18-59 experience premature ejaculation regularly. So, if you’re struggling with premature ejaculation disorder, you’re not alone.

What Is PE In Men?

Premature ejaculation, also known as PE, is when ejaculation occurs during sex sooner than a man or his partner would like. Whilst PE isn’t considered a health condition, it can impact relationships. For some, it will be a one-off or an occasional incident. But if it starts to become a recurring problem, PE in men can lead to feelings of distress, embarrassment, insecurity, anxiety, and even depression.

What Causes Male PE?

The cause of premature ejaculation isn’t completely understood, but it’s thought that serotonin plays a role. Serotonin is an essential hormone that stabilizes our mood, wellbeing, and happiness. Serotonin also enables our brain cells and nervous system cells to communicate and helps with sleeping, eating, memory, and digestion. Too little serotonin in the body can cause a host of issues, including:

• Mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety
• Memory issues
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Trouble focusing
• Digestive issues

In our sexual health, serotonin can also increase the length of time to orgasm. If you’re deficient in serotonin, then you may experience premature ejaculation. PE in men may also be linked to underlying psychological causes and can be impacted by feelings of stress and anxiety in other areas of your life. For example, a high-pressure job or financial struggles could lead to PE in men… Over the last few years, there has been a massive recognition of PE in men and a better understanding of the problems that can stem from it. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in suffering from PE, and worrying about your condition can increase your emotional stress and anxiety, therefore worsening your PE.

How Do You Treat Male PE?

So, the big question: Is there treatment for premature ejaculation? Yes. For many men suffering from premature ejaculation disorder, there’s often a psychological cause. Your doctor may suggest psychological, behavioral, or medical treatments for PE. If they believe there are a few factors at play, they may prescribe a combination of treatments.

Psychological Treatment For Premature Ejaculation

If PE occurs at the beginning of a new sexual relationship, it often resolves as the relationship develops. However, if PE persists, your doctor may recommend counseling from a therapist that specializes in couples therapy.

Behavioral Therapy For PE In Men

Alternatively, they may recommend behavioral therapy, which uses exercises to ‘train’ your body. There are two main techniques used to treat PE in men, which aim to build control over your ejaculation:

• The Squeeze Method is where you or your partner squeeze the head of your penis as you feel that you’re about to ejaculate. Over time, you’ll build more control.
• The Stop-Start Methods works by stopping sex or reducing stimulation when you feel like you’re about to ejaculate. This works similarly to the squeeze technique. And the more you practice, the more control you’ll have over your ejaculation.

Medical Treatment For PE

Currently, there are no medications specifically approved to treat PE in men. However, many doctors use selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which have “off-label” abilities to treat PE in men. SSRIs are commonly used to treat depression because they raise serotonin levels in the brain. As previously discussed, serotonin delays ejaculation, so SSRIs can also help to treat PE in men. However, it’s important to be aware that SSRIs may have unpleasant side effects.

Alternative Ways To Treat PE In Men

Some men find that applying a numbing cream or spray directly to their penis can help with PE. You can buy a range of creams and sprays to delay ejaculation at the pharmacy. Alternatively, you might find that wearing a condom helps you combat PE. Many men will already be aware that a condom dulls some sensation; if you suffer from premature ejaculation, that dulled sensation could help you build control during sex. If PE is harming your mental health and relationships, consider speaking with a men’s health doctor. Here at Opt Health, we have specialized men’s health doctors who can provide treatment from the comfort of your own home. However, we can help with so much more than providing treatment for premature ejaculation. We also offer preventative medicine to increase men’s vitality and testosterone replacement therapy for men.