men & women
Premature Ejaculation
Premature ejaculation is ejaculating sooner than you or your partner would like, usually within a minute or two of penetration, and it is common and treatable.
Symptoms
1
Ejaculation within roughly a minute of penetration, most of the time
2
Little or no sense of control over timing
3
Distress, frustration or avoidance of sex because of it
4
May be lifelong or acquired later, and the distinction guides treatment
Causes and how it spreads
Lifelong premature ejaculation appears to involve serotonin signalling and penile sensitivity, and runs in families. Acquired premature ejaculation can follow erectile difficulty, prostate inflammation, thyroid problems, stress or new relationship anxiety. It is one of the most common male sexual complaints at every age.
How PVT tests for it
Diagnosis is clinical: a straightforward, private conversation about timing, control, distress and context, plus screening for contributors such as ED or thyroid issues where the story suggests them. No awkward tests are involved.
Treatment
Several approaches work, alone or combined: behavioural techniques such as stop-start and squeeze methods, daily or on-demand medication that lengthens time to ejaculation, topical anaesthetic sprays or creams that reduce sensitivity, and treating any underlying ED. Most men find a combination that gives them meaningful control.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor when timing is causing distress for you or your partner, or leading you to avoid sex. There is no threshold you need to prove, and treatment can begin at the first consult.
Related service
Sexual Health Screening
Sexual health screening at PVT is confidential doctor-led testing for sexually transmitted infections, for men and women, with results and treatment handled privately.
Questions about
Premature Ejaculation
How common is premature ejaculation?
Very common. Studies consistently find that between a fifth and a third of men report it at some point, making it at least as common as erectile dysfunction. Almost nobody talks about it, which is the only reason it feels rare.
Do the sprays and creams actually help?
For many men, yes. Topical anaesthetics reduce penile sensitivity enough to lengthen time to ejaculation, with published studies showing several-fold improvements. Used correctly, with washing or a condom before contact, partner numbness is avoidable.
Is medication for PE a lifelong commitment?
Not necessarily. Some men use on-demand medication only when needed, others take a low daily dose, and many combine a period of medication with behavioural techniques and then taper off. Your doctor will match the approach to your pattern.
Can PE and ED happen together?
Yes, often. Some men develop PE because they rush before losing an erection. In that pattern, treating the ED usually improves the PE too, which is why the assessment looks at both rather than treating timing in isolation.