Premature ejaculation (PE) is when ejaculation happens sooner than a man or his partner would like during sex. Occasional PE is also known as rapid ejaculation, premature climax or early ejaculation. Occasional PE might not be a cause for worry. Couples can find it frustrating if it makes sex less enjoyable and impacts relationships. If you find repeat occasions and it causes problems, It’s time to talk with Dr. Bankhead to evaluate the root of your problem
Know that you are not alone. In the U.S., about 1 in 3 men 18 to 59 years old have problems with PE. The problem is often thought to be psychological, but biology can also play a role.
Evaluation
We recommend that you visit us for an evaluation. This is a problem which may be evaluated and treated with a single office visit. This is especially true if you have “acquired premature ejaculation”, meaning that it has been occurring more recently versus a lifelong problem.
For many men, a physical exam and answering questions (medical history) are all that’s needed for a doctor to diagnose erectile dysfunction and recommend a treatment. If you have chronic health conditions or your doctor suspects that an underlying condition might be involved, you might need further tests or a consultation with a specialist. Tests might include:
Physical exam. This might include careful examination of your penis and testicles and checking your nerves for sensation.
Blood And/Or Urine Tests A sample might be sent to a lab to check for signs of heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone levels and other health conditions.
Ultrasound. It involves using a wandlike device held over the blood vessels that supply the penis to create a video image to locate blood flow problems. This test is sometimesin combined with an injection into the penis to stimulate blood flow and produce an erection.
Psychological exam. Your doctor might ask questions to screen for depression and other possible psychological causes.
Treatment
Some patients may want to start with behavioral techniques such as the start / stop or squeeze methods. Generally, patients report a better outcome if they combine this technique with oral medications or topical treatments
Oral Medications: Some men respond well to low doses of the antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs increase the levels of serotonin in the brain. During the treatment of men with depression, it was discovered that many men took a longer period of time to reach ejaculation. These medications require a prescription. Of course Viagra is the most commonly requested prescription.
Topical anesthetic medications are often the first course of action for premature ejaculation. They are easy-to-use, cost effective and only need to be applied when you want to engage in sexual relations and have a negligible risk of significant side effects.
Our patients are having good success with a new product, Promescent®. Promescent is available for purchase without a prescription.
Next Steps…
You don’t have to live with PE. Give us a call or send us an email to talk about this issue.