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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffThe primary sign of premature ejaculation is ejaculation that occurs before both partners wish, causing concern or distress. However, the problem may occur in all sexual situations, even including during masturbation.
Doctors generally classify premature ejaculation as either lifelong (primary) or acquired (secondary).
According to the International Society for Sexual Medicine, lifelong premature ejaculation is characterized by:
- Ejaculation that always or nearly always occurs within one minute or less of vaginal penetration
- The inability to delay ejaculation on all or nearly all vaginal penetrations
- Negative personal consequences, such as distress, frustration or the avoidance of sexual intimacy
The International Society for Sexual Medicine has concluded that there aren't yet enough published data about acquired (secondary) premature ejaculation to publish an evidence-based definition of this condition.
According to the definition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, secondary premature ejaculation:
- Is marked by persistent or recurrent ejaculation with minimal stimulation before, on, or shortly after penetration, and before you wish it
- Causes personal distress or relationship problems
- Develops after you've had previous, satisfying sexual relationships without ejaculatory problems
When to see a doctor
Talk with your doctor if you ejaculate sooner than you and your partner wish during most sexual encounters. Although you may feel you should be able to fix the problem on your own, you may need treatment to help you achieve and sustain a satisfying sex life.
For some men, however, a conversation with your doctor may actually reassure you that your occasional premature ejaculation is normal — or possibly not even premature. The range of normal from the beginning of intercourse to ejaculation is generally considered to be two to 10 minutes.
- Lue TF, et al. Evaluation and nonsurgical management of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. In: Wein AJ, et al, eds. Wein: Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:756.
- Premature ejaculation. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Jan. 28, 2009.
- Waldinger, MD. Premature ejaculation: State of the art. Urologic Clinics of North America. 2007;34:591.
- McMahon CG. An evidence-based definition of lifelong premature ejaculation: Report of the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) ad hoc committee for the definition of premature ejaculation. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2008;5:1590.
- Althof SE. Psychological approaches to the treatment of rapid ejaculation. The Journal of Men's Health & Gender. 2006;3:180.
- Park J, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine in men's health. Journal of Men's Health. 2008;5:305.
- Dhikav V. Yoga in premature ejaculation: A comparative trial with fluoxetine. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2007;4:1726.
