Premature ejaculation (PE) is the commonest male sexual problem and the research tells us that it occurs in up to 35% of men at some time in their lives. It can become an issue if it occurs on a regular basis with minimal sexual stimulation before, during or just after penetration, and before the man wishes it.

PE causes enormous distress to the man and his partner. Men can become despondent and depressed about the problem and avoid sexual encounters, while their partners are often left wanting and unfulfilled. Some women never achieve orgasm due to their partner’s PE. A reduction in sexual frequency tends to exacerbate the problem.

PE can be psychological in origin or be a combination of psychological and biological factors. Some oral medications, counselling and sexual techniques all help to delay ejaculations, or a combination of these can help improve sex for a man and his partner. Various gels and creams have also been found to have some effect.

Men who experience PE episodically find the causes are usually psychological in nature. These men may have had a repressive upbringing with regard to sexuality, exposed to strong religious teachings or been sexually abused. Their first sexual experiences may have been associated with anxiety, guilt and embarrassment. Anxiety will increase the chances of PE.

PE is most successfully treated with a cognitive behavioural approach using anxiety management techniques in conjunction with various retraining tools. Also breathe control techniques are helpful to relax the body and lessen the flight or fight response.

The “Stop Start Technique” plus Sensate Focus exercises developed by Masters and Johnson are useful when working with many types of psychological sexual problems and also helps to reestablish a flagging sexual relationship. There is a Stop Start method for a couple and another for individuals not in a relationship.

The basic idea behind this method is to become aware of and familiar with one’s own sexual sensations and gradually increase your tolerance of these sensations and thus last longer before orgasm. The goal is not just to masturbate but to experience high levels of sexual excitement for a prolonged period of time and get used to them.

Steve Willcox – Neo Health
If you would like an appointment to discuss this important issue please contact me for further information.