What Causes Premature Ejaculation?

From depression and anxiety to low serotonin levels and hormone imbalance, the causes of premature ejaculation can be psychological or biological. There are also risk factors such as erectile dysfunction, and stress may also contribute to causing erectile dysfunction.

Most men seek to give pleasure to their partner as much as they receive; sexual pleasure is more of a give-take situation. However, this may not always be the case if the man is experiencing premature ejaculation. Other reasons may undermine sex with your partner, but premature ejaculation is one very common issue. Premature ejaculation can cost a man his self-confidence and lead him to frustrations, not to forget the embarrassment of this problem. A rather common sexual complaint about men, premature ejaculation, is when a man ejaculates sooner than normal.    

What Is Premature Ejaculation? 

It is estimated that 1 out of 3 men experience this issue at some point. Unless there is an underlying medical condition, there is no cause for alarm as premature ejaculation is not a serious condition. Rowland et al. (2022) explained that individuals can still be diagnosed with premature ejaculation if they always ejaculate under or within one minute of penetration and cannot delay ejaculation during intercourse the time. You can also be diagnosed with premature ejaculation if you feel frustrated and tend to avoid sexual intimacy. Premature ejaculation can be classified as: 

Lifelong (primary) premature ejaculation.

This type of premature ejaculation occurs nearly or all the time starting with your first sexual encounters.

Acquired (secondary) premature Ejaculation

This type of ejaculation develops after having previous sexual experiences without ejaculatory problems.

Causes Of Premature Ejaculation  

Coskuner & Ozkan (2022) explained that biological and psychological factors play a role in premature ejaculation. Many men feel embarrassed about this problem, and only a few will come out. Otherwise, this is a common and treatable condition.   

Psychological Factors 

Depression or Anxiety

Sexual performance may, at times, be a big deal to men. That is why before any sexual activity, some men may be anxious about their performance that they end up ejaculating sooner than expected. Depression may also cause premature ejaculation, whether the issue is sex-related or not.

Relationship Issues

You have to understand that even non-sexual issues can affect sex majorly. If you have issues within the relationship, this might lead to poor sexual performance and, in this case, premature ejaculation.

Early Sexual Experience

A person might have been having this problem for some time, which might undermine performance. 

Lack of Confidence or poor Body Image

It might happen especially with a new partner where one lacks confidence or doesn't seem to appreciate their own body.

Negativity about sex

Smith (2014) explained that, also known as sexual repression, a person harbors negative beliefs and feelings towards sex which may be conscious or not. Sex is as psychological as physical, and emotions can be a barrier to sexual performance. Psychological issues or emotions can also cause premature ejaculation.    

Biological Causes  

Low Serotonin Levels

Serotonin is a natural substance produced by nerves. High amounts of serotonin in the brain might increase the time to ejaculate, while low amounts of serotonin may shorten the time to ejaculate, thus leading to premature ejaculation. 

Inherited Traits

Premature ejaculation might result from health-related inherited traits and may lead to premature ejaculation. A person's health also has a role to play in sexual performance.

Inflammation and Infection of the Urethra

Infection and inflammation of the prostate or urethra can affect premature ejaculation. It may result from UTIs, which mostly lead to painful ejaculations but can also cause premature ejaculation. 

Abnormal Hormone Levels

Oxytocin is the hormone that is highly involved in regulating ejaculation and orgasms via the peripheral and spinal mechanisms. An imbalance in these hormones will either increase or decrease the time for ejaculation and may at times lead to premature ejaculation.

Risk Factors          

Several factors might increase your risk of premature ejaculation, such as erectile dysfunction and stress.

Erectile Dysfunction

Levine (2019) explained that the trouble of maintaining an erection or having a short-lived one might put you at the risk of premature ejaculation. One way is to consciously or unconsciously hurry through any sexual activity for fear of losing an erection. Another way may be psychological, where you are afraid of losing an erection that you ejaculate sooner than normal.

Stress

Mental and emotional strain in any subject of your life, sex-related or not, might play a role in premature ejaculation. It is because sexual intercourse is also psychological, and stress might limit your ability to relax and concentrate during sexual activities. Without focus, you might not be in control of your ejaculation, and you might end up ejaculating sooner than expected.  

Complications of Premature Ejaculation           

If you experience premature ejaculation, this problem will bounce back and affect your personal life. Some effects include;

Stress and Relationship Problems         

Your partner won't be happy about you ejaculating sooner than expected. It is important to talk about this problem with your partner so that they may help you through it. Keep in mind that premature ejaculation is treatable. Premature ejaculation is more like a phase, and it desists with time. However, it doesn't change the fact that PE will undermine your sexual life, but you can always resolve natural or artificial methods of treating premature ejaculation.

Fertility Problems     

If you are a couple trying to have a child, premature ejaculation can deter this. However, this is only occasionally and will not be in the case of every man experiencing premature ejaculation. Fertility problems may result if ejaculation doesn't occur intravaginally; otherwise, there is no cause for alarm if you are experiencing premature ejaculation.

Conclusion   

Considering the two types of premature ejaculation, factors that lead to premature ejaculation can be biological or psychological. It is okay to have premature ejaculation as it is common and treatable. There are numerous ways to treat premature ejaculation, some practical, even at home. So there is no cause for alarm if you are experiencing premature ejaculation. Still, you should see a doctor if it persists after trying some home remedies. There might be an underlying medical problem leading to this.    

References

Coskuner, E. R., & Ozkan, B. (2022). Premature ejaculation and endocrine disorders: A literature review. The World Journal of Men's Health, 40(1), 38.

Levine, S. B. (2019). Psychotherapeutic approaches to sexual problems: An essential guide for mental health professionals. American Psychiatric Pub.

Rowland, D. L., Althof, S. E., & McMahon, C. G. (2022). The unfinished business of defining premature ejaculation: The need for targeted research. Sexual Medicine Reviews.

Smith, L. D. (2014). Righteous Rhetoric: Sex, speech, and the politics of Concerned Women for America. AAR Academy.