Perhaps one of the
most common health questions a doctor
receives is help in preventing premature
ejaculation. Although
the spouse or girlfriend may say
"it's not a big deal", at some
time in a man's life he will be
faced with ejaculating befrore
the partner is ready and will consider
it a "big deal". When
exactly this is, is subject to debate,
but it is based on how
satisified the man is ready to ejaculate.
What causes premature ejaculation?
No one exactly knows, but in a majority
of cases it can be
attributed to anxiety or nervousness.
Younger men often have
this problem, as older men tend
to have a better idea on how to
control their release. Some researchers
states a man can reach
orgasm within 3 minutes after penetration.
Most women need
orgasm after 8 to 10 minutes. This
is often where the problem
lies, with the man feeling guilty
or ashamed of not controlling
his ejaculation, preventing a woman
from reaching orgasm.
What are the different methods in
preventing premature
ejaculation?
There are several techniques to try:
Masters and Johnson Method
This is the technique developed by
the famous sexologists. It
involves masturbation, either by
yourself or with help from a
partner:
Masturbate (lubrication with Astroglide
may be helpful). Allow
yourself to stop just before ejaculating,
relaxing, even letting
your erection to decrease. Repeat
this until you have a better
idea when you have reached the "point
of no return". With a
partner allow her to stimulate you
either via mastrubation or
oral sex, and then signal when you
are close to ejaculating.
Signalling can often come in the
form of a gentle squeeze or,
more bluntly saying "Stop" or "Slow
down". It may take several
attempts to be successful using
the Masters and Johnson Method.
Using this "start and stop" method
during intercourse may take
practice.
Squeeze Technique
This is a variation of the Masters
and Johnson Method. This is
where the partner "pinches" the
tip or base of the man's penis
before ejaculation. This decreases
the amount of blood flow to
the penis, causing the man to lose
his erection.
The Pressure Point
If you are close to ejaculating you
may want to know about
nature's own Panic Button. Between
the scroum and the anus there
is a duct that can prevent ejaculation.
Have yourself or your
partner press with their fingers
and you can often stop the
ejaculation in its tracks.
The Muscle
Controlling the pubococcygeus muscle
is another way of
preventing ejaculation. This is
the muscle we use to stop
ourselves from urinating midstream.
Learn to contract that
muscle ten times a day and you can
use this as another
alternative of the start-stop method.
Second Time Around
Men often take a longer time to ejaculate
during the second time
of coitus. If the first time was
too quick, you may want to
engage in extended foreplay or oral
stimulation while
preparating for a repeat performance.
Condoms
Condoms can help decrease the amount
of stimulation during
intercourse. Ribbed condoms are
often the least sensitive. Of
course, their greatest importance
is in preventing sexually
transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
Desensitization Creams
Out on the market are creams that
contain anesthetic gels
similar to use in offices to decrease
stimulation. Most common
are the creams that contain the
active ingredient benzocaine.
Your mileage may vary on these,
as some men feel that they make
intercourse less pleasurable.
Positions
It is suggested that laying down
with the woman on top is the
best way of prolonging an erection
during intercourse. This
causes the man to be relaxed and
can better guide their
thrusting to delaying the inevitable.
The missionary position is
often considered the most difficult
one to preventing early
ejaculations.
Sometimes men go to their doctor
for this problem. Recently,
primary care physicians and urologists
have been prescribing
medications to reduce anxiety in
helping with premature
ejaculation. Zoloft and Klonopin
are medications that have been
tried. Although considered an off-label
use for treatment,
Viagra has also helped with premature
ejaculation particular
those who suffer from intermittent
impotence as well. Other
times a referral to a sex therapist
or psychologist may be
needed. Premature ejaculation is
a common problem that can
seriously affect a relationship
or marriage. It is important
that couples are upfront with the
problem so they can work on
doing something in fixing it.
About the author:
Michael Woo-Ming, MD is the founder
of MyPhysicians.com, a site
where you can ask doctors and specialists
your medical questions
online.
