Overview
Premature ejaculation — climaxing sooner than a man or his partner wishes, often within a minute — is the most common male sexual complaint and affects men of all ages. It is usually driven by anxiety, sensitivity or habit rather than disease, and behavioural techniques and medical options genuinely work. It says nothing about manhood.
Symptoms
- Ejaculation within about a minute of penetration, most times
- Little sense of control over timing
- Distress, frustration or avoidance of intimacy
- Relationship tension
Causes & risk factors
- Performance anxiety and stress
- Heightened penile sensitivity
- Infrequent sex or early conditioning
- Erectile dysfunction (rushing before losing the erection)
- Rarely, prostate inflammation or thyroid problems
Treatment & self-care
Behavioural approaches — the stop-start and squeeze techniques, pelvic-floor exercises and slowing the pace — improve control with practice, and addressing anxiety helps many men quickly. Doctors can add proven options such as topical desensitising products or specific tablets where appropriate. Treating any accompanying erectile dysfunction often resolves it.
See a doctor urgently if
- It persists and distresses you or your partner
- It occurs alongside erection difficulty
- Pain on ejaculation or blood in semen
- It began suddenly after years of normal function