Have you ever left your sexual partner hanging because you climaxed before them? Premature ejaculation (PE) affects about 30% of males, so the good news is, you’re not alone.
Premature ejaculation can present an obstacle to satisfying sex and may also result in a low sex drive. But don’t worry, you can still have a fulfilling sex life by following these tips that can help you delay ejaculation.
What is Premature Ejaculation?
On average, a man reaches orgasm in about 5.5 minutes during sexual intercourse. Meanwhile, premature ejaculation is defined as ejaculating during sexual intercourse either before or immediately after penetration.
There are two kinds of premature ejaculation:
- Primary or lifelong – This is when a person has experienced premature ejaculation since the first time they had sex.
- Secondary or acquired – This is when premature ejaculation is intermittent or starts later in life. This is most common among older men.
What Causes Premature Ejaculation?
Primary premature ejaculation is often caused by psychological factors, such as having a traumatic sexual experience at a young age. Meanwhile, secondary premature ejaculation can be caused by both psychological and physical factors, such as drinking too much alcohol or the inflammation of the prostate gland.
How to Delay Ejaculation
According to The Urology Care Foundation there are no approved drugs in the USA for the treatment of premature ejaculation. Fortunately, there are other proven ways that can help delay your ejaculation.
Take advantage of cock rings
More than fulfilling your kinky desires in the bedroom, cock rings or penis rings are popular for men who experience premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. Cock rings are designed to restrict blood flow and prolong sensation during sexual acts, ensuring you to get harder, longer-lasting erections. They can also make masturbation, oral sex and intercourse more fun and pleasurable. Just make sure to use lubricant to help a cock ring slide on and off more easily.
Some cock rings like Tenuto, also include stimulation for the partner to help increase their pleasure and close the orgasm gap.
A cream or delay spray fix might do the trick
Various topical creams or delay sprays, consist of lidocaine-prilocaine, an anesthetic, that can also help delay ejaculation. The anesthetics can help desensitize your penis and make it less sensitive, allowing you to last longer in bed. Some lidocaine-prilocaine cream are only available by prescription, while other products like Promescent’s Delay Spray, are available over the counter.
Applying an anesthetic cream together with a thick condom has proven to delay ejaculation. Just make sure you apply the topical cream or spray on the head of your penis around 30 minutes prior to intercourse.
Do some proven behavioral techniques
Sexual experts suggest some easy behavioral techniques that can help with premature ejaculation. These can be done before or during sex and include:
- Masturbating 1 to 2 hours before sexual intercourse
- Using a thick condom to help decrease the sensation
- Giving your partner more control by being on top so your partner can easily pull away when you are about to reach climax
- Taking a deep breath to briefly shut down the ejaculatory reflex every time you feel like you’re about to climax
Try the pause-squeeze or start-stop technique
A doctor or sex therapist may instruct you and your partner to use various premature ejaculation exercises to delay ejaculation.
Here’s how to do the pause-squeeze technique:
- Start your sexual activity as usual. When you are ready to ejaculate, ask your partner to gently squeeze the end of your penis, and maintain pressure for several seconds until your urge to ejaculate passes.
- Ask your partner to repeat the process as necessary. By repeating the pause-squeeze method, you can reach the point of going into your partner without ejaculating.
Here’s how to do the start-stop method:
- Stimulate the penis until you are close to ejaculation.
- Stop the simulation for about 30 seconds. Once you regain control of your sensation, start stimulating your penis again.
- Repeat this process 3 to 4 times before you allow yourself to release.
Do Kegel exercises
Pelvic exercises do more than just keep you strong and fit; they can also help with premature ejaculation. Having weak pelvic floor muscles may weaken your ability to delay ejaculation, so repeating these pelvic exercises three times a day can help strengthen your pelvic floor. Kegel exercises are safe when executed properly. Be sure to get proper guidance in identifying your pelvic floor muscles before trying such exercises.
Here's how to perform pelvic floor exercises:
- Lie or sit in a comfortable position without putting pressure on the perineum, the area between your anus and genital.
- Tighten the muscles involved when you’re trying to hold your pee for five seconds. The muscles should feel as though they are lifting.
- Release the muscles, and rest for 5 seconds. Repeat this process 10 times per session, doing two to three sessions every day.
According to Medicine Net, 50% of patients involved in a study on pelvic floor therapy, which consisted of biofeedback, pelvic exercises and electrostimulation, overcame premature ejaculation within two to six months of therapy.
Try behavioral therapy or counseling
Since many cases of premature ejaculation are caused by psychological factors, behavioral therapy or counseling could be an beneficial option. Therapy can help you address traumatic events, fears, mental illnesses or insecurities that may be causing your condition.
If you are married or in a long-term relationship, couple’s therapy can also be beneficial. Premature ejaculation may be caused by a lack of libido or a lack of intimacy and speaking to a professional can help you and your partner explore any sexual issues that may be affecting your sex life.
Take supplements
Some studies have shown that a deficiency in certain vitamins can cause premature ejaculation and supplements can help prevent premature ejaculation. For instance, magnesium has been proven to be an important mineral for healthy sperm production, as well as good reproductive health and studies have shown that low magnesium levels could be a contributing factor to premature ejaculation.
Zinc is also a vital mineral that can help you boost your sexual energy. Zinc not only supports healthy immunity and cell growth, but it also helps produce testosterone. Research has found a link between zinc deficiency and sexual dysfunction in men, so increasing your intake of zinc may help improve premature ejaculation (the recommended daily dose is 11 milligrams).
Make some lifestyle changes
Several factors may also increase a person’s risk for premature ejaculation. These may include too much stress, being overweight, being depressed, and having erectile dysfunction. If you are at an increased risk for premature ejaculation, try making lifestyle changes (e.g., losing weight, learning to manage stress, eating healthy, exercising, etc.) to see if they yield positive results.
There’s Hope for Better Sex
Premature ejaculation can be embarrassing, and it may take a toll on relationships. But the good news is, there’s hope for more fulfilling sexcapades. You can say goodbye to premature ejaculation by trying out several treatment options, depending on your case. At the end of the day, it’s still best to consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Your healthcare provider may conduct or recommend exams, tests and screenings that can lead you to the best medical approaches.
