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Premature ejaculation (PE) is when you have an orgasm before intercourse or less than a minute after you start.

There is no set time when a man should ejaculate during sex, but if you ejaculate and lose your erection this soon, you and your partner may feel there’s not enough time to enjoy it.

It can be frustrating and even embarrassing, but it’s a common issue for men. Between 30% to 40% have it at some time in their life. So, keep in mind — it’s not something to worry about if it happens only occasionally.

Premature Ejaculation Causes and Risk Factors

The cause is not really known. But your brain chemistry could be at least partly the reason. Men who have low levels of the chemical serotonin in their brains tend to take a shorter time to ejaculate.

Emotional factors can play a role:

  • stress;
  • depression;
  • anxiety;
  • guilt;
  • relationship problems;
  • lack of confidence or poor body image;
  • concern over your sexual performance;
  • negative feelings about the idea of sex (sexual repression);

Some physical conditions may also cause PE, including:

  • unusual hormone levels;
  • irregular levels of neurotransmitters (an imbalance of the chemicals in your brain that passes messages or impulses to the rest of your body);
  • inflammation or an infection in your prostate or urethra (the tube that runs from your bladder and sends pee out of the body);
  • genetic traits you inherit from your parents.

Sometimes PE can be a problem for men with erectile dysfunction (ED). That’s when the penis doesn’t remain firm enough for sex. Men who are worried they could lose their erection may develop a pattern of rushing to ejaculate. It can be a hard habit to break.

Treating erectile dysfunction may make premature ejaculation go away. There are many medication options.

Premature Ejaculation Diagnosis

Your doctor probably will start by asking if you’ve always had the problem or if it’s a new thing. They may ask about your sex life or your relationships. You’ll probably get a physical exam, too.

If your doctor thinks emotional issues are causing your PE, they may refer you to a mental health professional who works with people who have trouble with sex.

If a physical problem is causing it, they might recommend that you see a doctor called a urologist, who specializes in conditions that affect your urinary system.

When to see a doctor

Talk to a doctor if you ejaculate sooner than you wish during most sexual encounters. It’s common for men to feel embarrassed about discussing sexual health concerns, but don’t let that keep you from talking to a doctor. Premature ejaculation is a common and treatable problem.

For some men, a conversation with a doctor might help lessen concerns about premature ejaculation. For example, it might be reassuring to hear that occasional premature ejaculation is normal and that the average time from the beginning of intercourse to ejaculation is about five minutes.

If you better prefer to get a free consultation online, then get in touch with our expert here.