Premature ejaculation is the most common sexual health problem for men. Its true prevalence is hard to determine, given only 10% of sufferers seek help, but patient self-report indicates that it affects 3% to %30 of men.
Premature ejaculation can be particularly stressful for the individual and their partner, putting strain on the relationship. Fortunately, there is a range of treatments available, and the GPs at Yarra Medical, like Dr Ed Skinner, specialise in this area and can give advise based on your particular circumstances.
What is premature ejaculation?
Premature ejaculation refers to a lack of control over ejaculation, causing it to occur sooner than the man or his partner wants. This could mean ejaculating as soon as foreplay begins, when trying to insert the penis, or within one minute of penetration.
There are two types of premature ejaculation:
- Lifelong PE, in which symptoms have been present since a man’s first sexual experience.
- Acquired PE, in which symptoms arise after a period of normal sexual activity.
Occasional premature ejaculation is perfectly normal. This is quite common if it’s a man’s first time or if he hasn’t ejaculated for a lengthy period. PE only becomes a problem when it occurs frequently and causes the man or his partner distress.
What causes premature ejaculation?
Many think that PE is caused only by psychological issues, and until recently that was the prevailing view. It’s now considered a possibility that some men may have PE as a result of a chemical imbalance in the part of the brain that controls ejaculation (particularly for those who suffer from lifelong PE).
Of course, there can still be psychological causes behind PE, such as:
- Stress
- Relationship issues
- Anxiety about being rejected
- Anxiety about performance
- Expectations of failure
- Sexual abuse in childhood
High blood pressure and side effects of certain medications can also be responsible for acquired PE.
How is PE treated?
There are several forms of treatment for premature ejaculation. The most appropriate one depends on the patient and their particular underlying causes. Dr Ed Skinner of Yarra Medical specialises in erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation and has advised many men suffering from this rather common condition.
Where is Yarra Medical located?
Yarra Medical has two clinics: the Richmond centre is located near the corner of Burnley and Victoria Streets, and the Abbotsford Clinic can be found in The Hive Shopping Centre.
Both centres have tram stops located conveniently out the front. Ample parking can be found within The Hive Shopping Centre for the Abbotsford clinic; for the Richmond clinic parking can be found at the nearby Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre.
Our online booking system makes it easy and convenient to find a time with one of our GPs at either location.