Technically, PE occurs when you ejaculate less than a few minutes after you start penetrative sex. More generally, PE is when you ejaculate much sooner than you or your partner wishes. In severe cases, it may even happen before sexual intercourse. PE can negatively affect one’s sex life and may be referred to as early ejaculation, rapid ejaculation, or premature climax. PE is one of the most common sexual dysfunctions you may encounter.

Premature ejaculation has a number of different causes, including psychological factors like concern over your sexual performance (aka sexual performance anxiety), relationship problems, stress, or depression, as well as some physical factors, like a hormonal imbalance or an infection in your urethra or prostate. In many cases, the cause cannot be determined. All of these factors can cause problems ejaculating, including premature or early ejaculation, which can impact your sexual relationships and encounters.

There are several prescription, over-the-counter and home remedies that all can be effective in treating PE. The best option for you depends on your specific situation, but these are a few of the most popular options:

• SSRIs: Also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, prescription medications like dapoxetine (Priligy®) and sertraline have been shown to be effective in treating premature ejaculation.

• PDE5 inhibitors: ED medications, such as sildenafil (generic for Viagra®) or tadalafil (generic for Cialis®), can be used to treat both premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. If you ejaculate too quickly, this may be the option for you, especially if you also struggle with getting erections, maintaining them, or achieving another one after your refractory period.

• Anesthetic creams or sprays: Topical anesthetics are a popular choice for management of premature ejaculation because they are over-the-counter and since they aren’t ingested, they don’t have systemic effects on your body, which reduces the risk of experiencing systemic side effects.

• Stop-start or edging: This is a method of training your body to recognize when you are about to ejaculate during sexual stimulation, so that you can stop stimulation for a time to delay ejaculation for longer during sexual intercourse.

• Sex therapy: Starting behavioral therapy with a licensed mental health provider, such as a psychiatrist or sex therapist, can help you to work through any psychological reasons that you might be experience premature ejaculation.

• Squeeze technique: The squeeze method is simply putting pressure on your penis when you are close to ejaculating to decrease arousal.

• Kegel exercises: Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can help you to control the muscles around your urethra, which studies show can help with premature ejaculation.

• Masturbation: Masturbating before sexual intercourse can help you to last longer during sexual activity

There are non-prescription treatment options for PE, but to get a prescription treatment, you must first see a healthcare provider, who can determine if a prescription is appropriate for you. Discussing premature ejaculation with a healthcare provider can also help improve outcomes (especially if there are underlying medical conditions causing PE). Some medications available through our platform for the treatment of premature ejaculation, such as PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like dapoxetine, are only available with a prescription by a licensed healthcare provider.

It depends. PE treatment can improve your sexual experiences if you have a sexual problem on the PE spectrum. talk with a medical provider to find out if PE treatment could help improve your sexual function.

Lifelong PE is an innate, lifelong low threshold for orgasm that often results in a consistent very short time to ejaculation and a sense that you can’t control climax. This is on the serious end of the PE spectrum and typically will not subside without professional help. The signs include coming during early foreplay, with minimal sexual stimulation, or within the first 1-3 minutes of sexual intercourse. There are a range of interventions proven to help in management of premature ejaculation so it does not affect your sex life.